College roundup: Bates gets first win of '09

LEWISTON — Bates defensive end Tyler Kuehl intercepted a pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown to lift the Bobcats to a 28-24 victory over Bowdoin in a CBB football matchup Saturday.

Under pressure from defensive tackle Devin Horvath, backup quarterback R.J. Shea's pass on third and nine from the Bowdoin 31 was tipped at the line of scrimmage by Kuehl. The lineman gathered the ball and rumbled 25 yards for the go-ahead score, only a minute after the Bobcats (1-6) had closed the gap to 24-21 on Matt Gregg's 23-yard touchdown reception.

For Bates, freshman quarterback Trevor Smith was outstanding again in his second career start, completing 21 of 31 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for a team-high 29 yards.

Shea took over for the Polar Bear's (2-6) senior quarterback, Oliver Kell, after Kell was injured on a quarterback keeper at the start of the third quarter.

Colby 34, Tufts 31

WATERVILLE — Nick Kmetz threw four touchdown passes to three different receivers in the second half as Colby snagged a 34-31 victory over Tufts in the home finale at Seaverns Field at Harold Alfond Stadium Saturday.

The Jumbos (2-5) appeared to take control of the game when Pat Bailey broke free for a 94-yard touchdown run with 9:01 left in the third quarter for a 21-7 Tufts lead. But, Kmetz ignited the jet engines and put on an aerial show over the remainder of the game.

The Mules (4-3) immediately drove down the field, and Kmetz connected with Matt Hellinger on a 26-yard pass play. Tufts took a chance on a 4th-and-1 at midfield on the next drive, but Colby's defense held to take over on downs. Seven plays later, Kmetz found tight end Nat Carson for another 26-yard scoring pass to tie the game at 21-21.

Patrick Burns caught a 29-yard touchdown pass, and Hellinger contributed another touchdown on a 41-yard scoring pass as Colby collected 13 points in the fourth quarter. Tufts managed one final touchdown, but had only put up a field goal earlier in the quarter, the difference in the contest.