By Matt Noonan
The Amherst College Lord Jeffs and Trinity College (Conn.) Bantams remains unbeaten at the halfway point of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) season.
Amherst (4-0) captured its fourth straight contest on Saturday, defeating Colby College, 31-13.
The win marked the Jeffs’ 15th consecutive victory dating back to their 2013 campaign (the victory marked the longest winning streak in program history).
Amherst overcame a scoreless opening frame by posting 17 second quarter points. Amherst, which led by three-scores (17-0) at the break, would tack on additional 14 points in the second half – one touchdown in each quarter – to secure the win.
Senior Jackson McGonagle broke a 73-year-old program recorded with a 78-yard punt return in the third quarter. The initial record – established by Roland Smith in 1942 – was a 74-yard punt return in a contest against rival Williams College.
Trinity (4-0) picked up its fourth win by edging Tufts University (3-1) in overtime on a 25-yard touchdown reception from sophomore Sonny Puzzo to classmate Bryan Vieira.
The Bantams extended the contest into overtime by capping a 13-play, 71 yard drive with a 27-yard field goal by senior Kyle Pulek with six seconds remaining.
Both teams are scheduled to compete in three weeks on Saturday, November 7 when Amherst hosts Trinity in what could be the de-facto NESCAC championship contest at 1:00 p.m. Amherst captured the NESCAC crown last year, finishing their eight-game slate undefeated.
