CLINTON, N.Y. — The Middlebury College football team on Saturday defeated host Hamilton, 35-17, ensuring the Panthers will finish with a winning record this fall.
Middlebury improved to 5-3 heading into its season-ending game this coming Saturday, when the Panthers will host Tufts (6-2) at 12:30 p.m. Hamilton dropped to 2-5.
The Panthers scored two touchdowns in the second half to salt away this past Saturday’s victory after leading at the break, 21-7.
Middlebury went on top, 7-0, on a 49-yard connection from quarterback Will Jernigan to Conrado Banky at 10:12 of the first quarter. Hamilton fumbled on its next possession, and the Panthers took advantage with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Jernigan to tight end Frank Cosolito.
The Continentals got on the board at 14:27 of the second quarter, when Joe Park scored on a six-yard run to cap an 85-yard  drive. Quarterback Kenny Gray sparked the march with a 46-yard rush.
The Panthers took a 21-7 lead with 3:56 remaining in the half, when Jernigan hit Cosolito from 29 yards out to cap an eight-play, 79-yard drive. Jernigan found Banky for 22 yards and Jimmy Connell for 10 on the drive.
Hamilton’s Park scored on a four-yards run to make it 21-14 game at 1:30, and after an interception a Sam Thoreen 30-yard field goal made it 21-17.
Middlebury made it 28-17 early in the third quarter on a seven-yard touchdown pass to Peter Scibilia to finish a nine-play, 91-yard drive that included a Jernigan pass to Banky for 26 yards.
Scibilia capped the scoring with a nine-yard rush with 1:30 remaining in the game.
Jernigan completed 21 of 26 passes for 246 yards, and his four touchdown passes were a career best. He also rushed for 32 yards, while Drew Jacobs gained 65 yards on 14 carries. Banky’s three catches for 97 yards moved him into second on Middlebury’s all-time list with 2,096 receiving yards. Cosolito caught six passes for 69 yards. On defense, Pete Huggins and Ian Blow each made six tackles and had an interception.
Gray completed 19 of 40 passes for 180 yards and rushed for 60. Park finished with 80 yards on 18 carries, while Joe Schmidt caught eight passes for 62 yards.