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HARTFORD, CT—In perhaps the best NESCAC football game in
recent memory, the Williams College Ephs (0-2) lost a heartbreaker
to the Trinity Bantams (2-0). In a triple-overtime shootout
featuring a combined 86 points from the two teams, Trinity finally
got the best of the never-say-die Ephs, winning by a score of
46-40.
Williams jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter only to
watch it evaporate in the second quarter as the Bantams scored
three times, culminating in a 6-yard scramble by quarterback Eric
McGrath as time expired in the half to give Trinity a 20-14
lead.
A relatively uneventful third quarter gave way to a wild
fourth. A field goal by Williams made it 20-17, but a Joe
Clark touchdown reception lengthened Trinity's lead to 10.
Clark's stellar performance was matched by junior Ryan Powell for
the Ephs, who caught a TD pass from Lucy to pull the Ephs to within
3. After a Trinity field goal making it 30-24 in favor of the
Bantams, Pat Lucy and Co. put together a clutch fourth quarter
scoring drive ending in a touchdown pass to senior running back
Kevin Flynn, tying the game at 30 with under 15 seconds to
play.
Needing only to convert the PAT to win the game, a bad snap lead
to a Williams fumble, giving the Bantams new life as the two teams
headed to overtime.
In overtime an already action-laden game would become more
so. Both teams would have to settle for field goals in the
first OT, but after winning the coin toss before the second
overtime, Trinity would punch one into the end zone on a run by
Jordan Quinones. Needing a touchdown to stay alive, Williams
looked like they might finally be out of gas as for their first
three downs they couldn't budge the line of scrimmage. On
fourth and 10 on the Trinity 25 yard line though, Pat Lucey
reminded everyone that he was Pat Lucey, connecting with Ace Norris
in the end zone to keep the Ephs alive, evening the score at 40
apiece.
The third and final overtime would bring an abrupt end to an epic
game. After winning the toss, Williams would again find
themselves in a fourth and 10 situation on the Trinity 25-yard
line, however this time the Ephs had dug themselves too deep a hole
as they turned the ball over on downs. Upon taking over on
offense, Trinity would surprise everyone with a shocking 25-yard
touchdown pass to Clark on the very first play of their offensive
possession, giving the Bantams their much anticipated revenge.
Williams coach Mike Whalen understandably expressed mixed emotions
after the game.
"The team competed very well, we definitely had chances to win,
and obviously Trinity is a very, very good football team. At
the same time, we still have a zero in the win column."
Still, however, Whalen acknowledged many positives.
"We demonstrated today that we can be a very good football team
when we have all 75 guys practicing with a purpose like we did this
week."
Having Pat Lucey in practice all week also helped. When
asked how he'd rank Lucey among the quarterbacks he's seen in his
career, coach Whalen quipped, "I'm not trading him anytime
soon. It's scary when you realize he's probably not even
quite a hundred percent yet."
Lucey's 341 yards passing and three touchdown passes were
accompanied by excellent performances by Eph running back Brian
Morrissey (124 yards on 31 carries, including two touchdowns in the
first quarter), and receiver Ryan Powell who caught 11 passes for
175 yards and a TD.
For the Bantams it was all Joe Clark, whose 6 catches for 101
yards included four TD catches, one of which was the
game-winner.
Williams will look to grab their first win next Saturday with a
home contest against Bates. Game time is set for 1:00 pm.
