Williams College gave undefeated Amherst all it could handle, but the Lord Jeffs held on for a 17-9 win over the Ephs in the 129th playing of the “Biggest Little Game in America.”
The victory gives Amherst a perfect 8-0 record and its third NESCAC championship in four years. The Ephs finish the season at 2-6.
In a rivalry between the two Division III New England schools that dates back to 1884, Williams got on the board first with a 30-yard field goal from Joe Mallock in the first quarter. The Eph defense held strong on the other side of the ball, keeping the NESCAC’s top-ranked offense off the board for the majority of the first half.
With 42 seconds remaining the second quarter, however, Amherst quarterback Max Lippe found wide receiver Jackson McGonagle for a 16-yard touchdown pass to put the Lord Jeffs up 7-3 at the half.
Amherst carried that momentum into the second half, as Lippe connected with wideout Gene Garay for a 14-yard touchdown strike on its first drive of the second half. Senior kicker Phillip Nwosu booted a 24-yard field goal on the next drive to extend Amherst’s lead to 17-3.
But the Ephs would not go down without a fight. A long pass from quarterback Austin Lommen to receiver Adam Regensburg set up a 1-yard touchdown plunge from running back Alex Scycocurka with 2:57 remaining. Amherst blocked the extra point, settling the score at 17-9.
After a failed onside kick attempt by Williams, the Lord Jeffs ran out the clock to preserve their perfect season and earn their fourth straight win over the Ephs.
Williams still leads the all-time series 71-53-5.
Photo via Twitter/@AmherstCollFB
