Tufts Football Heads To Maine To Battle Bowdoin Saturday

MEDFORD, MA (October 5, 2023) -- The Tufts University football team will look for its first road win of the 2023 season, while trying to extend its winning streak to three on Saturday as the Jumbos head to the Pine Tree State for a New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) clash with Bowdoin College. The Jumbos are fresh off a 28-10 win over Williams College on Ellis Oval last Saturday, and will be traveling on the road for the first time since the season opener at Trinity College on September 16.

Game Details
Opponent: at Bowdoin College (2-1, 2-1 NESCAC)
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2023
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Brunswick, ME – Whittier Field (Directions)
Weather: Rain, 50s, Chance of Rain: 98%, Wind: NW 10-15
Live Coverage: LIVE STATS – LIVE VIDEO

Polar Bears vs. Jumbos All-Time
Saturday will be the 117th meeting between the teams with Tufts holding a 65-49-2 advantage in the all-time series. Tufts has won the last seven meetings after Bowdoin claimed five in a row from 2010-14. Last season, Michael Berluti posted three scores including one rushing on a 31-13 win over the Polar Bears. 

A Look At The Jumbos
The Jumbos come into Saturday's game riding high after back-to-back home wins against Bates College and Williams College at Ellis Oval. The Jumbos rank second in the NESCAC in total offense, averaging 30.3 points per game while tallying 457.0 yards per game on offense. The Jumbos have stampeded to 622 yards on the ground, which leads the NESCAC through three weeks. The 207.3 yards per game rushing is tops in the league, as is the 6.2 yards per carry on 101 attempts thus far. 

Junior rusher Chartellis Reece is second in the NESCAC in rushing with 326 yards on the ground, scoring three times on 48 attempts in 2023. Michael Berluti is also fourth in yards on the ground this season, tallying 218 so far along with one score against Bates College. Through the air, Berluti currently ranks fourth with 249.7 yards per game, tossing seven touchdowns including three each against Trinity College and Williams College. Jaden Richardson is second in the conference in receiving yards with 314, pulling in a NESCAC-high six touchdowns. Cade Moore has also caught 14 passes, while Henry Fleckner is 20th in the NESCAC with 10 grabs. 

On defense, EJ Comerford is fifth in the conference in tackles per game with 9.0, including 16 solo stops. Shane Reiner and Ed Iuteri each have 2.5 tackles for loss this season, while Louis Timmins is second in the league in passes defended with five. The defensive unit is currently ranked third in total defense, allowing just 334.3 yards per game. The passing defense has been stout, surrendering just 561 yards through three game. Tufts has also been strong on fourth downs defensively, stopping all four attempts against in 2023. 

On special teams, Patrick Walsh is averaging nearly 35 yards per attempt, adding two inside the 20-yard line. Vaughn Seelicke is also 3-for-3 for his attempts on field goals, making all but one of his 11 attempts on extra points.

A Look at the Polar Bears
Andrew Boel leads the NESCAC in passing after three weeks and is the only player in the conference with over 1,000 yards in the air the season (1,016). Colton Fahey also leads the conference in receiving yards (109.0 yards/game) and is tied for fourth in the conference with Brendan King at 17 catches on the year. 

Andre Eden is fifth in the NESCAC in rushing (201 yards). Defensively, Max Jacobs is among the league leaders in tackles (7.0/game), is second in the league with 4.5 sacks, and is tied for the NESCAC lead in tackles for loss (6.5). Bowdoin is third in the NESCAC in total offense (451.3 yards/game) and is fifth in scoring (24.3 points/game). Defensively, the Polar Bears rank fifth in yardage (346.0) and second in scoring (15.3 points/game).

The Polar Bears have been quite comfortable at the friendly confines of Whittier Field over the last two seasons, going 4-1 in their last five games at home. Bowdoin has won three straight at home for the first time since 2008-09, and is looking to win four straight at home for the first time since 1987.

The Polar Bears couldn't capitalize on a late chance to take the lead and dropped a 34-27 decision at Middlebury. Tufts has rebounded from a week one loss to Trinity to win two straight, including a 28-10 win over Williams last week.

Tailgate and Parking Information
Click this parking map for on-campus parking options and walking paths to Whittier Field. All Bowdoin football home games are free admission.

Digital Program
Beginning in the fall of 2021, the Bowdoin College Athletic Department made the change to digital game programs for all home events as part of an effort for a more sustainable campus, as well as providing up-to-the-minute information on game days. You can see today's game program here, or visit goubears.com/programs and scan the QR codes around the stadium.

Up Next
The Jumbos will return home October 14 to take on Wesleyan University for Friends and Family Weekend in Somerville at 6:30 p.m. in NESCAC play.