In a season where so much has gone wrong, there could be no better way for the Polar Bears to finish off this year's season than with a win over Colby tomorrow afternoon.
Excitement and intensity will not be lacking when the two in-state rivals line up against each other for the 122nd time.
"It's been exciting and there has been a different intensity about practice," said quarterback Grant White '14 describing his first Colby-Bowdoin-Bates (CBB) Championship experience. "A lot of people know each other [on both teams] and there's been a different type of intensity in both the players and coaches. It's the closest thing we have to a playoff and it's a big deal for all three communities. It's just exciting and I'm glad to experience it."
With a win over Colby, Bowdoin would claim its third outright CBB Championship in four seasons. Winning the championship would give the Polar Bears some momentum as they head into the offseason.
"It'd be huge to end the season 2-0," said senior captain Scott Roman. "It would show that we can string together wins with what we've been doing."
Despite its recent success against Colby, Bowdoin knows that it will still be in for a challenging and physical matchup tomorrow afternoon.
"We need to prepare for a physical game where they [Colby] are going to try to run the ball down our throats," added Roman. "It's going to be [the] type of game where you are going to get punched in the mouth. Records don't even matter and everyone's just laying everything on the line. We have nothing to lose. We just hate losing to Colby and they're looking forward to winning the CBB, just like we are."
Last Saturday, the Polar Bears took the first step toward a championship win. They also proved that they could come out on top in a close game, prevailing over Bates in a thrilling 21-20 Senior Day win.
"I was pleased for our players because it was a good, gutsy win," said head coach Dave Caputi. "It wasn't pretty, but it was a win."
On a day marred by numerous mistakes and sloppy play, each team needed every point it could muster.
In the first half, Bates carried a 14-12 lead heading into halftime after blocking Bowdoin PATs from a pair of touchdown catches by Brendan Garner '11.
In the thid quarter, Bowdoin took advantage of a Bates miscue to take its first lead of the day when linebacker and NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week Ian Viera '12 intercepted a Bates pass over the middle. Three plays later, first year running back Kevin Miao capitalized on this scoring opportunity with a five-yard run to paydirt. Yet another blocked PAT left Bowdoin with an 18-14 lead.
Just before the start of the final quarter, the Polar Bears took advantage of a fumble recovery by Viera that turned into a 22-yard field goal by Billy Donahue '11, extending Bowdoin's lead to 21-14.
Down a touchdown heading into the fourth, Bates received great field position after a high snap on a punt attempt by White.
Bates made the most of this opportunity with an 11-yard touchdown pass. However, a missed PAT left Bates trailing 21-20 midway through the final quarter.
After Bowdoin and Bates traded interceptions on the next two drives, Bates had the ball heading into the waning stages of the contest.
Seventeen plays and 58 yards later with under a minute to play, its potential game-winning 27-yard field goal sailed wide left with 51 seconds to play, sealing the Bowdoin victory.
"It was a good win," said White. "It was definitely a nail biter, but we were fortunate the ball bounced our way and we are happy with the win on Saturday. We now put ourselves in a position where we determine our own destiny."
The Polar Bears will not be able to improve upon their 3-5 finish from a year ago but still want to finish strong.
"I think with all of the injuries that we had this year, a win would be a great way to finish the year," said Caputi. "We came in with higher expectations, but some situations were beyond everyone's control and we had to adjust."
Bowdoin will play its final game of the 2010 season at Colby tomorrow afternoon.