SOMERVILLE, MA (October 19, 2024) -- The Tufts University defensive unit got a big stop with less than four minutes left in the game, and the offense was able to run the clock out to secure the win for a 20-13 victory against visiting Hamilton College in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) play from Ellis Oval.
The Jumbos got the opening kick-off and needed just three plays to break the ice on the scoring Saturday, as senior quarterback
Michael Berluti hit
Matt Rios from 46 yards out on a beautifully thrown ball over the shoulder to make it 7-0 just 22 seconds in to the game.
Tufts got the ball back after a 3-and-out on the first Continentals (0-6, 0-6 NESCAC) drive, but Tufts march towards the end zone on its second possession was stopped on a fumble at the Hamilton 13-yard line.
The two teams would trade possessions before Hamilton got on the board early on in the second quarter, as Carmelo Velardo nailed a 42-yard field goal to make it 7-3 with 8:07 remaining in the first half.
The Jumbos got the ball back with 4:49 to play in the second quarter and added on to its score, going 79 yards over five plays in 2:21 before Berluti walked into the end zone untouched on a five-yard scamper to make it 14-3. Hamilton would get its second field goal of the quarter with 15 seconds to go in the frame, but Tufts worked the ball 44 yards on two plays to get to the Hamilton 26 with four seconds left. Junior
Vaughn Seelicke stepped forward and connected on a career-high 43-yard field goal at the buzzer to make it 17-6 at the break.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, but early in the fourth Tufts continued to add on with another field goal as Seelicke was good from 28 yards out to make it 20-6. The field goal was Seelicke's 11th of the season, which tied the school record for makes in a year with Willie Holmquist back in 2015.
The Continentals would go to its passing attack after that field goal from Seelicke, and Luke Kurzam hit Ezra Lombardi for a six-yard touchdown catch with 11:31 to play in regulation to make it 20-13. The Jumbos were unable to cash in on their next drive but
Andrew Leigh pinned Hamilton deep with a 49-yard punt that rolled out of bounds inside the 1-yard line.
Hamilton was able to move the ball out of the shadows of its own goal posts, and converted a 4th and 9 but a holding penalty and sack put the drive on hold before
Riley Yaker ripped down Hamilton quarterback Luke Kurzam on 4th and 22 to end the drive.
Tufts got the ball on its own 21-yard line and converted two first downs before going into victory formation for the win.
Berluti finished 23-for-31 for 274 yards and two touchdowns (1 rushing), while also rushing for 43 yards.
Cade Moore pulled in five balls for 44 yards and
Henry Fleckner,
CJ Burton and
Matt Greco each had four catches. Rios pulled in a team-high 64 yards on three receptions including his score.
Special teams was strong for the Jumbos, as Seelicke made both of his field goal attempts and both extra points, while Leigh averaged 41.5 yards on his punts while putting two inside the 20 with a long of 50.
Defensively,
Henry Ferrelli had 10 total stops, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a pass breakup, while senior safety
Jameer Alves added six tackles, a sack and forced fumble.
AJ Lysko and
Jeff Xu each also had five tackles, and
Will Duncanson,
Javier Rios and
Vince Gilchrist all had sacks in the victory.
Tufts outgained Hamilton 388-360 for the game, while surrendering just 77 yards on the ground on 28 attempts. Hamilton held a huge 35:07 time of possession, but the Jumbos held the Continentals to 4-of-14 on third downs.
Kurzum was 28-of-39 for 283 yards and a score, and Nate Wildman had a team-best 38 yards on the ground.
Tufts will now hit the road for back-to-back road games, starting with a trip to Williamstown, MA next Saturday at 2 p.m. against Williams College in more league action.
--JUMBOS--
