SOMERVILLE, MA (November 4, 2023) -- The Tufts University football team surrendered just five first downs and 70 total yards Saturday, as the Jumbos celebrated Senior Day with a 38-0 victory over Colby College in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) play from Ellis Oval.
The Jumbos (6-2, 6-2 NESCAC) dominated on the defensive side of the ball, as they allowed just three drives over three plays, including seven 3-and-outs. Tufts forced the Mules (3-4, 3-4 NESCAC) into seven punts while forcing three turnovers on the day. It was also the first shutout for the Jumbos since a 49-0 win over Bowdoin College October 19, 2019, a span of 29 games.
Furthermore, the Mules were 3-of-13 on third downs, while allowing just 28 yards through the air. The 28 yards passing were the fewest passing yards against since 2011, when the Jumbos allowed just four passing yards in a 9-0 loss against Trinity College.
The Jumbos got onto the board in the first quarter after a sack and forced fumble by senior
Ed Iuteri gave Tufts the ball at Colby's 28-yard line. Six plays later, junior quarterback
Michael Berluti raced into the end zone from three-yards out to make it 7-0.
Colby's best drive of the game came on the next possession, but a 36-yard field goal by the Mules was blocked by
Louis Timmins to thwart the scoring attempt. It took only five plays for the Jumbos to go 70 yards, as Berluti connected with senior
Robbie Moret for a 30-yard score for his first career touchdown.
After a field goal by
Vaughn Seelicke but Tufts up 17-0 early in the second quarter, the Jumbos made it 24-0 as
Aundre Smith scored from nine yards out to make it 24-0 at the half. After the intermission, Smith found himself back in the end zone as he broke a huge run from 47-yards out to make it 31-0 at 7:17 of the third quarter.
The Jumbos finished the scoring on the day early on in the fourth quarter, as
Jayshon Means pushed in from a yard out. That was plenty of offense for the Jumbos, as they allowed only 14 yards total outside of the one 11-play, 56-yard drive by Colby in the second quarter.
Berluti was a tidy 14-for-21 for 163 passing yards and two scores (one rushing), while seniors
Andrew Wiesley and
Matt Crowley each got into the game under center. Smith rushed for a career-high 95 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns, while Berluti also added 42 yards on the ground.
Senior
Jaden Richardson was held out of the end zone for just the second game all season, but still pulled in seven balls for 70 yards. Moret finished with three catches for 54 yards and a touchdown, and
Cade Moore added three receptions on 36 yards.
CJ Burton also added two catches for the Jumbos.
On defense,
Drew Guida finished his home career with a career-high eight tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, while Iuteri had a big game of four stops, two tackles for loss including two sacks, a forced fumble and a pass break-up.
Jeremy Zuniga had a pick for the Jumbos as well as the defense was on the field for just 42 plays Saturday.
Colby got 30 yards on the ground from both Keon Smart and Locksley Burke, while Thomas Keeling was 2-for-11 passing for 23 yards. Mark Kassis made a game-high 10 tackles for the Mules, and Julian Young also posted nine tackles and an interception in the loss.
Prior to the game, the Jumbos honored 25 players and two support staff members for their hard work and dedication to the program. "This group from day one has been committed to be their best, on and off the field," said head coach
Jay Civetti. "Their leadership and commitment to their teammates has been like no other group. They work hard and play hard and bring such a great attitude and effort day in and day out. I'm really proud of this class."
The Jumbos are still one game out of the NESCAC lead in the standings heading into their final week of action November 11 at Middlebury College. If the Jumbos earn a victory, coupled with a loss by Trinity College in one of the next two weeks, Tufts will earn a share of the NESCAC title.
--JUMBOS--
