LEWISTON, Maine — The Middlebury College football team on Saturday dismissed winless Bates, 43-14, and has a chance to earn a share of first place in NESCAC this Saturday when the Panthers host Trinity at 1 p.m.
The Panthers improved to 5-1 and can put themselves in the driver’s seat in the league by knocking off Trinity (6-0).
At Bates the Panthers scored the game’s first 27 points. They scored on their first drive on a 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jared Lebowitz to Maxim Bochman, and on their third possession on an 11-yard pass from Lebowitz to Tanner Contois. Lebowitz connected with Aidan Power three times for 35 yards on that 79-yard march.
Panther quarterback Jack Meservy threw his first career touchdown pass on the team’s next drive, connecting with Jimmy Martinez for a 56-yard strike and a 20-0 lead at 11:27.
Middlebury took advantage of a forced fumble by Matthew Daniel on its next drive, driving 35 yards for a 27-0 lead on a seven-yard rush from Peter Scibilia.
Bates made it 27-7 late in the half when quarterback Brendan Costa found Marcus Ross for a seven-yard touchdown pass.
The Panthers scored on their first drive of the second half, going 88 yards on 10 plays. Meservy completed passes to six receivers on the drive, and Scibilia scored a four-yard rush to make it 33-7 lead with 8:39 remaining in the third quarter.
Later in the quarter Daniel picked off a pass at the Bates 37-yard line, setting up a 28-yard Carter Massengill field goal that made it 36-7.
The Panthers added one more score when Will Jernigan raced 55 yards for his first career touchdown to make it 43-7 with 5:18 left to play.
The Bobcats added a 16-yard touchdown pass from Costa to Jason Lopez.
Lebowitz finished the game 12 for 18 for 166 yards, while Meservy went 13-22 for 175 yards. 
Jernigan’s 55-yard run led the rushers, while Scibilia gained 44 yards on eight carries. Martinez led the receivers with three catches for 73 yards. John Jackson made eight tackles, while Kevin Hopsicker and Kevin Maxwell had six apiece.
Costa connected on 13 of 24 passes for 141 yards and rushed for 131 yards on 28 attempts.