Fay, Perceval Prove Too Much for Middlebury Panthers By Brian Fair Sports Editor It was a game for the record books as football opened their season on the road and picked up right where last season ended, thrashing Middlebury 55-28. In one of the most prolific offensive performances in recent memory, Jake Fay ’00 connected with Matt Perceval ’00 for seven touchdowns. "They couldn’t guard Perceval. He’s ridiculous," Fay said. "The offensive line and the running backs also did a good job blocking. I hardly got hit all day."

LAURA SCHAFFER Jake Fay ’00 connected with Matt Perceval ’00 for seven touchdowns and 231 yards in Saturday’s game against Middlebury.

Perceval’s receptions make him the new record holder for points scored, touchdown receptions and receiving yardage in a NESCAC game. He also shattered the all-time Division III record for most receiving touchdowns in a game. The previous record was five.

Accompanying Perceval was wide receiver Nate Moore ’99. Moore had a solid performance with 88 yards receiving. This wide receiver combination may prove to be too potent for NESCAC defenders this season.

"Nate Moore had a great game," Perceval said. "The other teams have to cover both of us, and if I don’t capitalize then Nate is going to. It’s one way or the other. We just have too many players coming at them at once."

The offense started strong with two touchdowns in the first quarter, at the 8:29 and 2:04 marks, both on Perceval receptions. The team didn’t let up. Perceval and Fay doubled their first quarter output by connecting four times in the second, and when the teams left the field for halftime Perceval had six touchdown receptions.

The third quarter rounded out the offensive assault as Perceval made his sixth touchdown grab, and quad-captain Tom Themistocles ’99 ran one into the end zone for a three-yard score.

"Perceval obviously had a fantastic performance. He easily dominated the defensive backs on the other team," said Head Coach Frank Hauser. "The other fact is that he had the right guy throwing him the ball. Jake kept putting the ball where it had to be."

Although the offense stole the show, Wesleyan’s defense turned in a respectable performance. The defense kept Middlebury to 119 yards on the ground and 287 yards passing. Though Middlebury was able to score 28 points, sophomore defensive end Ray Dolphin believes 28 points will not be characteristic of Wesleyan’s defense all year.

"Aside from a few big mistakes that led to touchdowns, the defense went really well," Dolphin said. "With some minor adjustments we should fix those problems and come out next week and destroy [Hamilton.]."

Coach Hauser still has some reservations about his team’s play on Saturday. Although he’s pleased with the team’s performance, he believes there must be some improvement in the weeks to come if the team is to continue winning.

"Obviously we are very happy with a win on the road against a good team. But we made a lot of first game mistakes," Hauser said. "There is no way we can beat the top teams on our schedule with four turnovers and 14 penalties. You don’t win many games like that."

This Saturday the team looks to improve its record to 2-0 when it plays Hamilton in this season’s home opener.

"Hamilton is a young team that is starting quite a few freshman, but they are talented," Hauser said. "If we want to win, we’ll have to play better than last week."

Perceval took his record breaking receptions in stride.

"It was a good time," he said. "It was nothing I expected. Everything just seemed to work out."