Adam Marske and Darren Hartwell Lead Ephs to 41-7 Win Over Colby
WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – Williams College junior quarterback Adam Marske connected on 22 of 27 passes for 3 TDs and 277 yards in leading the Ephs (1-0) past Colby (0-1) 41-7.
Capitalizing on a Colby fumble on the Mules' first play generated by a solid hit by DB Chris Kim that forced a fumble the Ephs' Emmanuel Whyte was happy to pounce on. Williams was able to get on the scoreboard just 38 seconds in and on their second offensive play when Marske connected with senior WR Darren Hartwell on the right side. Hartwell's leaping catch left him one yard shy of the end zone, but he managed to tumble into the end zone.
The Ephs came right back to notch three more points when Joseph Mallock nailed a 39-yard FG with 4:35 left in the first quarter.
On their first possession of the second quarter the Ephs expanded their lead to 17 when Marske and Hartwell teamed up again for a score. Marske lofted the ball into the left corner of the end zone and Hartwell and the Colby DB went up for it, but it was Hartwell who came down with the pigskin. Mallock's PAT made the score 17-0, Williams.
The TD grab by Hartwell tied him with Brendan Fulmer '07 for most career TD catches at Williams (18).
After the third Williams tally Colby then fashioned a 9-play 77-yard drive to get on the scoreboard. Capping the drive was a pass from Luke Duncklee to Mike Lahiff that covered 40 yards. The PAT by David Bendit narrowed the score to 17-7.
With just 2:53 remaining in the first half Marske registered his third TD pass, connecting with senior WR Jeff Riemann for 19 yards. Mallock converted the PAT and the Ephs lead 24-7 and held the 17-point advantage into the halftime break.
With just over 4 minutes remaining in the third quarter Marco Hernandez finished off the Ephs' 43-yard scoring drive with a power run up the middle with one minute to play in the third period. The Eph lead had grown to 24, 31-7.
Meanwhile the Eph defense that returned just three starters from last season was busy shutting down the Mules. On the day Williams surrendered just 159 yards of total offense, 138 through the air.
The final Eph tally came when Luke Faust lined up a 36 yard FG. The Faust attempt was blocked, but on a fortunate bounce the Ephs' John McKenna ended up with the ball and there was only green grass in front of him. McKenna he raced to pay dirt. Faust added the Ephs' final point with a successful PAT and Williams was 1-0 on the year.
Williams had 410 total offensive yards to Colby's 159. The Ephs recorded 295 yards in the air and 115 on the ground; the Mules totaled 138 in the air and 21 off run-plays.
The Mules' QB Connor Emmert completed 10 of 20 for 73 yards and no touchdowns.
Williams' Jean Luc Etienne carried the ball 9 times for a total of 37 yards, and Colby's Spencer Gopaul also had 9 attempts on the ground for a total of 16 yards.
Darren Hartwell snagged 8 balls out of the air for a 92-yard total and Colby's Luke Duncklee's snared 8 passes for 66 yards.
Senior defensive back Chris Kim led the Ephs with 7 solo tackles and 1 assist, while senior captain Chris Cameron had 4 solos and 1 assist. Leading the Mule defenders were Ryan Ruiz with four tackles and four assists, while, Derrick Beasley totaled 5 solos and 2 assists.
Mallock was successful with both PAT attempts today, added 2 punts for 69 yards and 8 kickoffs for a 500 yards. "We're glad our kick game is experienced now," noted Aaron Kelton. "Joe's been kicking since he was a freshman and he also did a great job stepping in to punt for Greg Payton today."
The Ephs showcased surprising depth on the field today, with standout performances from WRs Richie Beaton, Jeff Brewington '14 and the running Jean Luc Etienne '15. Kelton was pleased, "That's what we're trying to build. We're trying to create that depth because we continue to be a young team."
While the home fans were ecstatic about Hartwell's record-tying accomplishment, head coach Aaron Kelton didn't seem transfixed. "We don't worry about records," he said. "In fact, we didn't know about it." Kelton is confident in Hartwell's talents and describes him as, "one of the most dynamic players in this league. I can't say [the record] is really a surprise."
"Trinity's coming here next week and we're looking forward to it," Kelton said of next week's match-up. "It'll be a welcome challenge." The Ephs will take on the Bantams next Saturday at Weston Field. Kick-off is scheduled
