Middletown, Conn. - The Colby College Football team took an early lead but was unable to keep pace with the Cardinals of Wesleyan University Saturday.  Wesleyan topped the Mules 31-14, dropping Colby's record to 2-2 while the Cardinals improve to 3-1 and look to improve their #10 New England ranking (Colby was #11 heading into the matchup).

Wesleyan tipped the scoreboard first, starting the opening drive of the game at their own 9-yard line and finishing at the other end of the field with a 35-yard field goal.  The Mules responded moments later, taking their ensuing possession 77 yards in 3:31.  Running back Keon Smart found the end zone on a 2-yard rush, set up by a 49-yard screen pass from quarterback Matt Hersch to running back Brendan Sawyer.  The two opponents traded punts before the Cardinals found the end zone on four consecutive possessions to close out the half with a 31-7 lead.  

Colby's second half defensive adjustments kept pace with their performance in previous games.  The Mules have held two of their three opponents to zero second-half points, and Colby stayed true to form Saturday.  The defense forced Wesleyan into a turnover on downs on the first possession of the second half, and forced a turnover on the next Cardinal drive (Javon Williams, second of the season).  The Mules held the hosts to 41 total yards the remainder of the way, forcing four consecutive punts.  On offense, Colby was able to move the ball but turned the ball over on downs three times down the stretch.  The Mules were 1-12 on 3rd down conversions. 

The final Colby score came on a fourth and goal play with less than seven minutes remaining in the contest.  Hersch connected with Smart out of the backfield to close the score to 31-14.  

Julian young paced the defense for the Mules with his third double-digit tackle tally of the season (10).  Marc Dougherty was right behind with nine.  

Colby returns to Mayflower Hill next weekend to host the Mammoths of Amherst College for Homecoming Weekend.