BOWDOIN COLLEGE running back Nate Richam, left, looks for room against Middlebury on Saturday at Whittier Field in Brunswick. The Polar Bears fell on their new refurbished field, 41-14, and stand at 0-2 on the season.
It took only four months to get Whittier Field to where it is today, and it may not be quite finished, but enough to host the its first football game on the new turf.
Middlebury College spoiled the reopening of the historic stadium, rolling past the Polar Bears, 41-14 in NESCAC football action Saturday.
BOWDOIN FANS watch as the Polar Bears take on Middlebury in a NESCAC football game on Saturday in Brunswick.
The teams were the first to play on the newly-renovated Whittier Field. The $4.5 million first phase of the renovation began in June and included replacing the grass field with artificial turf, adding lights, new seating, press box, and an expanded eight-lane track. The renovation also included a restoration of the original design of Hubbard Grandstand. Wooden bleachers that had been added over the years have been removed, and the color of the columns and windows now match what they looked like when the grandstand was originally completed in 1904.
“We’ve been on it for a couple of weeks now. There are only two teams in our league that don’t have turf, so most of the players are getting used to it,” said Bowdoin coach JB Wells. “The key is being able to practice on it. It gives us a consistent surface to practice on.”
Bowdoin won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball to start the game. The Polar Bears were unable to put a significant drive together and were forced to punt.
Middlebury was able to garner a couple of first downs on its first drive with Lebowicz connecting with Jimmy Martinez on a pair of pass plays. From the B-37, Bowdoin’s Jaden Dixon stripped running back Peter Scibilia of the ball as he ran downfield and Nat Deacon recovered for the Polar Bears.
Again nothing mounted for the home team and they were forced to punt for the second time in as many drives.
Middlebury threatened on its next drive with what appeared to be a touchdown pass from Lebowicz. However, the play was called back due to a penalty at the line of scrimmage. But three plays later, the Panthers scored the game’s first touchdown when Matt Cardew (14 carries, 74 yards) found paydirt with a 4-yard touchdown run.
The next six drives told a tale of two different stories as each team. Bowdoin punted on its next three possessions, gaining only 24 yards total on 13 plays over that time. Meanwhile, Middlebury made the most of its next three times with the ball, scoring three passing touchdowns from Lebowicz to three different receivers to round the half.
“They spread the ball around well today. They are very athletic and experienced,” said Wells.
In the midst of these drives, up 20-0, Middlebury attempted a “pooch” kick along their own sideline, hoping to catch Bowdoin off guard, but the ball went untouched and rolled out of bounds for a Panther penalty.
Starting with its best field position of the half at the M- 27, Bowdoin was unable to capitalize as penalties and an untimely fumble by Stephen Griffin after a reception turned the ball over deep in Middlebury territory.
Lebowicz found Conrado Banky for a 48-yard strike to put the Panthers up 27-0 midway through the second quarter. Banky finished the game with 101 yards receiving.
The score remained 27-0 into the half. Middlebury amassed 378 yards of total offense in the first 30 minutes, while Bowdoin punted on its first five possessions while fumbling on its sixth and taking it into the half on its seventh.
Second half
Each team traded punts before Middlebury found the endzone again when Lebowicz hit a wide open Jimmy Connell for a 25-yard score. It was the fourth touchdown to a fourth different receiver from Lebowicz.
Bowdoin punted again with 8:50 remaining in the quarter, and after the ball hit the turf and bounced, it inadvertently hit a Panther player with Bowdoin’s Michael Cloppse pouncing on the ball at the M-32 and giving Bowdoin fans something to cheer about.
Again, unable to gain a first down, Bowdoin was forced to punt for the eighth time.
Middlebury marched down the field, highlighted by six rushes by Charlie Ferguson, including a 5-yard score to put the Panthers up 41-0 after three quarters.
Bowdoin managed to score its first touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Griff Stalcup rushed in on a quarterback keeper from nine-yards out.
After Middlebury punted for just the second time, the Polar Bears put together another scoring drive behind Stalcup’s passing and the legs of Nate Richam, who ran for 37 yards on the drive, including a 4-yard touchdown run with 2:32 remaining. The sophomore running back liked the new turf, rushing for 67 yards on 14 carries.
“This field runs better (as opposed to grass). It’s easier to grab traction and make cuts,” said Richam. “It’s soft when you hit and you don’t have to worry about getting injured.”
Stalcup rushed for 54 yards and freshman Owen Gideon-Murphy also ran for 53 yards on eight carries for Bowdoin.
“We’re finding our groove. We need to work on some things, but we’re getting better each day and we’re looking forward to getting back on the field next week,” said Richam.
“We’re finding ourselves misfiring. We need to get everything together. Sometimes we play good defense and sometimes we play good offense,” said Wells. “We need to find a way to have them both happen at once.”
Work will continue to complete bleacher seating on the north side of the complex and to restore grassy areas in the tailgate area and other spots affected by construction activity.
Private donations fully funded phase one and the school will continue to raise funds for phase two. Included will be a new 8,600 square-foot support building that will provide locker rooms for Bowdoin teams, a training room, an equipment room, and public restrooms. Phase two is planned to be completed in the fall of 2018.
Bowdoin travels to Amherst this upcoming Saturday to take on the 2-0 Mammoths at 1 p.m.
Middlebury 41,
Bowdoin 14
At Whittier Filed at Bowdoin College
Middlebury — 7 20 14 0 — 41
Bowdoin— 00014—14
First quarter
M — Matt Cardew 4 run (Carter Massengill kick).
Second quarter
M — Maxwell Rye 8 pass from jared
Lebowicz (Carter Massengill kick).
M — Maxim Bochman 13 pass from
Jared Lebowicz (Carter Massengill
kick).
M — Conrado Banky 48 pass from
Jared Lebowicz (kick failed).
Third quarter
M — Charlie Ferguson 5 run (Carter
Massengill kick).
Fourth quarter
B — Griff Stalcup 9 run (Andrew Sisti
kick).
B — Nate Richam 4 run (Andrew
Sisti kick).
Records — Middlebury 2-0, Bowdoin
0-2.
Up next for the Polar Bears — Saturday at Amherst, 1 p.m.
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