MEDFORD, MA (September 23, 2025) -- Tufts University sophomore defensive back
Cameron Pineda was named as the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Defensive Player of the Week on Monday afternoon, and followed that up by earning a spot on the D3football.com Team of the Week for the season's third week of action.
Pineda had his best game as a Jumbo on Saturday in a 22-20 win over Wesleyan in Tufts' home opener. He had the most pivotal play of the game, returning an interception 64 yards for a touchdown to put the Jumbos up 14-7. He also added eight tackles, including a team-high seven solo stops. The interception was the first of his career, while one of his solo tackles saved a touchdown in the first half.
Pineda becomes the first Jumbo to be honored since Week 10 of the 2023 season when Ed Iuteru was honored at defensive tackle. Pineda is only the third defensive back from Tufts to earn the honor joining Mark Tilki, who was honored on the squad in Week 10 of 2001 and Week 5 of the 2003 season, and Mike Stearns in 2014. He also becomes the sixth defensive player for Tufts, and the 18th all-time selection for the Jumbos.
The 18 all-time picks for Tufts are second all-time of any NESCAC school, behind just the 22 from Colby College.
Tufts takes on Amherst College this weekend in Amherst at 1 p.m. in more NESCAC play.
--JUMBOS--
