CLINTON, N.Y. — The Bates football team ended its season on a down note Saturday, as the Bobcats were shut out for the first time all season in a 14-0 loss at Hamilton.
The Bobcats (2-6) squandered early chances, with a punt after driving into Hamilton territory on their first drive and a missed 29-yard field goal by Grant DeWald on their second.
After a three-and-out by the Continentals (2-6) Bates got the ball back at the Hamilton 45-yard line with 40 seconds left in the first quarter, but Brent Lobien forced a Patrick Dugan fumble to give Hamilton the ball back one play later
Bates sniffed Hamilton territory just once more in the game, but a sack soured a Bobcats drive late in the second half.
Hamilton scored both its touchdowns in the second quarter, with each resulting from a Bates fumble. Jason Nastovski ran in from 3 yards out eight plays after Dugan’s late first-quarter fumble. Nick Sobczyk later recovered a Dugan fumble in the end zone with three minutes remaining before halftime. Zachary Altneu was successful on both of his extra-point attempts.
Bates was held to 104 total yards of offense, while Hamilton compiled 227. The Bobcats had just one first down and 11 yards total in the second half. Dugan was 7-of-12 passing for 56 yards, finding Mark Riley four times for 38 yards. Frank Williams ran six times for a team-high 25 yards.
Cole Freeman was 14-for-25 passing for Hamilton, throwing for 105 yards. His favorite target was Pat Donahoe, as they connected six times for 53 yards. Marcus Gutierrez ran 16 times for a game-high 85 yards.
The Continentals closed out the game with an 11-minute drive that lasted 17 plays – all runs.
Hamilton sacked Dugan four times, including two by Lobien. The Continentals held the NESCAC’s third-ranked rushing offense to 48 yards on 44 attempts.
Mark Upton led the Bobcats defense with 13 tackles, including his fourth sack of the season, to go along with an interception.
With Hamilton’s victory, the all-time series between the two teams is now knotted up at 19-19.
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