SOMERVILLE – The Tufts University football team came storming back in the second half and nearly pulled off an exciting comeback victory, but Trinity College held on for a 26-23 win over the Jumbos on opening day of the NESCAC season at Ellis Oval Saturday.
Tufts dominated the second half, outscoring the Bantams 20-0 and out-gaining their visitors 266 yards to 115 for Trinity. The Jumbos held Trinity to just 32 yards on their final five possessions while mounting their comeback. However, Tufts couldn't capitalize on two red-zone chances in the fourth quarter that could have tilted the game in their favor.
Tufts senior
Phil Lutz, who broke school records for receptions and receiving yards in a season last fall, exploded in the second half. After making just one catch in the first half, he had eight in the second half including a touchdown. He finished the day with nine catches for 192 yards.
The hosts had started their comeback with a six-play, 82-yard scoring drive finished by a three-yard
Tyler Johnson touchdown run. Lutz had 31- and 28-yard receptions to set up the score, which made it 26-10 late in the third.
After the Jumbo defense forced Trinity three and out as the game went to the fourth quarter, Lutz took a pass from sophomore quarterback
Michael Berluti and maneuvered 44-yards into the end zone for a 26-16 score at 11:38 of the final quarter.
The Jumbo momentum continued after another defensive stop. The Trinity punter miss-hit his attempt and it went right to Jumbo sophomore
Will Duncanson just 10 yards away. He impressively caught the line drive which set up Tufts at the Bantam 25. However the Jumbos couldn't score, missing a field goal attempt.
Following a third straight three-and-out forced by the Jumbo D, Tufts drove down to the Trinity 10-yard line. However, they tried a fake field goal attempt and the pass was intercepted.
The Jumbos did not waver, getting the ball back from the Bantams quickly again. This time they took advantage as Berluti found junior
Jaden Richardson open for a 40-yard score making it 26-23 with 1:37 on the fourth-quarter clock.
Tufts attempted an on-side kick, but after several minutes of the referees sorting out the pile Trinity had recovered it and would run out the clock.
The first half had been all Bantams. Will Kirby ran 53 yards for a touchdown on the second play of the game, and a bad snap on a Tufts punt gave the Bantams a safety and a 9-0 advantage just 2:17 into the action. Two Spencer Fetter to Devante Reid touchdown passes (three yards and five yards), and a 23-yard Matthew Jumes field goal had the visitors leading 26-3 at halftime.
Tufts' only first-half points came on a 31-yard field goal by freshman
Vaughn Seelicke that was set up by a
Louis Timmins interception.
Berluti completed 19 of 33 passes for 280 yards and the two TDs. Johnson rushed 23 times for 97 yards. Defensive end
Tyler Roach finished with seven tackles for Tufts and was credited with three quarterback hurries.
Like Berluti, Fetter was good on 19 of 33 passes totaling 273 yards. Kirby had 17 carries for 91 yards and Sean Clapp was the Bantams' leading receiver with 105 yards on four receptions. Brian Casagrande was the only defensive player in double digits for tackles with 11. William Crowley broke up three passes.
