LEWISTON, Maine – The Trinity College Football team shut out host Bates College, 43-0, in a New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) tilt at Garcelon Field Saturday afternoon. The Bantams improve to 2-0, while the Bobcats slide to 0-2.
What Happened:
- After a scoreless first quarter, the Bantams executed a methodical 15-play, 80-yard drive, featuring two receptions for 32 yards from Nolan O'Brien, including a 16-yard snag that set up Trinity at the Bates three-yard line. Josh Woodford pounded the rock up the middle for a three-yard score to help the Bantams to a 7-0 lead.
- After the Bantams defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing Bates drive, Trinity used a 62-yard run from Tate Hoffmeister to move into the Bobcats redzone. Woodford struck again, finding paydirt from 10 yards out, extending the Bantams lead to 14-0 with five minutes remaining in the opening half.
- On their first possession of the second half, Jaxon Carroll connected with Jack Tosone on a wheel route down the sideline for a 62-yard touchdown, staking Trinity to a 21-0 lead with 13:09 left in the third quarter.
- A three-yard touchdown tote from Hoffmeister capped an eight-play, 58-yard drive midway through the third quarter to push the Trinity advantage to 28-0. With 2:51 remaining in the third, Seamus Miller and Wesley Selmani combined to record the Bantams first safety since 2023.
- Following another three-and-out from the Bantams defense, Morenel Castro racked up 47 yards on four carries, including an eight-yard touchdown run to propel Trinity to a 36-0 lead.
- After the Bantams defense allowed just four yards on the Bobcats following possession, Trinity put the game away with an eight-play, 78-yard drive featuring doses of Castro and Jack Rees with Rees finding the endzone from three yards out to send the Bantams to the 43-0 win.
Inside the Boxscore:
- The Bantams racked up a season-high 534 yards with 351 yards rushing and 183 yards through the air. The Bantams eclipsed 300 rushing yards for the first time since 2018, and registered their highest rushing total since logging 385 yards against Middlebury in 2012.
- Bates totaled 71 yards on offense, including just 10 yards rushing.
- Carroll completed 12-of-24 passes for 183 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
- Hoffmeister posted a career-high 91 rushing yards on seven carries with a score, while Castro tallied a career-high 85 yards on eight carries with a touchdown.
- Woodword rushed for 77 yards on a game-high 14 carries with two touchdowns, while Tosone netted 50 yards on 12 carries, while adding two receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown.
- O'Brien led all receivers with a game-high six receptions for 70 yards, while Darison Hooper and Tyler Beliveau each added 15-yard receptions.
- The Bantams defensive unit was dominant, surrendering only three first downs during the game. Ethan Krauss tallied a team-leading six tackles and a pass breakup, while Jacob Tobias chipped in five tackles including 1.5 TFLs. Lincoln Moore and Luke Pickard nabbed two tackles with a sack, while Brady McGowan and Luke Ventura notched two tackles with a TFL.
Up Next:
- The Bantams will be back on the field when they host undefeated Williams College (2-0) in a NESCAC clash at Jessee/Miller Field on Saturday, October 3 at 1:30 p.m.
- All-time, Trinity owns a 42-39-2 record against the Ephs, dating back to their first meeting during the 1888 season.
- The Bantams are riding a four-game winning streak versus Williams, outscoring the Ephs, 152-69, during that stretch.
