AMHERST, MA (October 21, 2023) -- The Tufts University football team ran its win straight to five games on Saturday, using a dominant defensive effort and efficient offense to roll past Amherst College for a 34-14 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) win at Pratt Field at Lehrman Stadium.
With the victory the Jumbos moved to 5-1 on the season, while posting its first five-game win straight since the 2016 and 2017 campaigns. The last time Tufts won five or more in a single season was when it finished the 1986 season with seven straight victories. The defense was dominant on Saturday at Amherst, holding the host Mammoths (2-4, 2-4 NESCAC) to just 171 yards of total offense on the day. On the other side, Tufts tallied 426 yards with a balanced attack of 206 yards rushing and 220 yards through the air.
After a scoreless first quarter, host Amherst got on the board first at the 9:35 mark of the second quarter as Cato Legaspi pushed in from a yard out to cap a seven-play, 71-yard drive. That would be the last time Tufts allowed much until the fourth quarter, allowing the offense to take over. On the following drive after the Mammoth score, Tufts marched 76 yards on 11 plays before junior signal caller
Michael Berluti hit
Cade Moore in the corner of the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown completion to tie the game.
Tufts got the ball right back and needed just one play as Berluti hit senior
Jaden Richardson on a 10-yard in route and the Tufts wide out raced past everyone for a 55-yard touchdown catch. It was Richardson's 11 receiving score of the season.
After halftime, the Tufts lead grew to 21-7 as Berluti raced down the right sideline for 34 yards on a read option play for a rushing touchdown. Sophomore Vaughn Seeklicke connected on 35 and 30 yards to end the scoring in the third quarter, as Tufts took a 27-7 lead into the fourth.
After another three-and-out for the Mammoths, Tufts would finish its scoring on the day with a 10-yard touchdown catch by Moore. Amherst tacked on a late touchdown on a Carter Jung touchdown catch, going 34 yards on 10 play for the tally. Amherst tallied 23 plays for -22 yards between its two scoring drives, including seven punts and a fumble.
Berluti was stellar once again as he finished 18-for-34 for 220 yards and three touchdowns, not being sacked once again. The Jumbos offensive line has allowed just one sack all season now. Berluti also added 64 yards on the ground on his four carries, averaging 16 yards a tote.
Chartellis Reece rushed for 89 yards on 21 carries, and
Khallid Calhoun added 23 yards on three carries. Richardson pulled in four grabs for 98 yards and his score, and Moore tallied six catches for 45 yards and his two touchdowns.
Robbie Moret also pulled in a career-high five balls for 44 yards.
Defensively,
Shane Reiner posted eight stops including seven solo tackles, and
Jameer Alves tallied six tackles and one tackle for loss.
Drew Guida collected his third sack of the season, adding a forced fumble and fumble recovery along with five tackles.
Andrew Franco and
Michael Butler each posted sacks as well, while
Kristian Rosario and
Henry Ferrelli broke up passes for Tufts. Seelicke was perfect on his kicks on Saturday, making both field goal attempts along with his four extra points.
The Jumbos held a decided 22-9 edge in first downs on Saturday, while holding the ball for 34:22 of the contest. Tufts scored in four of its five red zone chances, while going 10-for-17 on third downs. On the other side, Amherst was 4-of-15 on third downs. Jack Cox was 5-of-15 for 71 yards throwing for the hosts, and Louie Eckelkamp rushed for 44 yards on 10 carries. Solomon Christo had nine tackles for Amherst.
Tufts continues road play next Saturday, October 28 in New York, traveling to Hamilton College for a 1 p.m. kick-off with the Continentals.
--JUMBOS--
