BRUNSWICK, MAINE (September 13, 2025) -- The Tufts University football team picked off two passes while holding the host Bowdoin College Polar Bears to 175 yards of offense to post a season-opening 13-0 win in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) action from Whittier Field Saturday afternoon.
The Jumbos (1-0, 1-0 NESCAC) chalked up its third shutout in the last three seasons, while it marked the first road shutout since blanking Bowdoin back on October 6, 2018.
A defensive struggle, the Jumbos came out early and set a tone with a three-and-out capped by a sack by
Steven Rauso to get the ball for the first time this season. The opening drive was a clinical march for the Jumbos, moving the ball 84 yards over 13 plays before senior
Chartellis Reece pushed in from seven yards to make it 7-0.
After the Jumbos forced another punt, Tufts logged another 13-play drive, this time finishing with three points thanks to a 25-yard field goal by
Vaughn Seelicke with 9:08 to go in the opening half. Bowdoin would get its offense going on its next possession, but
Nate Sousa ended the drive with his first career interception.
Tufts would have a chance to add to its lead right before the half but couldn't capitalize as the contest went to the half with the Jumbos up 10-0.
After halftime, the Jumbos took the opening kickoff and marched 70 yards before Seelicke nailed a 22-yard field goal to make it 13-0. That's all the offense the Jumbos would need, forcing three punts while sealing the game on an interception by senior
Vince Gilchrist off of a deflection.
Junior
Justin Keller got his first career start on Saturday afternoon, going 12-for-19 for 143 while rushing for 35 yards on 10 carries. Junior
Christian Shapiro gained 84 yards on 17 totes, including a long of 24 yards, and Reece added 12 yards on seven carries and the lone score of the game.
Sophomore signal caller
Hudson Weidman worked one series, completing both of his passes while adding 22 yards on the ground, and
Khallid Calhoun added 14 rushing yards as well.
Junior
Matt Rios led the Jumbos receiving with 51 yards on four receptions, while
Henry Fleckner pulled in two balls for 35 yards.
Matt Greco tallied 21 yards on a pair of catches as well. The Jumbos finished with 318 yards of total offense, while posting a decided 37:21-22:39 edge in time of possession.
The Jumbos were also 8-of-15 on third downs, while getting off the field on seven of nine third-down chances by Bowdoin.
Defensively,
Johnny Ferrelli finished with a team-high six tackles and a half-sack, while
Suleiman Abuaqel had four tackles and a sack and a half in the win. Tufts also got three tackles and a sack from Rauso, while
Trevor Hillier had three stops including one for loss.
Michael Wolfendale was 7-for-14 for 101 yards and two interceptions for Bowdoin (0-1), adding 41 yards on the ground.
Tufts will open its 2025 home slate on Saturday, September 20 at 7 p.m. at Ellis Oval, hosting Wesleyan University in league play.
--JUMBOS--
