MIDDLEBURY, Vt. — Sporadic offense made life difficult again for Bates football Saturday afternoon.

And four turnovers made winning imposssible.

Led by Matt Milano’s career-high four touchdown passes, Middlebury cruised to a 35-6 win at Alumni Stadium.

Bates (1-4) fell into an early hole and never recovered.

Nate Leedy’s interception at the Bates 33-yard line led to a quick score by the Panthers. Middlebury immediately went skyward for a touchdown hookup from Milano to Brandon Rankowitz.

The Bobcats battled back to tie it on the strength of its longest offensive play in more than 10 years.

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Back in the lineup after missing the Wesleyan contest, senior quarterback Matt Cannone located Mike Tomaino on a 74-yard catch and run. The extra point failed, and Middlebury stayed on top, 7-6.

The play accounted for a big chunk of Bates’ 185 total yards.

From there, the Panthers stayed on the prowl.

Milano (29 for 43, 287 yards) used play action to set up a 21-yard TD strike to Matt Minno with 12:35 remaining in the half.

Addison Pierce’s tackle stopped Bates’ next march on fourth-and-1 at the Middlebury 32. 

For the second consecutive week, an opponent’s touchdown in the final minute of the half deflated the Bobcats. Jake Vacovec pounced on a bad snap in the end zone for the points with 31 seconds remaining.

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All told, Middlebury’s first-half scoring possessions used up just over a minute.

Middlebury kept up the pace with pass-happy scoring march in the third quarter. Ian Riley’s catch on fourth down led to a 2-yard TD toss from Milano to Rankowitz.

Vacovec intercepted Cannone to start the fourth quarter.

Milano and Minno connected for a 30-yard score to punctuate the Panthers’ win.

Rankowitz and Minno combined for a dozen catches. Ivan Reese had 43 yards to lead the Bobcats’ ground game.

Mark Upton made 11 tackles and forced a fumble for Bates, which hosts Colby next Saturday.


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