With a stifling pass defense and a few well-timed big plays, the Jeffs came back from a first half deficit to knock off the White Mules by scoring 21 unanswered points.
Colby entered the game as the only unbeaten team in the NESCAC, and they sported a high flying passing attack that had racked up more yards than any other team in the league. The Jeffs countered with the top-ranked defense, but Amherst knew that the game was going to be a high scoring affair.
Colby struck first after both teams missed field goal attempts on their opening possessions. Colby took advantage of a tipped ball catch to keep their second drive alive and then scored on a five-yard pass early in the second quarter.
On the ensuing kick-off the Mules made their first mistake of the day by kicking the ball to Tri-captain Brian Daoust '01. Daoust took the kick at his five, got a nice block and then weaved his way up the sideline before finally being knocked out of bounds 60 yards later.
The return shifted the momentum back to Amherst, and on the next play the Jeffs scored. The touchdown came when Okey Ugwonali '02 took a pitch, ran to his right and then cut back up the field for an untouched 35-yard run.
It was the first of two touchdowns on the day for Ugwonali, who finished with 113 yards on 18 carries.
Head Coach E.J. Mills praised Ugwonali for the improvement he has made this year.
"We're trying to get him to be more consistent, but when he's on, he's on. He's beginning to mature as a player and he's starting to make people miss in the secondary," Mills said.
The rest of the quarter was a defensive battle that featured an interception by Daoust, who had two in the game, and now has three for the season.
The Jeffs' defense suffered its only real breakdown of the game with under two minutes left in the half. Colby took the ball at its own 20, completed a 25 yard pass to the Amherst 45, and then found receiver Danny Noyse running open across the middle for a 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown. The Jeffs then missed another field goal attempt as the half expired.
Down at the half for the second straight game, the Lord Jeffs came out with new determination in the second half against Colby.
"I told the guys at half[time] not to panic and that we were going to be OK. We had good field position several times in the first half, but didn't take advantage," Mills said.
When Peter Honig '01 was intercepted on the first play of the third quarter, Colby was given the opportunity to take control. It was the Jeff defense, however, that took control from that point on.
Defensive lineman Pat McGee '02, who has been overpowering offensive lineman all year, registered an eight-yard sack, and then Daoust broke up a third-down pass attempt as the Mules were forced to punt. McGee was named the NESCAC Player of the Week for his play.
"There was a sudden change in the half, but our guys sucked it up and got it done defensively. McGee's got a great combination of speed, strength and desire and he made some great plays when we needed them," said Mills.
Despite the great defensive stand, the Jeffs were still faced with a first and 10 from their own nine yard line after the punt. It was then that Amherst went to the connection that has worked so well the last three years. Honig dropped back, pumped once and found his favorite receiver Derrell Wright '02 open on the sideline.
Wright then turned on the speed, coming back into the middle and then into the endzone to cap a 91-yard pass play. It was the longest completion in Amherst history, as Wright broke his own previous record of 80 yards.
This tied the score at 14-all, and the Jeffs rolled from there on out. Two possessions later the Jeffs got an interception from Steve Yung '02, who returned it 25 yards to the Colby 22.
This set up a short swing pass from Honig to Ugwonali, who beat one man and ran in for a 17-yard touchdown. Honig completed 14 of 24 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns.
The Jeffs last touchdown was also set up by an interception return, this one by Daoust, who took it to the Colby 25.
Using a no-huddle offense, the Jeffs converted on a third down, and Honig found Wright coming in on a slant in the endzone the next play. Wright's diving catch made it 28-14, and put the game out of reach as Colby could do nothing against the Amherst defense in the fourth quarter.
The previous week the Jeffs fell for the first time this season when Middlebury beat the Jeffs 17-0. Middlebury was the first team to score against the Amherst team this season.
The Jeffs played well, gaining more total yardage than the Panthers and also causing more turnovers on defense, but they were unable to put any points on the board.
The Jeffs travel next to face Wesleyan University this Saturday. The Cardinal's are coming off a 20-17 win over Bates College, and are now 3-1 on the season.
"This is a big game for us," Mills said, "They're a great team and they'll be ready for us. It's our goal to win the Little Three every year, and you can't do that without beating Wesleyan."