The 2000 Middlebury football team won a share of the NESCAC Championship with a dominating 7-1 season. The Panthers opened with a win over Bowdoin, before dropping their only game of the year at Colby. From that point on, Middlebury allowed a mere six points on two field goals the rest of the season, shutting out Amherst, Williams, Bates and Tufts. The Panthers allowed only 48 points in 2000, fourth-fewest in NESCAC history. The season was the final one for Middlebury Athletics Hall of Fame Coach Mickey Heinecken, who finished his 28-year career with 126 wins.
 
Senior running back Bryan Sanchez had a record-breaking year, setting school marks for most rushes (234) and yards (1,183) in a season, to go along with 10 touchdowns and a league-best 147.9 yards rushing/game. He is Middlebury's all-time leader with 2,929 yards on the ground and 602 carries.
 
Junior quarterback Scott Roberts completed 81-153 passes for 829 yards with eight touchdowns, hitting his top target, senior Devon O'Neil, 36 times for 431 yards and three scores.
 
Senior linebacker Andy Steele had a dominate season, setting a school record (at the time) with 91 tackles, to go along with nine tackles for loss, six sacks and five forced fumbles. He is currently second all-time at Middlebury with 305 tackles.