CLINTON, N.Y. – The Bowdoin College football team outgained Hamilton, but was victimized by miscues in a season-opening loss to the Continentals on Saturday in their first game since November of 2019.
The Polar Bears (0-1) will look to bounce back in their home opener at Whittier Field against Trinity next Saturday.
Game Highlights
- Bowdoin opened the season with a long kick-off return after the opening whistle that was negated by a holding call, and the Polar Bears and Continentals traded scoreless possessions through a scoreless opening first quarter.
- The Continentals got on the board first, marching 82 yards on ten plays, aided by 20 yards in penalties, to score on a Kamua Hopewell rush from five yards out with 10:01 to go in the second quarter.
- Hamilton looked to add to their 6-0 lead before halftime, but a big sack by Drew Ortiz and Charlie Everhard forced the home team out of scoring position as the Polar Bears trailed just 6-0 at the break.
- Bowdoin stymied another Continental scoring chance early in the third quarter when Will Federico intercepted a pass inside the red zone, but the Polar Bears gave it right back with a fumble at midfield three plays later.
- From there, Hamilton cashed in on six straight rush plays to the endzone, scoring on a Justin Moran one-yard plunge at 6:03, with an extra point to make it 13-0.
- Bowdoin picked up the pace offensively after that, and posted their most impressive drive of the day, scoring on a nine-play, 71-yard drive in just 3:43 as Stalcup weaved through the defense to scramble in from eight yards out. The big play on the drive was a 21-yard strike from Stalcup to Bo Millett that put Bowdoin into Hamilton territory.
- The Polar Bears drove into Hamilton territory twice in the fourth quarter with chances to take the lead, but a long touchdown pass from Stalcup to Colton Fahey was wiped out due to holding and, later in the quarter, a missed field goal gave the ball back to Hamilton with 6:52 to go.
- Hamilton sealed it with a late field goal, making it 16-7 with 36 seconds remaining.
By The Numbers
- Bowdoin outgained Hamilton 290 yards to 210, but was victimized by three turnovers and nine penalties for 85 yards.
- First-year tailback Andre Eden was outstanding, rushing for 106 yards on 22 carries in his collegiate debut while Stalcup went 13-21 for 141 yards through the air and also rushed for 37 yards and a score.
- Bo Millett led Bowdoin with four catches for 58 yards.
- Defensively, Dan Fiore had a team-high eight tackles while Ty Jones-Garland had seven. Bowdoin held Hamilton to just 57 yards passing on the day and forced five punts.
- The Polar Bears went 3-9 on third down and 0-3 on fourth down in the loss.
Up Next
- Bowdoin will host Trinity at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Whittier Field in the first home game of the season.