BRUNSWICK — "He's open, he's open," yelled fans standing on the other side of the boundary rope near the Bowdoin College bench. More eyes turned to the Bowdoin end zone, more voices cried out.

"He's OPEN!"

That's when Oliver Kell stopped swiveling his head to his right and left and looked downfield. Justin Starr was alone. He caught Kell's 32-yard pass for the winning touchdown.

On the sideline, fans thrust fists into the air or slapped shoulders. Maybe Kell had heard them or maybe he knew Starr was open.

Bowdoin beat Middlebury 50-35 on a perfect football Saturday. Deep blue skies and faces flushed red from cheering.

Bowdoin took the early lead, lost it, got it back and lost it again until Kell found Starr.

It was the first of three Bowdoin touchdowns in the fourth quarter that put an end to a quarterback shootout.

Middlebury's Donald McKillop put the ball in the air 61 times, completing 38 for 420 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw three interceptions.

Kell completed 25 of 42 passes for 374 yards and three touchdowns. He had no interceptions.

"They took our punch and we took their punch," said Kell afterward. "I knew it was an exciting game but I really couldn't pay attention. Winning is what counts."

You were tempted to lean over and check his pulse. He was too cool.

A year ago, he and McKillop put up the same air show with Middlebury winning, 42-28. If Kell was looking for payback, he didn't say it. "He's a good quarterback. He tired us out last year."

Kell was 95 yards away from a Bowdoin career passing record before the game. "What record is that?" said Kell the day before. He hadn't been paying attention.

He's a child of California and some of the staff at Bowdoin do look at him as the surfer dude, overlooking his teenage years in Westford, Mass., and a prep year at Kents Hill.

His father went to Yale and played in the legendary "Harvard beats Yale, 29-29" in 1968. Dad was a linebacker.

"That's what I was recruited to play here," said Kell. "Linebacker or defensive back." At 6-foot-3, 205 pounds he can play like a linebacker. "I got my chance when the starting quarterback got hurt."

That happened during Kell's freshman season. Now he's a reason why New England Small College Athletic Conference opponents are showing Bowdoin new respect.

He doesn't march to a different drumbeat, but sometimes you wonder.

He hated his first name for a time because he knew of no other Oliver.

Except for his father's uncle for whom he was named. Now he loves it. No, he's not related to George Kell, the former Red Sox infielder. "People ask. I'm used to it."

He loves the physicality of football but understands that its violence goes hand-in-hand with the chess-like intelligence of game planning.

His course load is filled with economics, government and legal studies courses.

On his work resume he's proud of the three years he worked as a mover: heavy lifting.

"I loved that job. I think everyone should have a job like that once in their lives."

Early Saturday afternoon, an eagle soared high overhead. Dozens of men who once played on Whittier Field had come back to help Bowdoin celebrate its 120th anniversary of playing football.

One was Bill Farley, Class of '64, whose generous contribution led to the Farley Field House.

Farley liked the way Kell played the game. Reminded him of his stepson, Hayes MacArthur, who had the Bowdoin passing yardage record. Past tense. That was the record Kell broke with his second touchdown pass to Pat Noone, a 51-yard strike that put Bowdoin ahead, 14-0.

Farley's eyes widened slightly. This was news to him. His smile came back. Saturday was a great day to be a Bowdoin football fan.

The Polar Bears won big on opening day.

Staff Writer Steve Solloway can be reached at 791-6412 or at: ssolloway@pressherald.com