Middlebury scored on three of its last four possessions but it wasn't enough, as Colby (1-1) held on for a 38-27 win over the Panthers (1-1) on Alfond Field. The Mules out-gained the Panthers 469-377 on the day, while holding a 38:10 to 21:50 advantage in time of possession. Each team turned the ball over four times on the afternoon.

After a scoreless first quarter, Colby built a 14-0 lead in the second quarter. Middlebury got into Colby territory three times in the quarter, but entered the halftime break with a 14-0 deficit.

An interception by Connor Green set up Middlebury's first score of the game, as Andrew Plumley scored from three yards out after a 17 yard run to make it a 14-7 game.

Colby fumbled away its next possession, but then scored on the next two, taking a 28-7 lead early in the fourth quarter.

The Mules then fumbled a punt, with John Wiet recovering at the Colby 45. Donald McKillop completed passes to three different receivers, as Gary Cooper scored the touchdown with a 24-yard reception.

Middlebury turned the ball over on its next possession, with Colby taking advantage with a 36-yard field goal from David Bendit to make it a 31-14 game with 6:09 left to play.

The Panthers quickly answered, as McKillop hit David Reed for 30 yards before scoring on a keeper from six yards out to cut the lead to 31-21.

Colby gained some breathing room, recovering an onside kick and driving just 31 yards to take a 38-21 advantage at the 4:37 mark.

Middlebury hung tough, driving 70 yards in 1:12 to make it a 38-27 final. McKillop hit Zach Driscoll for 50 yards on the drive, while finding Matt Rayner from four-yards out for the game's final score at 3:19.

McKillop went 32 of 52 for 312 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, while Plumley gained 40 yards on a dozen carries with a TD. Driscoll (8 rec., 99 yds.), Reed (7 rec., 88 yds.) and Plumley (7 rec., 58 yds.) led the receivers, while Cooper and Rayner each found paydirt. Carl Culicchia, Paul Carroll and Andrew Poulin each had eight tackles, while Wiet had six with a sack and a fumble recovery. Green finished the day with six tackles, three pass break-ups and a pick.

Conor Tidgewell led the Colby ground game with 91 yards on 22 carries, while Nick Kmetz earned 68 yards on 22 attempts. He also completed 14 of 30 passes for 259 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Patrick Burns led the Mule receivers with 93 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions. Ryan Murphy led all tacklers with nine, while Derrick Beasley had a pair of interceptions.

BOX SCORE