LEWISTON, MAINE (October 12, 2024) -- The Tufts University football team scored 24 unanswered points to blow open a 7-7 game, while rushing for a season-high 211 yards in a 45-22 road win at Bates College in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) play from Garcelon Field.
The win was the third straight over the Bobcats (1-4, 1-4 NESCAC) while Tufts picked up its ninth win in the last 10 tries against Bates. The rushing attack was the key for the Jumbos, as Tufts posted 211 yards on 43 carries while scoring four times on the ground in the contest. It was the first time Tufts has posted four rushing touchdowns in a game since rushing for four last season against Colby College November 4, 2023. It was also the second straight season Tufts scored four rushing touchdowns against Bates, also accomplishing the feat last year in a 44-16 win in Medford.
The Jumbos wasted no time on offense in the opening drive of the game, going 62 yards over 10 plays before sophomore
Christian Shapiro bowled in for the first of his three touchdowns to make the score 7-0 at 9:01 of the opening quarter. Tufts got a stop on their first chance on the field, but a Tufts fumble gave the ball right back to the hosts. Bates would tie the game on that possession, as Colton Bosselait pushed in from a yard out to make it 7-7.
Tufts answered right back with a seven-play, 76-yard drive that ended in another one-yard touchdown scamper from Shapiro with 12:46 to go in the opening half. The big play on the drive was a 24-yard pass from
Michael Berluti to
Henry Fleckner down to the Bates 2. The Jumbos would hold on defense, and
Max Nunnally blocked a punt to give the ball back to Tufts at their own 43 yard line with just under nine minutes left in the half.
The scoring drives continued to come for Tufts, and this one ended with one of the wildest plays you'll see this season. On the Bates 22 Tufts ran an end around to Fleckner but instead he threw the ball back out to Berluti, who caught the pass and cruised into the end zone for his first career touchdown receiving. The play was reminiscent of the "Philly Special" in Super Bowl LII, run by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Leading 21-7, the Jumbos forced another 3-and-out and a 14-yard punt gave the ball back to Tufts at the Bates 45 yard line with 2:15 left. For the second straight week, Tufts worked a perfect two minute drill, going 45 yards over eight plays before Berluti took a RPO himself and beat the weak side linebacker to the pylon for a rushing score from three yards out and a 28-7 halftime lead.
In the third quarter,
Vaughn Seelicke made a 30-yard field goal to make the score 31-7 with 7:40 to go in the period. The field goal was Seelicke's ninth of the season, which tied his career-high for field goal makes in a season with his sophomore year in 2023.
After Bates made it a two-score game at 31-15, the Jumbos put together another stellar drive as it trekked 75 yards on 12 plays before Berluti hit
Cade Moore in the back of the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown catch for the senior. It was his 10th career touchdown catch for Moore, and fourth of the 2024 season.
The hosts answered one more time, but Tufts would get a late stop deep in Bates' territory and three plays later Shapiro picked up his third score of the game to put a lid on the scoring.
Shapiro was the bell cow running back on the night for Tufts, carrying the ball 26 times for 107 yards and his three touchdowns. Berluti added 49 yards on eight carries, while
Aundre Smith averaged 5.9 yards per carry for 41 yards on seven attempts.
Berluti finished 15-for-21 through the air with his one touchdown pass, while scoring a touchdown with his feet and his hands. He becomes the first Jumbo to post a passing, receiving and rushing touchdown in the same season since Dom Borelli accomplished the feat in 2018.
Moore tallied six grabs for 62 yards and his score as the leading receiver for Tufts. On the defensive side of the ball,
Henry Ferrelli had seven tackles, while
Will Duncanson added six stops as well.
Ty Richardson picked off his fourth pass of the season, tops in the NESCAC, as Tufts allowed only 117 passing yards all night.
Tufts posted a 371-279 edge in total yards along with a 28-15 advantage in first downs on the night. Sophomore
Andrew Leigh also had a solid night in his two attempts punting, averaging 44 yards on his kicks with both landing inside the 20.
Ryan Lynskey rushed for 74 yards and a score for Bates, and Bosselait was 4-for-12 for 100 yards passing.
Tufts returns to Ellis Oval on Saturday, October 19 for Parents and Family Weekend, hosting Hamilton College at 1 p.m.
--JUMBOS--
