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Offensive Unit Takes Field against Bates College.

Football

Jumbos Head To New York To Battle Hamilton

MEDFORD, MA (October 16, 2025) -- The Tufts University football team will look to get back into the win columbn this weekend on the road, traveling to Clinton, NY to take on Hamilton College in more New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) action. The Jumbos are coming off a heartbreaking 35-28 home loss to Bates College on Homecoming, as the Bobcats scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to come from behind for the win. Despite that loss, Tufts saw sophomore quarterback Hudson Weidman have his best performance of his career, tossing for over 200 yards and three scores in the defeat. 

Game Details
Opponent: at Hamilton College (1-4, 1-4 NESCAC)
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Clinton, N.Y. – Stueben Field - Directions 
Weather: Clear, Low 60s, Chance of Rain: 20%, Wind: WNW 5-10 MPH
Live CoverageLIVE STATS – LIVE VIDEO

Continentals vs. Jumbos All-Time
The Jumbos have played Hamilton the fewest amount of times of any NESCAC school, as Tufts and Hamilton have only played 26 previous times as the series dates back to 1976. Tufts holds a 19-7 edge in the all-time series and has won three of the last four contests. One of the wildest games between the two squads came two years ago in Clinton, as the Continentals upset Tufts 36-34 in five overtimes. Dating back to 2011 though, the Jumbos have won seven of the last 10 meetings. Last season, Tufts led the entire game and held off a late charge in Somerville to take a 20-13 win. Michael Berluti tossed 274 yards and one score for Tufts, adding a rushing touchdown as well. Henry Ferrelli had 10 tackles, a forced fumble and a break-up for the Jumbos in the win. 

A Look at the Jumbos (2-3, 2-3 NESCAC)
Tufts will look to snap a three-game losing skid this weekend on the road, as it's the first time since the 2021 season that the Jumbos have lost three straight. 

Last weekend, Tufts fell to Bates on Homecoming but the offense put up its highest total of the season with 28 points as it tossed a season-high 204 yards through the air along with three touchdowns. Hudson Weidman posted career-high totals of 74 rushing yards, 204 yards passing and three scores, while Christian Shapiro also scored once on the ground to go with 56 yards rushing. 

Henry Fleckner had a team-high 73 yards receiving on five catches with one touchdown, and Matt Greco had five receptions for 45 yards. Keller Rogers and Matt Rios each scored on their lone catch. Defensively, Vince Gilchrist had a strong night with 10 tackles and a blocked extra punt late in the fourth. 

Offensively, Tufts has found consistency through a combination of a strong ground game and a deep passing attack. The Jumbos are averaging 289.8 yards per game, with 134 rushing yards and 155.8 passing yards per contest. The offense has steadily improved its efficiency, converting over 41 percent of third downs while maintaining solid time of possession at 30 minutes per game. That balance has allowed the Jumbos to sustain drives, control tempo, and put together meaningful scoring opportunities against some of the conference's top defenses.

The running attack has been a steady force, led by Christian Shapiro, who has emerged as one of the most dependable backs in the NESCAC. Shapiro leads Tufts with 268 rushing yards and four touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry and showing the ability to move the chains consistently. Justin Keller has provided valuable dual-threat ability, rushing for 173 yards, while Hudson Weidman and Khallid Calhoun have chipped in as change-of-pace options. The collective effort has given Tufts a reliable identity on the ground, setting up play-action opportunities and keeping defenses honest.

At quarterback, the tandem of Justin Keller and Hudson Weidman has provided stability and leadership. Keller has started four of five games, completing over 60 percent of his passes for 495 yards and two touchdowns, while also contributing as a runner. Weidman has been particularly efficient in his appearances, throwing for 259 yards and three scores with a 138.6 passer rating. Their combined performance has kept the Tufts offense balanced and productive, allowing the team to adapt its game plan week to week based on matchups.

Tufts' receiving group has showcased strong depth and versatility. Matt Rios leads the team with 186 receiving yards and three touchdowns, serving as a reliable target in key moments. Matt Greco (157 yards) and Henry Fleckner (137 yards, one touchdown) have complemented Rios with steady production, while Shapiro's 16 receptions out of the backfield have added another layer to the offense. Big-play threat Keller Rogers has also made his mark, averaging an impressive 30 yards per catch, including a 42-yard touchdown last week that demonstrated Tufts' ability to strike downfield.

Defensively, Tufts has built a foundation on energy and opportunism. The Jumbos have recorded five interceptions, four sacks, and 14.5 tackles for loss, routinely creating takeaways and momentum-changing plays. Cameron Pineda has been a standout, recording three interceptions, including a 64-yard pick-six, while Johnny Ferrelli and Riley Yaker have anchored the linebacking corps with a combined 61 tackles. Up front, Suleiman Abuaqel has emerged as a disruptive presence with 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks, setting the tone in the trenches.

Special teams have been another bright spot for the Jumbos this fall. Vaughn Seelicke has been one of the most consistent kickers in the conference, converting 4 of 5 field goals—including a season-long 41-yarder—and going a perfect 9-for-9 on PATs. Keller Rogers has provided a spark in the return game, averaging 29.4 yards per kickoff return, highlighted by a 71-yard burst against Wesleyan that flipped field position in a crucial moment. Caden Lawlor has handled kickoff duties with precision, averaging nearly 52 yards per kick, while punter Andrew Leigh has pinned opponents deep with consistent accuracy.

