CLINTON, NY (October 18, 2025) -- The Tufts University football team snapped a three-game losing skid Saturday afternoon at Hamilton College, posting a season-high 38 points on 474 yards of offense to roll past the Continentals 38-28 in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) play from Stueben Field.
The Jumbos' offensive output of 474 yards are the most in a game since putting up 514 yards against Williams College back in 2023 in a 28-10 home win over the Ephs, while the offensive output was the most in a road win in 20 seasons. Highlighting the afternoon was the play from sophomore signal caller
Hudson Weidman, who tossed for a career-high 319 yards and three touchdowns as he went 29-for-41 on the game. It was the first time since last season's season-opening win over Bowdoin that Tufts has thrown for 300 or more yards in a game.
Weidman was aided but a strong effort on the ground by the Jumbos, as sophomore
Christian Shapiro broke out for a season-high 120 yards on 19 carries, scoring three times (two rushing) while averaging 6.3 yards per tote. Senior
Chartellis Reece returned to action and added 37 yards rushing, along with four grabs for 47 yards receiving.
Henry Fleckner was the leading receiver for the Jumbos with seven catches for 98 yards, and Shapiro also added five grabs for 28 yards and a touchdown.
Matt Greco pulled in four grabs for 31 yards, and
Jack Elliott added three receptions for 33 yards and a touchdown.
Keller Rogers needed just one catch to add his second touchdown catch of the season, a 43-yard scoring grab early in the first quarter.
The Jumbos would score first with 9:46 to play in the opening quarter on the Rogers' touchdown reception, doubling its lead to 14-0 on a Shapiro receiving touchdown with no time left in the first quarter to finish a 14-play, 85-yard drive over 8:17. Hamilton rallied back with two touchdowns in the second quarter, but a late field goal from
Vaughn Seelicke from 26 yards out made it 17-14 at the intermission.
Tufts scored the lone touchdown of the third quarter on a three-yard score from Shapiro on the ground, capping a 10-play, 61-yard match to make the score 24-14.
The lead would swell to 31-14 early in the fourth quarter, as Weidman was rushed out of the pocket on 3rd and Goal but was able to connect with Elliott for a four-yard touchdown pass to put Tufts up three scores.
Hamilton didn't go away though, scoring two touchdowns over a six-minute stretch to make it 31-28 with 3:32 to go in the game. The ensuing kick-off would go out-of-bounds, and Shapiro took the next play from scrimmage 46 yards for a score to put the game away. After getting Hamilton to turn the ball over on downs in its next possession, the Jumbos were able to ice the game away before going into victory formation.
Ryan Horigan finished with a team-high nine tackles along with a sack to lead the way for the Jumbos, while
Johnny Ferrelli,
Cameron Pineda and
Nate Sousa each had five tackles apiece.
Suleiman Abuaqel also had two sacks for the Jumbos. Junior
Andrew Leigh put all three of his punts inside the 20, averaging 40.3 yards per kick, while Seelicke made all five of his extra points along with his field goal.
With the win, head coach
Jay Civetti moved to within one of tying for the all-time wins lead as head coach at Tufts. He trails Lewis Manley and his 60 wins by just one after his 59th career win Saturday.
Hamilton's Luke Kurzam went 21-for-35 for 277 yards and three touchdowns, adding a rushing touchdown as well for the Continentals (1-5, 1-5 NESCAC).
Tufts hosts Williams College (5-1, 5-1 NESCAC) next weekend at Ellis Oval on September 25 at 1:30 p.m.
--JUMBOS--
