MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – The Bowdoin College football team won its first game of the 2025, upsetting first-place Wesleyan 25-17 on the road Saturday afternoon. The Polar Bears (1-5) earn their first win in Middletown since 2008 while the Cardinals fall to 4-2 on the season with the loss.
 
Game Highlights

• The Polar Bears struck early, scoring on their first offensive play of the game as Soren Hummel found Michael Wolfendale over the middle. Wolfendale caught the ball 20 yards downfield and outraced the defense for a 78-yard touchdown and 7-0 lead just 2:33 into the game.
• Bowdoin's defense kept Wesleyan off the scoreboard until late in the second quarter when they held strong inside their own 10 and forced a 24-yard field goal that trimmed the lead to 7-3.
• After another strong defensive stand by the defense, a Bowdoin fumble gave Wesleyan the ball at their own 8 with just 55 seconds left before halftime. The Cardinals cashed in with a four-yard pass to take a 10-7 lead at the break.
• Bowdoin wouldn't go away, however, as a 15-point third quarter gave the Polar Bears the lead for good.
• The Polar Bears mounted their best drive of the season – a 10-play, 77-yard drive – to open the third quarter and scored on a 19-yard pass from Hummel to Conrad Babka at 9:59 of the third quarter.
• Late in the third quarter, a Caden Perry punt deep into Wesleyan territory was muffed by the Cardinals and recovered by Ferris Collins at the 10 yard line. Three plays later Hummel found Cole Daignault in the corner of the end zone for another touchdown and 20-10 lead. The PAT snap was high, forcing a scramble by the Polar Bears, but Jake Gaylord caught a desperation heave by holder Jake Boselli for a two-point conversion and 22-10 advantage.
• Wesleyan cut into the lead with a six-yard touchdown pass, capping a 10-play drive, with 9:34 to go to make it 22-17.
• However, a pair of huge fourth quarter interceptions by Ferris Collins, along with a 20-yard field goal by Perry, helped seal the victory for Bowdoin.

By The Numbers

• Soren Hummel finished 19-31 for 211 yards and three touchdowns for Bowdoin, with Michael Wolfendale catching four passes for 117 of that, and a score.
• Ferris Collins finished with eight tackles along with the two big fourth-quarter picks, and the forced fumble and recovery on special teams.
• Zach Taylor was all over the field, making 12 total tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, while Angus Leary had 2.0 sacks and eight QB hurries.
• The Polar Bears held Wesleyan to just 23 yards rushing in the contest and forced four turnovers on the day.
• Caden Perry hit a field goal and punted six times, averaging 35.3 yards with three downed inside the Wesleyan 20.
• The win was the second in the last four years for Bowdoin against the Cardinals, but the first in Connecticut since the 2008 season.

Up Next

• Bowdoin will return to Whittier Field next Saturday against Trinity. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m.