After giving up 28 points or more in each of its first four games, the Colby football defense knew it had to step up when it squared off against Hamilton College on Saturday. The team succeeded in a big way as Colby snapped its four-game skid to pick up its first win of the season, 13-7.

An inspired defensive effort resulted in seven sacks, three fumble recoveries and three interceptions. Ryan Veillette ’13, who earned New England Small Conference Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors, came up big for the Mules, racking up 10 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.

Senior tri-captain Nick Kmetz said, “Every time we needed a big play, someone on the defense stepped up.”

Nobody came up bigger than Shayne Begin ’12. With the score tied 7-7, a botched snap by Colby resulted in Hamilton gaining possession at the Colby two-yard line, looking to take over the lead and momentum. They never got that chance, as Begin picked off Jordan Eck’s pass in the endzone, ending the threat.

Kmetz played a solid game of his own, completing 11 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns, the first of which came on just the second play of Colby’s opening drive. Kmetz found receiver Nick Joseph ’14 in the center of the field, connecting for a 52-yard strike that put the Mules up just minutes into the game.

The only other first-half points came when Hamilton running back James Stanell punched it in from two yards out to tie the game at seven with just over five minutes to play in the half. The score capped off a 61-yard drive.

The Mules’ defense set up what proved to be the game-winning score midway through the third quarter, when first-year Henry Nelson’s sack on Eck forced him to cough up the ball. Lester Batiste ’13 recovered the fumble at the Hamilton seven-yard line. A penalty pushed Colby back to the 12, but Kmetz completed his second touchdown to Michael Lahiff ’13 to put Colby up 13-7.

Both defenses held strong for the remainder of the game. Nelson finished with ten tackles, a forced fumble and a sack. To go along with his fumble recovery, Batiste made seven tackles and a forced fumble. Offensively, Connor Walsh ’12 picked up 64 yards on five receptions, while Joseph had 56 on three catches.

The Mules hope to carry their momentum into a huge rivalry game with Bates College next Saturday here at Colby. “Our team is really excited about the opportunity to play Bates,” Kmetz said. “The CBB Championship is an important part of Colby tradition and it is a goal our team has every year.