MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — Recovering from a 14-0 first-quarter deficit, Wesleyan took a 21-20 lead in the third period and added a fourth-quarter touchdown to hold off Bates for a 28-20 victory in football action Saturday.

The Cardinals (2-2) never led until junior Steve Hauser caught his third touchdown pass of the contest, a four-yarder to the left-front corner of the endzone which he went high to spear from sophomore quarterback Blake DuBois.

The Bobcats (0-4) went the distance on its opening possession, driving 62 yards on 12 plays as senior Tom Beaton galloped three yards to the left on a gadget play with 9:08 left in the first quarter.

With Wesleyan holding a tenuous 21-20 lead into the fourth quarter, Bates got near midfield on two possessions, but was forced to punt on the first while the second resulted in a 54-yard interception return for a touchdown by sophomore linebacker Cyprian Oyomba.

Maine Maritime 41, Massachusetts Maritime 34

BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. — Senior fullback Jim Bower of South Paris rushed for 255 yards on 41 carries and scored four touchdowns to lift Maine Maritime to a 41-34 NEFC victory over Massachusetts Maritime Saturday afternoon at Clean Harbors Stadium.

Senior Mike Riley paced the Mariners (5-1) defensively with 10 solo tackles, while junior Wade Mondoux added eight solo stops and a sack.

The Buccaneers (2-5) rallied for 21 points in the fourth quarter as Deonte Fielder scored a 51-yard pass from Matt Spinzzola, and a five-yard rushing play before Douglas Dyke rushed from two-yards out. Junior Jake Bickley added the point-after on all three scoring drives.

Following Dyke’s two-yard rush, Bickley attempted an on-side kick in an effort to provide a game-tying possession opportunity. But, the ball went through a total of six players on both teams and out of bounds, and Maine Maritime ran out the final 84 seconds to claim the win.