Despite the fantastic environment and supportive fans, the Jeffs were simply not able to get it done against the archrival Williams College Ephs, losing 20-0 in the “Biggest Little Game in America.”
The loss was the team’s third consecutive loss to Williams and a continuation of a winless streak in Williamstown that extends all the way back to 1985, before most current Amherst students were even alive. The loss dropped the Jeffs to 4-4 on the season, putting them in a tie with Wesleyan University for fifth place in the NESCAC and representing the team’s worst finish in four years.
Although this was the 122nd playing between Amherst and Williams—a series which Williams now leads 68-49-5—this year was the first that a large portion of the nation was introduced to the rivalry, thanks to ESPN’s decision to host their nationally televised program from Weston Field on the Williams campus. As a result, millions of the previously uninitiated were given the low-down on one of the most storied rivalries in all of college football.
If the Jeffs had their way, though, they probably wouldn’t have wanted the eyes of the nation watching this affair. From the opening kickoff, the Ephs dominated on both sides of the ball. In the first half alone, Williams piled up 216 yards of total offense while holding Amherst to just 50.
On the first drive of the game, the Ephs marched right down to the Amherst five-yard line before the Jeffs were able to come up with a stop. Amherst caught a break, however, when sophomore Scott Sobolewski missed a 22-yard field goal. Three plays later, Amherst was forced to punt the ball back to Williams, and the Ephs once again had no trouble getting inside the Amherst 10-yard line. The Jeffs’ defense held firm once again, however, and forced a turnover on downs to keep the game scoreless.
Amherst once again could do nothing offensively and had to punt after another three-and-out. In the entire first quarter, the Jeffs were only able to run six offensive plays, and they gained a total of 11 yards. Meanwhile, the Ephs would not be denied a third time, as receiver Nick Caro made an incredible diving catch in the end zone on a 32-yard pass from quarterback Pat Lucey.
Down 7-0, the Amherst offense finally got their first first down on the opening drive of the second quarter. However, on the next set of downs, sophomore quarterback Lucas Loeffler threw his first of three interceptions on the day.
The second quarter was played very evenly. Although Amherst did not get another first down, the defense mostly prevented the Williams offense from accomplishing much either. Finally, with just under four minutes left in the half, the Ephs got in position for another field goal, this time making it to bring the score to 10-0. A last-ditch effort by Amherst to score before the half only ended in another interception from Loeffler, leaving a bad taste in the Jeffs’ mouths entering the locker room.
The third quarter brought only more of the same, as Amherst turnovers continued to give Williams numerous opportunities to score. The second Jeff drive of the half included the third interception of Loeffler on the day.
Finally, with four minutes left in the quarter, the Ephs finally found a hole in the Amherst defense. Lucey completed two consecutive passes of 20 yards or more to begin a 78-drive. Tailback Brian Morrissey was able to punch the ball into the end zone from the six yard-line, giving Williams a 17-0 lead. Only a few minutes later, a fumble by Amherst wide receiver Brandon Bullock ’10 gave the Ephs fantastic field position, which they used to tack on the final three points of the game.
After an uneventful fourth quarter, Williams came away with a 20-0 victory. The Ephs finished at 6-2, tied for second in the conference. The win gave Williams their 45th Little Three title and their first shut-out against Amherst since 1995, a game that ended in a scoreless tie. Thanks to ESPN, the nation was treated to a viewing of the Ephs taking “The Walk” up Spring Street to St. Pierre’s barber shop, which Amherst has failed to prevent them from doing every other year for the past 22.
Despite the national attention, televised loss and the worst finish in four years, all of the good things that normally come from the Amherst-Williams matchup were still in full force on Saturday. It’s not often that the vast majority of the Amherst campus is brought together, but once again, just as has happened on the second Saturday of November for over a century, every Amherst student was united in a semi-irrational hatred of Williams College and the Ephs.
One of things that makes such storied rivalries so much fun is that hope springs eternal for next season. “We came out and played with more intensity that I’ve ever seen from Amherst teams,” said senior defensive lineman Jon Attridge.
“The team will come back next year with a fire and a passion that will drive them to being a force in the NESCAC and beat Williams.”