Volume CXXXIII, Number 6 October 19, 2001 f

After two long years, football gets a W
SEAN WALKER
STAFF WRITER

Football head coach Dave Caputi earned his first Bowdoin win Saturday afternoon, as the Polar Bears dominated the first half and fourth quarter of the Parents Weekend game en route to a 23-14 win over Hamilton. "It feels great," Caputi said. "I'm so happy for the men, especially for the seniors...people started to doubt them, but they never gave up."

Kevin Bougie '04 in action yesterday. The Bears defeated Hamilton, 23-14, for their first win in exactly two years. (Henry Coppola, Bowdoin Orient)

The win had a special significance for the seniors, as it broke Bowdoin's 15 game losing streak. "It was a great feeling," said senior running back Mike Taylor. "Everything is measured by wins and losses, so until now, no one could tell how hard we've been working every day."

This determination was displayed last Saturday in front of an overflowing crowd of Bowdoin parents and fans. The crowd loudly supported the Polar Bears throughout the game. "They were great," Taylor said. "We had a lot of people there cheering for us. It was like having a twelfth player on the field."

Taylor had a career-high 97 rushing yards, including a three-yard touchdown run for the Bears. Two oft-overlooked groups had breakout performances as well: the offensive line outworked the Continental defensive, creating open holes for Taylor and Kevin Bougie '04, whose five-yard touchdown in the second gave Bowdoin a 14-0 advantage. Also, the Polar Bear defense set the tone in the game's first minutes as they sent the Hamilton offense back to the bench after three plays.

Led by eight tackles from sophomore Jeb Bordeau and the punishing hits made by Leroy Gaines '02 and Jarrett Young '05, the defense made virtually every big play during the game. No play, however, was bigger than junior Sean Starke's interception return for a touchdown with four minutes remaining in the game.

""I was able to read the quarterback's throw," Starkes said. "It was one of the greatest thrills in my athletic career." His 63-yard return down the right sideline sent the Bowdoin bench and cheering section into uproar.

The defensive line rushed Hamilton quarterback Greg LiVigne all afternoon; pressure which led LiVigne to throw four interceptions. Jamie Nichols '03 picked up two, while Ivan Lucuk '04 and Starke grabbed one each.

Young was selected as NESCAC's Rookie of the Week after delivering a stellar defensive effort. "I was completely shocked, but it's a great honor," said Young, who recorded five tackles and two sacks in the game.

Young, a St. Louis native, attributed much of his success this season to team chemistry. "We have great continuity," he said. "The seniors treat all of the players equally, which makes everyone want to win for them."

As the Continentals trudged back to their bench at the game's end, the Bowdoin players raised their helmets in the air as several rowdy Bowdoin fans rushed the field. Caputi betrayed his usually even demeanor with a smile as he followed the players into the tunnel.

"We're going to build on the good things we did last Saturday as we prepare for Trinity," said Caputi. "We still have to cut down on some mental mistakes."
These mistakes might have caused the game to slip away from the Bears, as the Continentals erased a 14-0 halftime deficit in the third quarter. A field goal from John Rock '05 was the only Polar Bear score during that quarter.

Hamilton would not get any closer than 17-14, however, as Starke provided the game's decisive play in the fourth quarter.

The Bowdoin men savored their weekend win, but, by Monday, they
were back to work. "We're working on the execution of a lot of small things, and mentally preparing ourselves for Trinity," said Young.

The Polar Bears look to build upon their success this weekend, facing the 2-2 Bantams on the road. No matter what happens tomorrow, it will be a long time before Bowdoin fans forget the excitement they felt as Sean Starke sprinted down the sideline last Saturday, erasing the frustration of the longest losing streak in school history.