The Middlebury football team returns to the gridiron on Saturday, September 13 at Wesleyan. The Panthers finished with a 6-3 record a season ago and look to contend for their third NESCAC Title in the last six years.

Offensively, Middlebury welcomes back several top performers, including Brian Moran, Connor McClellan, Mike Ahonen and Jeremy Kiefer. Moran led a unit that ranked third in the conference in total offense (354.8 yards per contest) and touchdowns (27). He established career-high marks in passing yards (1,978) and was second in the league in touchdown passes with 16. Moran was tabbed the NESCAC Offensive Player of the Week, leading Middlebury to a come-from-behind triumph against Trinity with career-best totals in passing yards (313) and touchdowns (three). 

McClellan ranked third in the NESCAC with seven rushing scores alongside 430 yards rushing. He earned the New England Football Writers/Grinold Chapter Gold Helmet and the NESCAC Offensive Player of the Week following his three-touchdown performance in a 32-29 overtime triumph over Williams. A captain this fall, Ahonen was second on the squad with four receiving touchdowns and third with 392 yards a year ago. Kiefer ranked in the top-four spots for the Panthers in catches (19), receiving yards (202) and scores (three).

The defensive side of the ball brings back a solid nucleus. Teaming up on the second level will be linebackers Matt Shaw and Owen Thornton, both of whom are captains. Shaw led the unit a year ago in tackles (60) and solo stops (44), while ranking second in tackles for loss (nine) and quarterback hurries (six). Thornton accumulated 28 stops, highlighted by a career-best seven against Bowdoin. The linebacker also recovered a fumble in the triumph over Trinity.

The trio of Shane Johnson, Charlie Ozolin and Charlie Grant all return to the  defensive backfield. Johnson appeared in all nine contests a season ago, tallying 34 tackles, 19 solo stops and two pass breakups. Ozolin pulled in a squad-best four interceptions in seven contests. He accumulated 23 tackles with 20 of them being unassisted. Grant is a dual threat, making an impact on both defense and special teams. The Panther collected a career-best 11 tackles with nine solo stops in a win over Colby. He is also a presence as a returner on the kickoff and punt teams.

Mandigo returns for his third season at the helm and 19th overall. He welcomes back coordinators Ryan Paquette (defense), Jason Thomas (offense) and assistant coaches Gus Brakeley, Dave Caputi ’81, Anthony Marsella and Dennis Smith. Kevin Woodring ‘20 joins the staff this year.