Colby (2-3) scored the last 14 points of the game on its way to a 28-14 win over Middlebury (1-4) Saturday afternoon in Maine. The Panthers return to action in one week when they visit Wesleyan for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
Middlebury scored on its opening drive of the game, going 75 yards on 11 plays in 3:32. Peter Scibilia carried the ball six times for 28 yards, while quarterback Will Jernigan connected with Carter Stockwell for 17 yards and Scibilia for nine during the drive. Jernigan earned the touchdown when he scrambled from the pocket and ran to his left, scoring on a 17-yard touchdown run.
Late in the first quarter, Colby drove to the Middlebury one-yard line, before turning the ball over on downs after a big stop by Nate Stewart on a fourth-and-goal play.
The Panthers drove to the Colby 19 late in the half, but were unable to come away with points as they took a 7-0 lead into the locker room.
The Mules scored on their opening 75-yard drive of the second half, with a three-yard rush from Devin Marrocco to tie the game at 7-7.
After a Middlebury punt, Colby went up 14-7 on a three-yard touchdown run by Keon Smart. The drive was set up by a 51-yard punt return by Will Nipon.
The Panthers looked to cut into the lead late in the third quarter, but a 34-yard field goal by Andrew Haas missed wide left.
Middlebury tied the contest 14-14 with 12:27 remaining on an outstanding catch by Isaiah Lizardi from Jernigan on a 22-yard scoring strike. Jernigan found Donovan Wood for 17 yards and Charlie Reinkemeyer for 16 on the drive.
Colby answered on its ensuing drive with a 60-yard touchdown pass from Matt Hersch to Jack Sawyer, putting the hosts ahead 21-14 with 10:56 remaining.
Middlebury came back strong, marching right back down the field, only to have the drive stall on downs on a fourth-and-two play from the Colby seven.
Two plays later, Hersch threw a 15-yard pass to Matt Panker, who broke away for an 89-yard touchdown reception to seal the 28-14 win.
Middlebury amassed over 500 yards of total offense in the game, including 216Â on the ground. The Panthers held a 508-319 advantage in that category.
Jernigan finished with 377 yards of total offense, including 85 yards on the ground with a touchdown. He completed 24-41 passes for 292 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Scibilia gained 81 yards on 18 carries, Wood caught six passes for 85 yards, while Carter Stockwell caught six balls for 57 yards. Jack Pistorius led the defense with eight tackles, 1.5 for lost yardage, while Stewart added seven stops with one TFL.
Hersch went 14-19 for the Mules, throwing for 241 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Sawyer caught five passes for 99 yards with a touchdown. EJ Brister and Nick Donatio each made nine stops for the Mules, with Donatio breaking up three passes.
