CLINTON, N.Y. – Wesleyan University's Jake Smith caught a 34-yard pass from Matt Fitzsimons for a touchdown with 13.6 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the Cardinals defeated the Hamilton College Continentals 42-38 at Hamilton's Steuben Field on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Season Update
- The Continentals (0-3 NESCAC) have scored at least 21 points in all three games this season.
- Wesleyan (3-0), which received votes in the Sept. 28 American Football Coaches Association Division III and D3football.com polls, extended its win streak to six games dating back to the 2025 season.
How It Happened
- Carmelo Velardo '27 gave Hamilton a 38-35 lead on a 29-yard field goal with 3:34 left. The Cardinals got the ball back and on their second play Fitzsimons completed a short pass to Donte Kelly that Kelly turned into a 34-yard gain. However, Ian Redzepagic '28 stripped the ball from Kelly and it was recovered by the Continentals' Ryan Dickhaut '30 near the left sideline at the Hamilton 31.
- The Continentals didn't get a first down, but they took precious time off the clock, and a 46-yard punt by Nick Pellagrini '29 was downed at the Wesleyan 15 with just 1:39 remaining. The Cardinals moved the ball quickly, including a 16-yard completion to Kelly on third-and-14. The touchdown pass came on a third-and-10 situation.
- The teams scored touchdowns on seven of the first nine drives in the first half and the opening three possessions of the second half leading up to Velardo's field goal.
- Hamilton led 13-7 after one quarter and 27-21 at the half. The Continentals held 13-point leads on two occasions, at 20-7 early in the second quarter and at 27-14 midway through the second. Hamilton still owned a 35-28 advantage at the end of the third quarter.
- Wesleyan grabbed a 28-27 edge with a 17-play touchdown drive that chewed up more than 10 minutes off the clock on the Cardinals' first possession of the second half.
Notes
- Luke Kurzum '27 accounted for nearly 400 yards of total offense for the Continentals. Kurzum was 25-of-31 passing for 323 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 71 yards on just five carries.
- Connor Laverty '28 scored three touchdowns on short runs and threw for another in limited action at quarterback. Laverty entered the day with two career scores at Hamilton. The touchdown pass was his first with the Continentals.
- Matthew Kearns '28 set career bests with eight catches for 160 yards including a 20-yard touchdown reception early in the first quarter. Kearns also caught a two-point conversion pass from Kurzum.
- Mitchell Ivatts '29 caught a five-yard pass from Laverty for a touchdown and finished with 12 receptions for 140 yards. Ivatts leads the NESCAC in receptions (35) and receiving yards (410).
- Nico Obregon '27 was credited with a career-high nine tackles including six solo stops.
- Mat Bucher '27 added eight tackles and is second in the conference with 30.
- Ryan Zouaoui '29 and Brody Bazirgan '29 collected their first career sacks.
- The forced fumble for Redzepagic was his first at Hamilton.
- Fitzsimons was 31-of-41 for 411 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a score. Angelo LaRose scored two touchdowns on the ground. Blake Newcomb topped the Wesleyan receivers with seven catches for 119 yards. Aiden Nelson led the Cardinals with six tackles and he also broke up a pass. Will Rao blocked an extra-point attempt.
- The teams combined for 55 first downs and more than 1,000 yards of total offense.
- Wesleyan had the ball for more than 36 minutes. The Cardinals were 10-of-14 on third down conversions and converted both of their fourth down opportunities.
Next Game
The Continentals travel to Trinity College (3-0) for a NESCAC contest on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m.
