MEDFORD, MA (September 19, 2024) -- The Tufts University football squad hits the road for the first time in 2024, as the Jumbos travel to Middletown, CT for a big New England Small College Athleti Conference (NESCAC) tilt with Wesleyan University. Tufts is coming off a 23-21 win over Bowdoin College on Homecoming 2024, getting two touchdown rushes from sophomore
Christian Shapiro while junior kicker
Vaughn Seelicke added three field goals in the win. The Jumbo defense was also very strong, allowing just 273 yards of total offense including just 128 yards passing.
Game Details
Opponent: at Wesleyan University (1-0, 1-0 NESCAC)
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Middletown, CT –
Corwin Stadium -
DIRECTIONS - Tailgating
Weather: Partly Cloudy, Low 70s, Chance of Rain: 10%, Wind: NNE 5-10 MPH
Live Coverage:
LIVE STATS –
LIVE VIDEO
Cardinals vs. Jumbos All-Time
Six of the last seven contests between the teams have been decided by one score. Adding to the excitement, seven of the last eight games between the teams have been played under the lights. That includes the first night game in conference history (2013) and the first night game in Jumbo football history (2016). That will be the setting again this week in Middletown.
Last year in Medford, Tufts dominated the contest 49-14 thanks to two touchdown catches each from
Jaden Richardson and
Cade Moore, while
Chartellis Reece also rushed for two touchdowns in the game. Tufts led 42-7 at the halftime break, as the Jumbos posted 483 yards of total offense and converted seven of 10 third downs in the contest. This series has been tight over the last seven meetings, with Wesleyan holding a slight 4-3 edge. Wesleyan has held serve at home though, as Tufts last win in Middletown was 2005, a 16-6 win for the blue and brown.
A Look At The Jumbos (1-0)
Coming off the first season opening win since the 2019 season, Tufts looks to get to 2-0 for the first time since 2018 when Tufts started the campaign 4-0 en route to a 7-2 season. Tufts knocked off Bowdoin College last weekend 23-21, getting a 21-yard field goal from Seelicke with 7:55 left for the margin of victory. Bowdoin was driving late in the game, but a
Ty Richardson interception helped seal the victory.
Senior quarterback
Michael Berluti threw for 321 games in the contest, as
Cade Moore had 82 yards receiving on six catches.
Matt Rios also had five grabs for 78 yards, and
Jack Elliott added 71 yards receiving including a big 51-yard catch in the second half to help set up the game-winning field goal. Defensively,
Dom DeCrescenzo finished with seven tackles while
Johnny Ferrelli also had seven stops and a sack. Richardson picked off two passes, and
Jameer Alves had six tackles and a pass break-up as well.
After one game, Tufts ranks third in the league in total offense with 407 yards against Bowdoin, including a league-best 321 passing yards. Tufts is second in the conference in defensive efficiency with a 80.2 mark. The Jumbos will look to improve on their third-down rate of 28.6 percent in week one, but Tufts did come away with points in all five red-zone chances.
Christian Shapiro ranks sixth in the NESCAC in rushing after one week of action with his 62 yards, as he's one of three players with two rushing scores. Berluti leads the conference in yards, while Moore and Rios are seventh and eighth in yards in the league. Senior
Henry Fleckner is also 14th with his 66 yards on five grabs against Bowdoin.
Aundre Smith is second in the NESCAC in punt return yardage as well with 30 yards on four returns.
A Look At The Cardinals (1-0)
Wesleyan is coming off an emphatic 43-7 road win at Middlebury College in Week 1, leading 37-0 in that game in the third quarter before adding on another score in the fourth frame. Niko Candido was 10-for-19 for 273 yards and two scores, also rushing for 48 yards on 12 attempts. Tyler Flynn rushed for 80 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns against Middlebury, and Chase Wilson finished with 155 yards on four catches.
The Wesleyan defense was strong on third down, holding Middlebury to just two conversions on 14 attempts. The Cardinals were also 4-for-4 on red-zone chances, and averaged 27.3 yards per catch. Wesleyan has the league's top offensive unit through one game with 459 yards, averaging 7.1 yards per play. Wesleyan rushed for 186 yards in Week 1, second-best in the NESCAC.
Head coach Dan DiCenzo is in his 15th season at Wesleyan and 10th as head coach. The Cardinals are 49-22 during his tenure and have posted a winning record in every season he's been a head coach at Wesleyan.
NESCAC Week 2 Schedule
Middlebury at Bowdoin - 1 p.m.
Williams at Colby - 1 p.m.
Amherst at Hamilton - 1 p.m.
Trinity at Bates - 1 p.m.
Tufts at Wesleyan - 7 p.m.
Up Next
Tufts return homes Saturday, September 28 at 1 p.m. to host Amherst College at Ellis Oval in NESCAC play. Wesleyan will host Bates College next Saturday at 1 p.m.
--JUMBOS--
