Middlebury suffered its first loss of the season, falling by a score of 49-13 at Trinity (6-0) on Saturday afternoon. The Bantams entered the game ranked third in New England, while the Panthers (5-1) held the fourth spot. Middlebury returns to action next Saturday with another road game, this one at Hamilton with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.

Middlebury turned the ball over seven times in the game, resulting in four Trinity touchdowns. The Bantams held a 335-235 edge in total yards, holding the Panther passing game to just 126 yards, 208 below its season average. Trinity's strong running game led the way, as the Bantams gained 224 yards on the ground with five rushing touchdowns.

Trinity scored its first touchdown with great field position. Starting from the Panther 34, Max Chipouras took the first handoff and found the back of the end zone for a 7-0 lead.

The Bantams added a second touchdown late in the quarter when quarterback Sonny Puzzo found Bryan Vieria for a 46-yard scoring stroke.

Middlebury linebacker John Jackson intercepted a pass midway through the second quarter, but the Bantams returned the favor on their first play. Trinity took advantage, when Puzzo again hit Vieira, this time from 11 yards out for the 21-0 lead with 4:49 left in the second quarter.

The Panthers fumbled on their next possession, allowing a 25-yard rush from Chipouras into the end zone at the 2:35 mark.

Trailing 28-0, Middlebury got on the board during its first possession of the second half, driving 63 yards on 13 plays. Quarterback Jared Lebowitz found James Burke three times on the drive, including a 14-yard touchdown pass with 9:43 on the clock.

Following a Trinity punt, the Bantams took advantage of a turnover when PJ Dorsey returned an interception 38 yards, leading to a 16-yard scoring rush from Puzzo and a 35-7 lead.

The Bantams scored on a big play with 4:01 remaining in the third quarter, as Chipouras scored on a 62-yard run.

The Panthers answered with an eight-play, 80-yard drive to make it a 42-13 game. Lebowtiz found Conrado Banky for a 42-yard catch before Diego Meritus found pay dirt from two yards out.

Trinity added a fourth quarter touchdown to make it a 49-13 final.

Lebowitz finished the afternoon 12-38 for 126 yards and a touchdown, throwing three interceptions and was sacked five times. Meritus rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, while Drew Jacobs finished with 64 yards on the ground in 15 attempts. Burke caught four passes for 40 yards and a touchdown, while Banky finished with four receptions for 57 yards. Addison Pierce led the Panther defense with 11 tackles, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Puzzo completed 7-14 passes for 111 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Chipouras had a huge day on the ground, gaining 186 yards on 23 carries with three touchdowns. Liam Kenneally led the Bantam defense with eight tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

The 49 points were the most given up by the Panthers since a 50-35 loss in the 2009 season opener to Bowdoin.