With just 21 seconds left on the clock, Brian Moran found Mike Ahonen for a nine-yard touchdown, and Zach Levy split the uprights to secure the Middlebury football team's 24-21 victory over Trinity. With the triumph, the Panthers snap the Bantams nine-game unbeaten streak that dated back to last fall. This marked the second-straight year that Middlebury handed Trinity its first loss of the season, spoiling a 15-game unbeaten span for the Bantams a year ago.
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• The Panthers struck first when Moran hooked up with Liam High for a 32-yard scoring strike. Levy converted the extra point for the 7-0 edge with 7:05 left in the opening stanza. 
• Trinity responded on its ensuing drive, as Zander Zebrowski connected with Nolan O'Brien on a 47-yard touchdown reception. Matthew Jumes followed with a PAT to knot the contest at 7-7.
• The Bantams took a 14-7 lead with less than four minutes remaining in the quarter. Trinity marched its way down the field as Zebrowski competed several short passes before eventually rushing into the endzone himself on a three-yard jaunt. Another extra point by Jumes put the visitors in front after one stanza of action.
• Middlebury deadlocked the contest during the second quarter on a nine-play, 63-yard drive spanning 4:12 of action. Moran hooked up with Carter Stockwell for a nine-yard touchdown reception and Levy's attempt was good to make it 14 points apiece.
• The Bantams would not back down, scoring on their next possession with a Max Roche three-yard TD catch. Jumes converted his third extra point for the 21-14 edge at the halftime break.
• Trinity looked to extend its advantage early in the third quarter on fourth-and-one at the Panther 28-yard line, but Tomás Kenary hurried Zebrowski and Sean Link broke up the pass to turn the Bantams over on downs. Teddy Daniel denied Zebrowski on Trinity's next possession, forcing the visitors to punt around midfield. 
• Levy booted a 20-yard field goal through the sticks to start the final frame, cutting the deficit to four (21-17). 
• With 11:18 left in the fourth quarter, Matt Shaw forced a fumble at the Middlebury 28-yard line and Owen Thornton recovered the loose ball. The Panthers hoped to take advantage of the turnover, but a strong Trinity defense sacked Moran on third down and forced Middlebury to punt.
• The hosts began the game-winning drive with 2:36 left on the clock. The Panthers took a timeout with fourth-and-one on the Bantam 39-yard line, and Connor McClellan was able to push the pile three yards for a fresh set of downs with just over a minute to go. Jeremy Kiefer had a 24-yard reception, as Middlebury declined a pass interference penalty, putting the Panthers in the redzone. As the clock wound down, Moran connected with Ahonen in the back-right corner of the endzone for the winningtouchdown reception. Levy converted the PAT to give Middlebury a 24-21 edge.
• The Bantams had a final chance to comeback. Looking at third-and-10 at their own 30-yard line, Zebrowski dropped back for the Hail Mary, but Kenary brought the pressure and Rocco Stola was at the Middlebury 34-yard line to break up the attempt and seal the 24-21 win.

NOTES

• Over the last 26 games, the Panthers are the only team to top Trinity, snapping a 15-game win streak a year ago and a 9-0 run this fall.
• Moran set career highs in passing yards (313) and touchdowns (three), while Kiefer set personal bests in receiving yards (104) and longest reception (62 yards).
• With one field goal today, Levy moves into a tie for second place with 19 for his career. 
• Stola had a pair of pass breakups in the game, rising into a first-place tie in the Middlebury record book with 25 in his career. 
• The Panthers have now won five-consecutive games.

Middlebury hits the road next weekend, traveling to Bates for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff on Saturday.