Outscored 21-0 midway through the third quarter, the football team could have given up during Saturday's game against Hamilton. However, the team scored 17 unanswered points to give the Continentals a scare, but ultimately fell short, losing 28-17.
Now halfway through its season, the team still has hopes for a winning campaign despite a 1-3 record after the loss.
"Our season so far has been defined by us playing well at times and poorly at times," said quad-captain Gus Spaulding '09. "We've had stretches where we made the plays we know we are capable of making. Unfortunately, we held ourselves back the rest of the game by losing focus. We need to be able to stay on our game for a full 60 minutes."
Despite being down three touchdowns in the third quarter, it only took one play to put some life back into the offense and some points on the board. Junior quarterback Oliver Kell threw a screen pass to Nick Tom '10 who juked his way to a 68-yard touchdown and the first Polar Bear points of the game.
"The play that really sparked us was Nick Tom's screen pass," said quad-captain Tim Kelleher '09. "The offense was in a funk and a big play like that really fired the guys up."
Bowdoin quickly scored again. After a quick Hamilton three-and-out, Bowdoin took over possession at their own 41-yard line. On the opening play of the drive, Kell spotted Kelleher wide-open down the sideline and tossed a 59-yard touchdown bomb to close the gap to 21-14.
After the defense stopped the Continentals again, the Polar Bears took over and marched down the field on a 15-play, 67-yard drive. During the drive, Bowdoin faked a punt on fourth and five, as junior Matt Leotti ran six yards to keep the drive alive.
"The offense stalled near midfield needing only five yards for a first down," Kelleher said. "After Matt Leotti made a gutsy run to reach the sticks for the first down, the offense felt like it was their turn to respond. That's what this team is about; we feed off of each other."
The drive ultimately stopped at the Hamilton six-yard line, but senior Nolan McNair kicked a 24-yard field goal to put Bowdoin within four.
On the next Bowdoin drive, after a Kell incompletion on fourth and two, the Continentals got the ball back with great field position and drove for the score to put the game out of reach.
Two weekends ago, the Polar Bears notched their first win of the season, a 28-26 nail-biter over Tufts at home.
"The first win is huge," quad-captain Jack Dingess '09 said. "After playing well but coming up short in the first two games, we really needed to beat Tufts to put us back on the right track."
Kell finished 22-23 with 224 yards and a touchdown, and Matt Moran '10 caught four passes for 71 yards while first-year Ian Vieira had two rushing touchdowns.
Junior Tyler Tennant led the Polar Bear defensive unit with 13 tackles, one forced fumble and an interception.
Bowdoin will take on perpetual NESCAC powerhouse Trinity, who stand atop the conference at 4-0, Saturday at 1 p.m. at home.
"To beat Trinity we are going to have play sound, fundamental football on both offense and defense and jump on them early," Kelleher said. "If we can get out to an early lead with a total team effort, we will bring home a win on Saturday."