MIDDLEBURY, VT (November 11, 2023) -- The Tufts University football squad battled back to trim its deficit to two in the third quarter, but a late interception sealed the win for host Middlebury College in a 19-10 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) win in Alumni Stadium. 

The game was a defensive struggle for a pair of high-powered offenses, though the Jumbos were able to churn out 443 yards of offense including 211 on the ground. Late in the game down just two, Tufts trailed 12-10 with the ball at midfield but John McCool picked off a pass and returned the interception 59 yards for the deciding play of the day. 

The game to to that point though Middlebury had chances as well, but the Jumbos defense was able to stall the Panther drives multiple times with the first coming to an end on an interception by Drew Guida in the end zone. The Jumbos would take their first drive and work their way all the way down to the Middlebury 1, but the Panthers held on the goal line to force a turnover on downs and keep the game scoreless. 

The first points of the day came in the second quarter, as Zach Levy connected on a 27-yard field goal to make it 3-0. The two teams exchanged three-and-outs, and Tufts had a chance to get on the board but a 41-yard field goal attempt by Vaughn Seelicke was blocked. On the ensuing drive, Middlebury doubled its lead with another field goal, this time coming from 40 yards out to make it 6-0. The Middlebury lead doubled to 12-0 just before the half, as Carter Stockwell took advantage of a pass interference call on the prior play, pushing in from two yards out with 3:06 left in the half. 

The Jumbos (6-3) were able to work a successful two-minute drill late in the second period, as a 31-yard Cade Moore reception from junior Michael Berluti put the Jumbos at the MIddlebury 6. The drive stalled there, but the Jumbos got a 23-yard field goal from Seelicke to make it 12-3 at the break. 

In the third quarter, Louis Timmins posted an interception on Middlebury's first possession of the half and the Jumbos turned that into points as they trekked 87 yards over 10 plays before Chartellis Reece scored from two yards out to make it 12-10. 

From that point, both defensive units buckled down, forcing four straight three-and-outs while neither team seemed to want to give an inch. After Tufts forced a punt with 2:43 left in the game, the Jumbos got the ball back at their own 15. A pass interference call and 15-yard catch by senior Robbie Moret moved the ball to the Jumbo 49, but two plays later McCool secured the win for the Panthers with the pick-six. 

Berluti finished the game 19-of-41 for 232 yards, also gaining 61 yards on the ground. Reece posted yet another 100-yard game for the Jumbos, as the tailback averaged 6.3 yards per carry on 20 totes as he totaled 125 yards on the ground. Reece finished the season with 808 yards in 2023, the most for a Jumbos rusher since Chance Brady rushed for 1099 yards in eight games in 2016. Aundre Smith also finished with 25 yards on three carries for Tufts. 

Moore logged 83 yards on five receptions for the Jumbos, while Jaden Richardson also pulled in five balls for 66 yards. Moret tallied 59 yards on four grabs, and CJ Burton also caught two balls of 18 yards. Guida finished with six tackles, a forced fumble and an interception for Tufts, and Javier Rios also had six stops, 1.5 tackles for loss and two hurries. Graduate student punter Patrick Walsh averaged 42 yards per punt Saturday on his four attempts, putting one inside the 20 as well. 

Brian Moran came on in relief of Cole Kennon at quarterback for Middlebury, completing 7-of-15 for 104 yards, while Stockwell posted 78 yards on 20 carries and a score for the Panthers. Patrick Jamin also pulled in six balls for 114 yards, and McCool tallied 11 stops and the clinching interception. 

Rocco Stola also had four pass break-ups in the win for Middlebury, who was outgained 443-269. Tufts also posted a 32:55-27:05 edge in time of possession, and held Middlebury to three conversions in 11 attempts on third down. 

Middlebury can clinch a share of the NESCAC title next Saturday at Colby College with a win, and can still win the outright title if Trinity College falls to Bowdoin College next Saturday. Both games are make-up contests from game's postponed on October 28. 

The Jumbos finish the season 6-3 for the second straight year, and the 12 wins in two years is the most for Tufts since tallying 12 over 2016-17.