Waterville, Maine - The Colby College Football team used 31 unanswered points, including 24 in the second half, to erase a 10-point deficit and top the Bobcats from Bates College Saturday night.  The night matchup marked the first time Colby and Bates faced off on Mayflower Hill under the lights.  The Mules move to 2-1, tied for third in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), while Bates drops to 0-3 to open the season.  

Colby got the scoring started when quarterback Matt Hersch connecting with Brendan Sawyer on a 24-yard pass midway through the first quarter.  Bates was able to tick the scoreboard three consecutive times to follow, building a 17-7 lead halfway through the second quarter.  The Mules found the end zone once more before half, this time by the legs of Hersch on a risky 3rd and goal play with eight seconds remaining in the quarter and no time outs.  Hersch's score was set up by a Bates fumble forced by Julian Young and scooped up by Marc Dougherty.  

The second half was full of big plays for the Mules, as Colby forced the Bates signal caller into four interceptions.  Dougherty collected his first of the season, and teammates Nick Donatio, Javon Williams, and Luke D'Aloia each notched a turnover through the air.  Hersch connected for his second passing score, this time to Jack Sawyer for 50 yards, and also landed his second score of the game on the ground to give him eight total touchdowns on the year.  Running back Keon Smart added a score late, and kicker/punter Lowell Carr continues his impressive season for the Mules, hitting all five extra points as well as his lone field goal attempt.  Carr leads the NESCAC averaging over 44 yards per punt.  Young paced Colby with 12 tackles defensively.  

Colby is back in action Saturday when they travel to Middletown, Conn. to take on the Cardinals of Wesleyan University.