The annual Colby-Bates-Bowdoin round robin starts this week, with Colby going to Lewiston to take on Bates. This is the part of the season the three rivals look forward to the most.
“It sure means a lot,” Colby head coach Jonathan Michaeles said. “It’s going to be a heck of a game.”
Last season, the series ended in a three-way tie for the third time in the last five years. Colby defeated Bates, Bates defeated Bowdoin, and Bowdoin defeated Colby. That meant the trophy stayed at Bates, which won the title in 2012.
The series continues next week when Bates plays at Bowdoin. It ends on Nov. 8, when Bowdoin plays at Colby.
Both Colby and Bates enter this week’s game with a 1-4 record. Colby last won the CBB title in 2005 and, to have a chance at the crown this season, the Mules defense must contend with a solid Bates running attack.
“Bates is one of the better running teams (in the New England Small College Athletic Conference),” Michaeles said. “They commit to running the ball.”
Even so, the Bobcats average just 2.2 yards per carry, and will throw the ball. Receiver Mark Riley is second in the NESCAC in receiving yards, with 349 and three touchdowns.
“They’ve got some threats on the perimeter,” Michaeles said.
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Colby’s 47-14 win over Hamilton on Saturday was its first victory of the season, and by far its best game. The Mules put up 452 yards of total offense, and forced four turnovers, including three interceptions.
“Things just went our way,” Michaeles said.
Sophomore quarterback Gabe Harrington had his best start to date, completing 13 of 20 passes for 225 yards and four touchdowns in the first half. Harrington now has 877 yards passing, fifth most in the NESCAC.
“He definitely developed some confidence,” Michaeles said of Harrington. “We faced some pretty good secondaries prior to this. We saw a lot more open space (against Hamilton).”
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Husson has a big game on Saturday at Castleton. The Eagles are 4-1, and 3-0 and alone in first place in the Eastern Collegeiate Football Conference. The Eagles are winning with defense.
Husson has surrendered just 78 points, and is ranked 14th in NCAA Division III in total defense, allowing 245.6 yards per game. The Eagles are ranked 26th in Division III in points per game allowed, 15.6. Husson is ranked 32nd in the country in third down defense, allowing opponents to convert on third down just 20 times in 68 tries (.294). The Eagles are tied with the NESCAC’s Trinity for fewest first downs allowed in the nation, 62.
Senior safety Stephen Dance leads Husson with 46 tackles.
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Maine Maritime Academy earned its first New England Football Conference win of the season last week, beating Coast Guard, 13-7. This week, the Mariners (2-3, 1-2 NEFC) try to make it two wins in a row at Nichols (1-6, 0-4).
Maine Maritime leads Division III in rushing yards, averaging 402.2 yards per game on the ground. Lawrence grad Jake Doolan leads the Mariners with 647 yards on 72 carries.
Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242
Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM
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