LEWISTON, Maine (September 24, 2022) -- The Tufts University football squad picked up its first victory of the 2022 season Saturday afternoon, cruising past Bates College 35-7 in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) action from Garcelon Field.
The Jumbos (1-1, 1-1 NESCAC) dominated from the start, getting a 3-and-out on the first defensive series, scoring on their first offensive drive. On the possession, Tufts went 53 yards on 11 plays before
Michael Berluti connected with
Phil Lutz for his second touchdown of the season from five yards out.
Bates (0-2, 0-2 NESCAC) moved the ball on their next possession, but the Tufts defensive unit got off the field at its own 22-yard line with a fourth-down stand. The Jumbos doubled its lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter, as Berluti hit Jadon Richardson for a 53-yard touchdown reception with 12:09 left in the half.
After Tufts got a defensive 3-and-out, the offense took the ball and went 69 yards over 10 plays before Berluti scampered in from five yards out to make it 21-0 Jumbos with just under four minutes to go in the second quarter. The scoring drive was extended with a big 3rd and 14 conversion, as
Cade Moore caught a 36-yard pass from Berluti.
Tufts wasn't done though in the second quarter, notching its third touchdown of the period three minutes later as
Tyler Johnson finished off a six-play, 77-yard scoring drive with a five-yard touchdown run with 26 seconds to go in the half.
After the break, the Jumbos continued to hold the Bobcats scoreless and extended their lead at 9:00 of the third quarter on a 41-yard rushing touchdown by
Jackson Butler to make it 35-0.
Bates got on the board with 2:44 to go in regulation on a one-yard touchdown run from Colton Bosselai, but that was all the Bobcats would get as Tufts earned the road victory. Berluti had another strong performance, as he finished 18-of-21 for 237 yards and three touchdowns (1 rushing) along with 35 yards on the ground.
On the ground, Butler let the team with 70 yards on just two totes while Johnson finished with 46 yards on 12 carries, scoring once.
Aundre Smith added 33 yards as well on four carries. Moore led the Jumbos with 81 yards receiving on six grabs, while Lutz added seven catches for 79 yards.
Defensively,
Cam O'Brien posted 10 tackles (2 solo) to pace the Jumbos while
EJ Comerford added eight stops as well.
Victor Garza and
Kristian Rosario each finished with five tackles and a stop for loss, while
Tyler Roach and
Matty Drouillard both had a sack. Jashon Means also picked off a pass for Tufts.
Tufts outgained the Bobcats on the day 436-203, including a big 237-76 edge in passing yardage. The Jumbos posted an average of 8.1 yards per play Saturday, while going 7-of-12 (58.3%) on third downs.
Jack Bryant led Bates with 63 yards rushing in defeat, while Reza Badiee added 50 yards on the ground for the hosts. Bosselai was 7-of-14 for 76 yards and an interception.
The Jumbos are back on the road next weekend, heading to Williamstown, MA to battle Williams College (1-1, 1-1 NESCAC) at 1:30 p.m. in conference play. Williams knocked off Bowdoin College 24-14 Saturday afternoon.
--JUMBOS--
