The Amherst College football team looks to bounce back from a second straight loss when it travels to face Trinity at 12:30 p.m. in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday.
Amherst (3-3) lost back-to-back games for the first time since 2008, which was the last time it had three losses in a season.
Trinity sits atop the NESCAC at 6-0. The Bantams beat Tufts, 36-28, and Middlebury, 49-13. Both of those teams beat Amherst.
Being 3-3 “is not the position you want to be in. It’s certainly motivation, but we are just trying to square our ship” said Amherst coach Mills. “For our seniors and this team, it could be a nice signature win.”
Amherst hasn’t had a steady starting quarterback this season and the uncertainty at the position has caused a stir in the offense.
Amherst will run a quarterback-by-committee offense, using either Alex Berluti or Nick Morales for different packages. Both have started games this season.
“We are trying to accentuate the positives in each of our quarterbacks,” said Mills. “It’s not the perfect situation for us but it’s the best situation for our team right now.”
Amherst’s defense will also look to bounce back after last week’s performance against Tufts, which gained 252 yards rushing against Amherst.
Amherst’s defense had allowed 25.2 yards rushing per game prior to Tufts. The unit now enters Trinity allowing an average of 63.0.
Trinity will be a test for Amherst. The Bantams average 39.3 points per game and allow 12.3.
Williston Northampton graduate Max Chipouras leads Trinity with 746 yards rushing on 122 attempts. He has scored seven touchdowns.
Amherst will look to build some momentum this weekend as it closes the season on Nov. 12 with Little Biggest Game in America against Williams.
“We are certainly excited to have the opportunity to play such a good team on their homecoming weekend,” said Mills of Trinity. “It’ll be a great environment to play in.”