Courtesy Middlebury Sports Information
BRUNSWICK, ME. — After a turnover on its opening possession, Middlebury (2-0) scored its next four drives, picking up a 41-14 win over Bowdoin (0-2). The Panthers return home next weekend with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff against Colby.
Middlebury took a 7-0 lead on a four-yard touchdown run by Matt Cardew with 3:28 remaining in the first quarter. The drive was set up by a 24-yard scamper from quarterback Jared Lebowitz.
Lebowitz connected with Maxwell Rye for an eight-yard scoring strike at the 13:43 mark of the second quarter, the first touchdown catch of his career. On its next possession, Middlebury went up 21-0 when Lebowitz found Maxim Bochman for a 13-yard touchdown connection. Lebowitz hooked up with Frank Cosolito twice for 31 yards on the drive.
Lebowitz found Conrado Banky for his third touchdown pass of the first half, this one coming on a 48-yard strike.
The Panthers found pay dirt on their second possession of the third quarter, as Lebowitz hit Jimmy Connell for his first career reception, a 25-yard touchdown pass.
The lead grew to 41-0 at the 2:27 mark of the third quarter when Charlie Ferguson scored his first career touchdown with a five-yard scamper.
Bowdoin scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to make it a 41-14 final.
Middlebury racked up 528 yards of total offense on the day, including 192 on the ground.
Lebowitz connected on 20-26 passes for 316 yards with four touchdown passes and 54 yards rushing. Cardew finished with 74 yards on the ground, while Ferguson gained 44 yards on seven carries with a touchdown. Banky caught five passes for 101 yards and a touchdown as 11 different Panthers caught passes in the game. Aaron Slodowitz led the defense with seven tackles, while Kevin Hopsicker had six solo stops.
Griff Stalcup went 12-21 for Bowdoin, throwing for 105 yards and rushing for 54 and a score. Nate Richman paced the Polar Bear rushers with 67 yards on 14 carries with a touchdown. Latif Armiyaw led all tackles with nine stops, including two tackles for lost yardage.
The victory was the fourth straight for Middlebury over Bowdoin.