HARTFORD, Conn. - The Trinity College Football team jumped to a 17-0 lead en route to a 17-7 victory over visiting Colby College in their 2024 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) opener Saturday afternoon. The Bantams open the season at 1-0, while the Mules drop to 0-1 and will face Williams (1-0) in their home opener next weekend.

In a series that often produces slow starts for Trinity, their 17-0 straight points to start the game proved to be too much for the Mules to overcome. In contrast to years past, Colby kept the game competitive cashing in with less than two minutes left to reach the final score of 17-7.

After a slow first quarter that featured a rare Bantams turnover just outside of the redzone, graduate quarterback Zander Zebrowski capped a six-play, 54-yard drive by leaping past multiple Mules into the endzone to put Trinity up 7-0 early in the second. Following a Colby punt, the Bantams went on a ten-play odyssey down the field with a field goal from senior Matthew Jumes sending the Bantams into the half with a 10-0 lead.

With 9:42 remaining in the third quarter, the Bantams ripped off quick four-play, 59-yard drive, punctuated by a 29-yard touchdown connection from Zebrowski to senior Matt Laughlin to put Trinity ahead 17-0.

The Bantam's defense was formidable on the day, limiting the Mules to 237 yards, including just 54 yards rushing. Senior Ma-Lyke Davis logged a career-high six tackles with a sack and a career-high three pass breakups. John Fiore tallied a career-high six tackles along with graduate Sean Ryan, while junior Charlie Cooper registered a career-high five tackles with a career-high two pass breakups. Senior Kevin Keogh added five tackles and a sack in the win.

Zebrowski racked up a career-high 318 yards of total offense, completing a career-high 27 passes for a career-high 304 yards with a touchdown, along with a 14 rushing yards and a score. Junior Tyler DiNapoli rushed for 50 yards on 11 carries, while sophomore Jack Tosone had a career-high six carries for a career-high 25 yards. Senior Sean Clapp and junior Nolan O'Brien grabbed a game-high seven catches each, while Laughlin logged a career-high 90 yards on four receptions with a touchdown.

The Bantams will be back on the field for a NESCAC road trip to Bates Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff. Trinity has won 10 straight road games heading into next weekend.