Waterville, Maine - In one of the most hard-fought battles in recent memory, Colby College stunned perennial NESCAC powerhouse Trinity, grinding out a 13-6 home win on Saturday afternoon. The victory marked the 150th career win for Jack Cosgrove, Dick McGee Head Coach for Colby Football and was a rare loss for the team that managed five NESCAC championships in the last eight years.

The Mules (1-0) entered the contest as heavy underdogs, not having beaten Trinity in the last 30 years, but matched Trinity punch-for-punch from the opening whistle. The first half was a defensive slugfest as Colby forced two turnovers, including a fumble recovered deep in their own territory by Michael Williams. Quarterback Miles Drake led a 15-play, 65-yard drive late in the second quarter to put Colby at the doorstep, but the Mules were turned away by a goal-line interception, leaving the Bantams ahead 6-0 at the break.

The turning point came midway through the third quarter as Colby shut down a Trinity scoring threat that would have opened up a two-score lead. Safety Ameer White intercepted a pass at the Colby 16 and returned it near midfield. Despite punting on the ensuing possession, Colby pinned the Bantams deep and set up the Mules defense for the play of the game. With heavy pressure in the pocket, an errant pass found its way into the lap of defensive tackle Montrail Holmes, stepping in front of a Bantam pass at the 8-yard line and taking it into the end zone for a defensive touchdown that put Colby ahead 7-6.

Colby's offense put together its best drive of the day in the fourth quarter, covering 74 yards in just under four minutes. Running back Antone Moreis capped the march with a two-yard plunge into the end zone to stretch the lead to 13-6. The two opponents traded punts on consecutive series, with Colby's final punt of the game coming in the form of a quick kick on 4th-and-short near midfield.  Lining up as if to attempt the fourth down conversion, Drake retreated in the backfield prior to the snap and executed a miraculous 49-yard punt that settled on the Trinity 8-yard line for their final possession. The Colby defense responded with three straight stops, including back-to-back sacks by Cooper Bunnell and Jack Mullen to push the Bantams backwards. Safety Christopher Milmoe sealed the win with the Mules' fourth interception of the day, allowing Colby to kneel out the clock.

Statistically, the Mules leaned on their defense, holding Trinity to just 195 yards of total offense and a meager 1.7 yards per rush. Colby had seven sacks for a fantastic season start, with Mullen and Bunnell combining for 5.5. Drake was efficient through the air, throwing for 192 yards while connecting with Jack Nye (seven receptions, 99 yards) and Sean Trinder (17-yard grab) on key third-down conversions.

Colby will look to ride the momentum when they hit the road next weekend to face Williams College (1-0) Saturday in Williamstown, Mass.