The Middlebury football team handed Bowdoin its first loss of the season in a gritty 34-27 victory in front of thousands of fans on Fall Family Weekend. The first half featured an offensive battle between the programs, while the Panther defense clamped down in the second half to help secure the triumph. 
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• Middlebury came out of the gates strong, scoring on a three-play opening drive. Cole Kennon slung a seven-yard pass to Patrick Jamin, before the two connected on a 60-yarder to put the Panthers in position to score. Donovan Wood hauled in a 15-yard touchdown reception and Zach Levy split the uprights for the early 7-0 edge.
• With 10:35 left in the quarter, the Polar Bears took over at their own 26 and marched down the field. The Panthers' defense held Bowdoin inches away from the endzone on back-to-back plays, but quarterback Andrew Boel broke through to score. The extra point by Jotham Casey knotted the contest 7-7.
• Middlebury responded on its next possession, making its way down the field after a touchback on kickoff. Kennon found Cole Crider for a 14-yard scoring strike, and the kick by Levy gave the Panthers a 14-7 lead.
• The first-quarter clock expired with Bowdoin two yards shy of the endzone.Boel tossed the ball to Colton Fahey on the opening play of the second session to score. Casey split the uprights, tying the contest at 14 points apiece.
• John McCool forced a fumble near midfield and recovered the ball with just under 10 minutes left in the half. Middlebury took advantage of its possession as  Walker Coleman broke free for a 51-yard rushing touchdown. Levy gave the Panthers the extra point for the 21-14 edge.
• The Polar Bears wouldn't go away, responding on the ensuing drive. Taking over at their own 18-yard line, Boel eventually connected with Brendan King for a 19-yard scoring strike and the extra point by Casey deadlocked the contest for the third time (21-21).
• With 49 ticks on the clock, Levy converted a 21-yard field goal to give Middlebury a slight 24-21 lead heading into the halftime break.
• With 11:29 showing on the third quarter clock, Casey returned the favor, recording his own 27-yard boot to tie the game at 24 points apiece.
• Middlebury answered on its next drive, as Wood hauled in a 20-yard touchdown pass from Kennon and Levy converted to give the Panthers a 31-24 advantage.
• Casey cut the deficit down to four (31-27) with a 25-yard field goal toward the end of the third stanza.
• With just over 10 minutes left in the final frame, Finn Muldoon robbed the Polar Bears of a game-winning score, picking off a pass in the endzone. 
• Middlebury added some breathing room in the final minutes, as Levy booted a 29-yard field goal through the uprights for a 34-27 lead. 
• Bowdoin looked to march down the field on its final possession, but critical breakups from Rocco Stola, Teddy Daniel and Sam Wilson turned the Polar Bears over on downs and secured the 34-27 triumph for the Panthers. 

NOTES

• Jamin tallied career highs in both receiving yards (185) and longest reception (60 yards), while Coleman had a career-best 70 rushing yards. 
• McCool recorded single-game highs in total tackles (13) and solo stops (eight), while tallying a NESCAC game-high 2.5 tackles for a loss of seven yards.
• With his interception today, Muldoon moves into fourth place on Middlebury's career list with nine total. The Panther also eclipsed the 100 solo tackles mark (101), recording five today.
• Tomás Kenary had one sack for a loss of 12 yards, as he maintains the top spot in the conference with 5.5 sacks for a loss of 56 yards. 
• Levy's 10 points tied for fourth place on Middlebury's single-game list, while Isaiah Izzo Lizardi returned four kickoffs for 94 yards.

 
The Panthers hit the road for two-straight games, traveling to Williams on Saturday for a 2:00 p.m. contest before heading to Trinity the following week.