A Look At The Continentals (1-4, 1-4 NESCAC)
Hamilton enters this weekend's matchup looking to regroup after a challenging stretch that's left the Continentals at 1–4 overall and 1–4 in the NESCAC. Despite showing flashes of progress offensively, Hamilton has struggled to keep pace with conference opponents, being outscored 165–71 through five games. The team's lone win came in Week 3 with a convincing 27–13 victory over Bowdoin, but the Continentals have since dropped back-to-back contests to Wesleyan and Trinity, including a 49–0 setback last time out.

Offensively, Hamilton has leaned heavily on its passing attack, averaging 245.6 yards per game through the air compared to just 75.0 on the ground. Quarterback Luke Kurzum has been at the center of that production, completing nearly 59 percent of his passes (105-for-178) for 1,211 yards and eight touchdowns against three interceptions. The sophomore signal caller has shown command in the pocket, spreading the ball around effectively to a deep group of receivers.

Hamilton's receiving corps features multiple reliable options, led by Matthew Kearns, who has emerged as the top target with 18 receptions for 317 yards and three touchdowns. Liam Leonard (17 catches, 185 yards, 1 TD) and Alastair Orr (17 receptions, 159 yards, 1 TD) have provided complementary options in the short and intermediate passing game. Tight end Jack Hoag has been a red zone factor, hauling in two touchdown receptions, while versatile back Colin Kelter and receiver Chester Boynton have added depth to the passing rotation.

The ground attack remains an area of concern for the Continentals, who average just 3.3 yards per carry and have scored only two rushing touchdowns all season. Alastair Orr leads the team with 156 yards and one score, while Luke Kurzum has chipped in 86 yards on scrambles. The offensive line has faced pressure consistently, surrendering 11 sacks through five games, which has limited Hamilton's ability to sustain balance on offense.

Defensively, Hamilton has battled but often spent too much time on the field, with opponents controlling over 33 minutes of possession per game. The Continentals have allowed 418 yards and 33 points per contest, including 198 rushing yards per game. The defense has been most effective in the secondary, picking off one pass and breaking up nine others, but the front seven has struggled to generate consistent pressure with just one sack on the year.

Linebacker Mat Bucher anchors the defense with 37 total tackles and four tackles for loss, while John Young (32 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1 forced fumble) provides steady production alongside him. Jake Iacobaccio, Ian Redzepagic, and Nico Obregon have each been active in coverage, combining for several pass breakups and one interception. Up front, James Bailey has been the team's lone source of quarterback disruption with Hamilton's only sack of the season.

On special teams, Carmelo Velardo handles the kicking duties, having converted 8 of 9 PATs and 1 of 5 field goals, with a long of 26 yards. Liam Leonard doubles as the team's primary return man, averaging 18.2 yards on kickoffs and 1.4 yards per punt return. Punter Henry Rubey has been busy, booting 20 times at an average of 34.2 yards per punt, with five downed inside the 20-yard line. Field position has been an ongoing challenge, with opponents averaging nearly 39 yards per punt in comparison.

Week 6 NESCAC Schedule
Bowdoin at Wesleyan (1 PM)
Colby at Amherst (1 PM)
Tufts at Hamilton (1 PM)
Middlebury at Trinity (1 PM)
Williams at Bates (1 PM)

--JUMBOS--

 
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Players Mentioned

Michael Berluti

#8 Michael Berluti

QB
6' 1"
Senior
Henry Ferrelli

#35 Henry Ferrelli

DB
6' 0"
Senior
Suleiman Abuaqel

#95 Suleiman Abuaqel

DL
6' 2"
Senior
Khallid Calhoun

#1 Khallid Calhoun

RB
5' 9"
Senior
Johnny Ferrelli

#4 Johnny Ferrelli

LB
6' 1"
Junior
Henry Fleckner

#2 Henry Fleckner

WR
6' 0"
Graduate Student
Vince Gilchrist

#0 Vince Gilchrist

DL
6' 3"
Senior
Matt Greco

#9 Matt Greco

WR
5' 10"
Junior
Justin Keller

#6 Justin Keller

QB
6' 2"
Junior
Caden Lawlor

#41 Caden Lawlor

K
5' 10"
Junior
Andrew Leigh

#31 Andrew Leigh

K/P
5' 7"
Junior
Cameron Pineda

#22 Cameron Pineda

DB
5' 10"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Michael Berluti

#8 Michael Berluti

6' 1"
Senior
QB
Henry Ferrelli

#35 Henry Ferrelli

6' 0"
Senior
DB
Suleiman Abuaqel

#95 Suleiman Abuaqel

6' 2"
Senior
DL
Khallid Calhoun

#1 Khallid Calhoun

5' 9"
Senior
RB
Johnny Ferrelli

#4 Johnny Ferrelli

6' 1"
Junior
LB
Henry Fleckner

#2 Henry Fleckner

6' 0"
Graduate Student
WR
Vince Gilchrist

#0 Vince Gilchrist

6' 3"
Senior
DL
Matt Greco

#9 Matt Greco

5' 10"
Junior
WR
Justin Keller

#6 Justin Keller

6' 2"
Junior
QB
Caden Lawlor

#41 Caden Lawlor

5' 10"
Junior
K
Andrew Leigh

#31 Andrew Leigh

5' 7"
Junior
K/P
Cameron Pineda

#22 Cameron Pineda

5' 10"
Sophomore
DB