SOMERVILLE, MA (October 14, 2023) -- The Tufts University totaled 379 yards of total offense in the first half, taking a 42-7 lead into the halftime intermission in cruising past Wesleyan University 49-14 at Ellis Oval under the lights Saturday in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) action.
The win was a crucial one for the Jumbos (4-1, 4-1 NESCAC), who moved into a tie for first place in the league after Middlebury College defeated Trinity College 20-15 to snap the Bantams' 15-game winning streak. The win was also the first against Wesleyan since 2018, while the 49-14 win was the largest margin of victory for Tufts in the series history. The 49 points were also the most ever against Wesleyan in program history.
It was domination from the first whistle for the hosts, as they took the opening kick-off and marched 80 yards over 10 plays before junior
Michael Berluti connected with
Cade Moore on a 17-yard touchdown reception to open the scoring.
The Jumbos forced a punt on the first possession for the Cardinals (3-2, 3-2 NESCAC), and Tufts needed just three plays to go 80 yards as
Jaden Richardson took a sharp slant and outraced the defense for a 73-yard touchdown catch. The grab made the score 14-0, and was his ninth touchdown reception of the season to that point.
On the next possession for Wesleyan, Tufts would force a punt situation but the snapped sailed over the punter's head and Tufts recovered at the Cardinals 2-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, junior
Chartellis Reece pushed in for his first of two scores Saturday to up Tufts' edge to 21-0.
Another punt by the visitors gave the ball back to Tufts and once again Richardson was the star as he made an incredible one-handed juggling catch over two Cardinal defensive backs for the 57-yard score. Richardson now has touchdown catches this season of 82, 73, 57, 39, 38, 29, 26, 24, nine and eight yards this year. HIs 10 touchdowns also leads the NESCAC.
The Cardinals would get on the board thanks to a eight-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a two-yard touchdown run by Niko Candido. The Jumbos answered right back though with an eight-play drive of their own, finishing off the march with a five-yard touchdown run by Reece to make it 35-7. Tufts scored touchdowns on its first five drives before being forced to punt for the first time midway through the second quarter.
After the defense held Wesleyan to a three-and-out, Tufts was right back into the end zone with 1:33 to play in the half as Moore caught a 20-yard touchdown pass to send the game to the half with Tufts well in control. The Jumbos came out of the halftime break and forced a turnover on downs thanks to a
Shane Reiner sack, and Tufts went 61 yards over six plays to make the score 49-7 on a 28-yard touchdown rush from
Aundre Smith.
That would be all the offense the Jumbos would need as the defense clamped down while Tufts salted away the remaining time with a strong rushing attack.
In all, Tufts finished with a 483-253 edge in total yards while averaging 8.8 yards per play Saturday. Berluti finished 14-of-20 for 281 yards and four scores, adding 28 yards on the ground. It was also another game without a sack of Berluti, as the Tufts offensive line continued to be dominant up front.
Smith was the Jumbos' leading rusher with 54 yards on five carries, averaging 10.8 yards per tote, while Reece rushed for 51 yards on eight carries.
Jayshon Means logged 23 yards on five carries, and
Joey Dellumo also had 11 yards on the ground.
Moore was Tufts leading receiver Saturday, pulling in eight balls for 93 yards and two scores, while Richardson finished with four catches for 147 yards and his two touchdowns.
Luke Botsford made a big play for a 39-yard reception, and
Trumann Gettings and
Matt Greco each caught their first passes as Jumbos.
Defensively, Reiner was absolutely everywhere for the Jumbos as he posted nine tackles (7 solo) including three sacks and a forced fumble.
Kristian Rosario added five stops and a pass break-up, and
Vic Garza,
Ed Iuteri and
Suleiman Abuaqel each had a sack in the win. First-year
Ty Richardson broke up a team-high two passes as well in the win. Sophomore
Vaughn Seelicke was successful on all seven of his extra-point attempts as well.
Candido finished 12-for-22 for 167 yards for the Cardinals, while Tyler Flynn posted 42 yards on 10 carries in the loss.
The four-game winning streak is the longest for the Jumbos since finishing the 2021 season on a four-game winning stretch. The last time the Jumbos won five in a row was over 2016 and 2017, while the last time Tufts won five or more in a single season was when it finished the 1986 season with seven straight victories.
The Jumbos will look to earn their fifth-straight win next Saturday on the road, heading to Amherst, MA for a battle with Amherst College at 1 p.m. on October 21.
--JUMBOS--
