Wesleyan prevailed over Williams 25-24.
Force Paradox Resolved
Williams came into the game averaging a league-leading 172 rushing yards per game. Wesleyan’s rushing defense was also first at 85 yards per game. On Saturday the unstoppable force prevailed over the immovable object, as the Ephs amassed 231 yards on 51 carries. Jon Oris led with 86 yards, Owen McHugh ran for 77, Owen Johansen amassed 57 from the wildcat and Will Sheskey added 14. McHugh, Johansen and Sheskey each scored a rushing touchdown. Johansen’s came on the longest run of the day, a 46-yard dash.
Quality Bests Quantity
In another important finding for philosophy, qualitative measure of miscues demonstrated more impact than quantity. Wesleyan amassed 9 penalties for 62 yards on the day, including costly face mask and roughing the kicker penalties that kept a late Williams drive alive. But the Ephs lost a fumble at their own four and surrendered a pick six, yielding 15 decisive points in essentially two plays.
To Feel Good for the Rest of Their Lives
Shout out to nine Williams seniors who delayed their professional careers to return for a final Covid-earned fall together. May the upcoming battle with Amherst make their sacrifice worthwhile for Zach Barnes, Sean Beaubien, Jack Dickinson, Tim Forth, Tim Landolfi, Ryan Levrault, Mike Tartaglia, Will Sheskey and CJ Vilfort.
Mammoth Contest
The Biggest Little Game in America pits a 4-4 Eph squad against 2-6 Amherst. The Ephs will likely match their NESCAC-leading ground game against Amherst’s 7th-ranked rushing defense. Offensive line prowess is a key to the game. Field position will also matter, and Saturday’s game will match two of the league’s best punters: Eph Leonardo Maiuolo and Mammoth Michael Mitchell.
Williams’s Homecoming game kicks off on Saturday, November 9 at 12pm at Farley-Lamb field.