LEWISTON — Brendan Costa’s three total touchdowns weren’t enough as Wesleyan outlasted Bates 27-24 in NESCAC football action Saturday at Garcelon Field.

Luis Sanchez caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from David Estevez with 4:29 left in the fourth quarter to give the Cardinals (3-0) the win over the Bobcats (0-3)..

Bates took a 24-20 lead early in the fourth when Costa scored on a 1-yard run, his second rushing touchdown of the game.

Bates took a 7-0 lead early in the first when Sean Bryant caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Costa. Wesleyan answered with a 37-yard field goal by Daniel Yoon and a 31-yard touchdown pass from Ashton Scott to Estevez to take a 10-7 lead. Bowdoin took the lead back when Costa scored on a 1-yard run with 3:20 left in the first.

Wesleyan went back in front when Thomas Elkhoury caught a 21-yard scoring pass from Estevez. Bates tied it on a 27-yard field goal by Simon Redfern before Yoon hit a 26-yarder to give Wesleyan a 20-17 lead at the half.

Costa completed 26 of 32 passes for 291 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also rushed 13 times for 51 yards. Derek Marino caught seven passes for 100 yards, while Bryant caught 9 passes for 99. Scott completed 8 of 19 passes for 144 yards and Estevez was 12-for-12 passing for 123 yards for Wesleyan.