LEWISTON, ME (October 3, 2026) -- Senior linebacker Riley Yaker blocked a potential game-winning 33-yard field goal with no time remaining, helping the Tufts University football team rally for a thrilling 22-21 win over host Bates College in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) play from Garcelon Field Saturday night under the lights. 

The final four minutes of the contest Saturday were action packed, as the Jumbos (2-1) trailed 21-14 with 3:47 to go in regulation. Down one score, junior Hudson Weidman orchestrated a game-winning drive late, completing four of his five passes on a 7-play, 90-yard drive. After big catches on the drive by senior Christian Shapiro and junior John Getman, Weidman hit Getman in the back of the end zone to make it 21-20 Bates with 51 seconds to play. 

Head coach Jay Civetti elected to go for the two-point conversion, and Weidman hit Shapiro on a quick out for a successful two-point conversion and a 22-21 lead.

Bates (0-3) got the ball back and wouldn't go away, as the Bobcats moved the ball into field goal range with two seconds to play. After a timeout by the hosts, the attempt to win the game by Bates was blocked by Yaker, as he pushed through the line on the left side and got his right hand on the ball to secure the victory for the Jumbos. 

The Jumbos got out to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter, as Shapiro scored from nine yards out on the ground before catching a 20-yard swing pass from Weidman at the 11:55 mark of the second quarter. 

Bates scored the next three touchdowns, taking the lead at the 3:01 mark of the third quarter on a Jack Gilmore touchdown pass to Cole Piasecynski. Tufts was unable to do much through the middle of the game offensively, but 148 of the 182 yards of offense in the second half came in the fourth frame as Tufts found its footing and its second win of the season. 

Weidman finished 15-for-27 for 194 yards and two touchdowns, throwing his first two interceptions of the season as well. Weidman added 15 yards rushing on 10 carries as well. Shapiro had 172 all-purpose yards Saturday, rushing for 111 yards on 21 carries and one score. He also added three catches for 61 yards and another touchdown. 

Getman caught a team-best five balls for 70 yards and his first career touchdown reception. Senior Matt Rios pulled in three balls for 25 yards, while Keller Rogers notched two receptions for 29 yards. Junior Granville Anderson II also had two catches Saturday. 

Senior Justin Keller had his best game as a defender on Saturday, making seven stops including one for loss. Junior Dazer van Leeuwen also had seven tackles and one TFL, while Ryan Horigan had five solo tackles.

Sophomore Lucas Gonzalez had his second interception of the year, and forced a fumble along with three tackles. Senior Will Astorino also had a sack for the Jumbos defensively. 

Tufts finished with 323 yards of total offense, going 4-for-11 on third downs in the win. Tufts was once again very efficient in the red zone, scoring touchdowns in all three of its trips inside the 20-yard line. 

Ryan Foley rushed for 103 yards for Bates, while Gilmore was 13-for-18 for 241 yards and two scores (one rushing). Jeff Vidou had five receptions for 63 yards, and Riley Provencher led the Bobcats with 68 yards receiving. Liam Keaney had two sacks, eight tackles and three tackles for loss for Bates.

Tufts returns to Ellis Oval next Saturday, October 10 at 5 p.m., hosting Bowdoin College in NESCAC action in Somerville, MA.