AMHERST, MA (September 27, 2025) -- The Tufts University football team attempted to rally in the second half after a big first-half deficit, but the response was not enough as the Jumbos fell on the road to host Amherst College 30-14 in action from Pratt Field at Lohrman Stadium Saturday.
The first half was the difference in the game, as Tufts (2-1) was unable to get much going offensively while the host Mammoths (2-1) had nearly 300 yards of offensive in the opening two quarters in building a 30-0 edge at the half.
After the break, Tufts took the opening kick-off of the third quarter and marched 84 yards over 11 plays before
Christian Shapiro pushed in from a yard out to make the score 30-6. It was the second touchdown of the season for the sophomore running back.
Tufts got another stop and then converted on its next drive, as
Justin Keller tossed his first collegiate touchdown to junior
Matt Rios from 11 yards away to finish a 7-play, 53-yard drive over 3:40.
The Jumbos got the ball back with a chance to make it a one-score game but their drive would stall at the Amherst 9-yard line. Tufts got another three-and-out on the next drive for Amherst, and moved the ball down the Amherst 9-yard line again, but the Shapiro was stopped at the five-yard line on 4th and goal to end the 13-play march.
Tufts defensive unit continued to stand with another three-and-out, but a final drive to pull closer for the Jumbos was unsuccessful as the Jumbos dropped their first game in the last eight outings.
Keller finished 19-for-33 for 171 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore
Hudson Weidman entered in relief and was 3-or-6 for 29 yards. Keller also rushed for a team-high 49 yards on 14 carries.
Shapiro tallied 25 yards on the ground on 13 carries, and senior
Khallid Calhoun had 21 yards on five carries.
Matt Greco had a team-high five catches Saturday for 37 yards, while Rios finished with four grabs for 35 yards and the score. Sophomore
Keller Rogers had two catches for a team-high 48 yards receiving, and
Henry Fleckner added four catches for 29 yards.
Jack Elliott also pulled in three receptions for 26 yards.
Senior
Ryan Saccu had eight tackles on three solo stops and five assisted tackles to lead the Jumbos, while
Riley Yaker also had eight stops.
Suleiman Abuaqel had five tackles, including two for loss, and
Cameron Pineda picked off another pass for his second in as many weeks.
Tufts finished with 23 first downs on the day, while holding a time of possession edge of 33:25 on the day. The Jumbos allowed just 41 yards of Mammoth offense in the second half, but four first-half touchdowns by Amherst were too much to overcome.
Marek Hill was 18-for-29 for 211 yards and three touchdowns for the Mammoths, adding 26 yards on the ground. Demitrius Smith had a touchdown and 78 yards rushing, and Carter Jung finished with six catches for 120 yards and a touchdown. Cato Legaspi also had two receiving touchdowns.
Tufts will be back in action Saturday, October 3 at 1:30 p.m. to take on Trinity College (2-1) in more NESCAC action.
--JUMBOS--
