Colby’s Mules back atop CBB, NEFC standings

Colby College of Waterville went into the 2000 football season determined to re-establish itself as one of the top teams in the New England Football Conference.

Coach Tom Austin and the White Mules achieved that goal, posting a 7-1 record and earning a share of the league title along with Amherst and Middlebury. It was Colby’s best record since it went 7-1 in 1994.

The Mules also won the Colby-Bates-Bowdoin series title for the first time since 1996.

Colby’s success didn’t come overnight. While the team’s seven victories were more than the previous three years combined, the Mules gradually went from 0-8 in 1997 to 2-6 in ’98, then to 3-5 last fall.

“They were certainly a group that set some high standards for themselves back in April and the rest is history,” Austin said. “What really put us over the top, I think, was the leadership that our two captains gave us this year.”

Linebacker Drew Johnson and strong safety Mark D’Ambrosio were the captains who set the tone for this Colby squad, especially on the defensive side.

“We were young in some spots defensively,” Austin said. “It sort of took us a while to get it going, but we played exceptionally well over the last half of the season.

The Mules surrendered 13 points and 262 yards per game.

The most obvious difference this season was Colby’s potent offense. Sophomore quarterback Pat Conley of Bath and junior wide receiver Danny Noyes emerged as one of the most potent and versatile tandems in the NESCAC, each setting school and conference records along the way.

Conley completed 139 of 250 passes (.556) for 1,996 yards and 14 touchdowns. The yardage is a league record, while the completions, attempts, TDs and his 2,082 total offensive yards all are Colby single-season marks.

“He just emerged and showed us things that, my goodness, you don’t coach,” Austin said. “He has a presence and he was blessed with great feet and made tremendous decisions.”

Noyes started the season as a dangerous pass receiving threat and quickly emerged as an elusive ballcarrier after being moved to tailback. His 872 receiving yards set league and school season records, while his 54 receptions rank third in league season annals.

Noyes averaged 16.1 yards per catch and scored five touchdowns, but also finished as the No. 10 rusher in the conference with 57 carries for 386 yards, a league-best average of 6.8 yards per carry.

“Danny is really gifted,” Austin said. “He has a very dynamic personality when he gets the ‘piggy’ under his arm. He has very good speed, not blazing speed, but with exceptional quickness and equally exceptional vision.”

Colby led the league in scoring with 23.4 points per contest and rolled up 382 yards per game, also tops in the NESCAC.

Senior tight end Andrew Tripp complemented Noyes with 24 catches for 461 yards and two TDs.

Austin also lauded the effort of freshman linebacker James Bradford of Bangor and expects big things from him in the future.

“He’s a delightful young man and has a considerable amount of athleticism and a great disposition to go with it,” Austin said.

Another key contributor was fullback Don Williams of Rockland, who was an oustanding blocker and solid receiver with 21 catches for 131 yards and three touchdowns.

Austin hopes this season’s success will serveas a springboard.

“I was very pleased for the kids and the outgoing seniors certainly redefined our program,” Austin said. “We hope to build on that in the years to come.”