Box Score Recap courtesy of Amherst College
AMHERST – The Amherst College football team (6-0) remained perfect this season behind a stellar defensive effort against Tufts University as the Jeffs cruised to a 30-3 win Saturday afternoon during Family Weekend at Pratt Field.
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| Freshman Zach Thomas kicked a 40-yard field goal for Tufts |
Amherst recorded five sacks and four interceptions en route to the victory as they dropped the Jumbos to 3-3. Tufts also played well defensively, holding the Lord Jeffs to 244 yards compared to the 249 that the Jumbos gained. Each of Amherst's scores came during drives which they started in Tufts territory.
Spearheading the Jeffs' defense Saturday was senior outside linebacker Chris Tamasi, who recorded three sacks for 21 yards. He recorded nine tackles (7 solo), five for a loss, and forced two fumbles. Fellow classmate and defensive end Max Lehrman recorded two sacks and four tackles for loss. Inside linebacker Ned Deane recorded eight tackles (3 solo) and recorded his second interception of the season, while inside linebacker Thomas Kleyn added seven tackles (4) solo and another pick. In the secondary, cornerback Jaymie Spears broke up four passes and free safety Christopher Gow picked off the opposition twice for 65 yards including a 38-yard pick-six.
For the Jumbos defensively, junior LB Matt McCormack led with 13 tackles (8 solos) and a fumble recovery. Senior linebacker Tommy Meade's five tackles included a seven-yard sack and 2.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage overall. Senior DE James Brao had two tackles for losses among his five tackles including a sack. Sophomore CB Mike Stearns recorded seven tackles and a pass break-up.
Offensively, Amherst quarterback Max Lippe went 15 for 29 for 136 yards and one touchdown. He has not turned the ball over in the last 10 quarters. In the rushing game, freshman tailback Hasani Figueroa led the team with 12 carries for 46 yards and junior wide receiver Adam Wallace rushed for a four-yard touchdown. He also led the team in receiving with 45 yards including a 37-yard touchdown catch. Senior wide receiver Gene Garay had a team-high five receptions and gained 37 yards. As a unit, the hosts rushed for 99 yards and threw for 145.
For Tufts, sophomore quarterback Alex Synder went 14 for 32 yards for 175 and threw three interceptions. He also rushed 11 times for 23 yards, while running back Zack Trause gained 34 yards on 12 carries. The Jeffs defense limited Tufts to just 61 yards on the ground. Tight end Nik Dean recorded four catches for a game-high 114 yards as the Jumbos.
Tufts won the coin toss and elected to receive. After a three-and-out, they punted to the Jeffs but a botched catch was picked up by McCormack. However, just six plays later, Lehrman hurried the quarterback Jack Doll to force an interception as Gow returned it 27 yards. After a trio of Lippe completions and a 17-yard run by wide receiver Jackson McGonagle, the Jeffs made their way down to the visitor's 1-yardline. On 3rd-and-goal, Lippe pushed through the line for the first score of the game just over six minutes into play.
On the ensuing Tufts possession, Synder threw his first interception of the game into the hands of Deane who brought it back to the Tufts 26. Senior placekicker Phillip Nwosu kicked a 37-yarder to put Amherst up by 10 as they capitalized on two early turnovers.
After consecutive punts by both teams, Tufts started their fifth drive on their own seven with 4:13 remaining in the first quarter. On the first play of the drive, Synder found Dean running down the right sideline as he went 80 yards down to the Amherst-13. The drive ended in a 40-yard field goal by Zach Thomas as they cut the deficit to seven. The kick matched the longest field goal by a Jumbo since the 2010 season.
Tufts got the ball back after forcing a three-and-out, but a holding penalty and consecutive sacks by Tamasi brought them from the visitor-36 down to the 10-yardline. Facing a 3rd-and-26, the Jeffs pressured Synder once again and forced another interception as Kleyn made a diving catch at the 4-yardline. On the following play, Wallace rushed it in to give Amherst a 17-3 lead.
Tufts missed a 43-yard field goal on their next drive and after a series of drives that ended with punts, Synder threw his third interception of the game with 2:19 remaining in the half as Gow brought it back 38 yards for the score. The Jeffs entered the break with a 24-3 lead.
The second half was a defensive battle as neither team could get anything going offensively. The visitors had their best opportunity to score on their first drive of the quarter. Starting at their own 41, they brought it down to the Amherst 3. On 4th-and-1 they went for it but were stuffed as Amherst took over on possessions.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Jeffs scored on their third drive of the fourth quarter. Starting at the Tuft 43 following a punt, Amherst rushed the ball four times for 11 yards before Lipped tossed one to the endzone and found Wallace. Amherst went on to win the game 30-3 and have scored 30 or more points for the third straight game and fourth time this year.
The Jeffs return to action next Saturday and will head to Trinity College for a 12:30 pm matchup. The Bantams had their 53-game home winning streak snapped today in a 27-7 loss to Middlebury. Tufts will play their home finale next Saturday against Colby at Ellis Oval / Zimman Field starting at 12:30 pm.
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