MEDFORD, MA (November 10, 2026) -- The Tufts University football team will finish its 2026 campaign Saturday afternoon at Ellis Oval, as it will celebrate Senior Day with a home tilt against Middlebury College. The Jumbos are coming off its most complete victory of the season last weekend, dominating Colby College 26-7 to finish the season 3-1 on the road in 2026. Sophomore quarterback
Nate Johnson had two scores in the contest, while
Christian Shapiro rushed for a touchdown as well. The defense was stellar as well, allowing Colby to run only 35 total plays in the victory. Middlebury edged Hamilton College 20-17 to keep control of the Old Rocking Chair, the trophy it has held since 1996.Â
Game Details
Opponent: vs. Middlebury College (4-4, 4-4 NESCAC)
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Somerville, Mass. –
Ellis Oval
Weather: Cloudy, High Low 40s, Chance of Rain: 15%, Wind: SE 10 MPH
Live Coverage:Â
LIVE STATS –Â
LIVE VIDEO
Tufts vs. Middlebury All-Time
Dating back to 1976, the Jumbos are 18-16 against Middlebury College as these two teams have played the season finale every season since 1993. After a 13-game winning streak for Middlebury from 2002 to 2014, the series has been very even with Tufts holding a 6-4 record over those 10 meetings. Tufts has won the last two meetings in Somerville, including a 17-7 win two seasons ago highlighted by senior back-up quarterback Luke Leongas coming in late in the game and leading a game-clinching TD drive. Last year, Tufts stormed back with 10 points in the final 4:49 to tie the game at 27 at the end of regulation. Middlebury would win in OT though, taking a 33-30 win.Â
Honoring The Seniors
The Jumbos will honor the Tufts football senior class Saturday prior to the game at 11:45 AM, 45 minutes prior to kick-off on Ellis Oval. Tufts will be honoring seniors
Johnny Ferrelli,
Christian Shapiro,
Matt Rios,
Justin Keller,
Gabe Fitzgerald,
Matt Greco,
Nico Schactman,
Ben Frisoli,
Andrew Leigh,
Riley Yaker,
Heath Bradfield,
Caden Lawlor,
AJ Lysko,
Charlie Kremin,
Brad Abbott,
Ian Miller, James Thon,
Eli McElwaney,
Ned Righellis,
Will Astorino,
Parker Scott and managers Andy Baack,
John Carey, Lloyd Walter and
Justin Slabaugh.Â
A Look At The Jumbos (5-3)
Tufts enters its season finale against Middlebury with a 5-3 overall record, as it tries to get to at least six wins for the fourth time in the last five seasons. The Jumbos have put together several impressive performances throughout the season, including a 42-28 season-opening victory over Hamilton, a 24-21 road win at Williams, and a 26-7 victory at Colby on Nov. 7. Tufts has scored 171 points through eight games, averaging 21.4 points per contest, which ranks fifth in the NESCAC. The Jumbos have scored 22 touchdowns and added five field goals, while their 171 points represent the fifth-highest scoring total in the conference.
The Tufts offense has produced 2,373 yards of total offense, averaging 296.6 yards per game. The Jumbos have been particularly effective on the ground, accumulating 1,106 rushing yards and averaging 138.3 yards per game, the second-highest total in the NESCAC. Tufts has also been one of the conference's most effective teams at sustaining drives, converting 50 of 112 third-down opportunities (44.6 percent), ranking third in the league. The Jumbos have been even more successful on fourth down, converting 11 of 19 attempts (57.9 percent), the second-best rate in the conference. Tufts has also controlled the clock, averaging 33:36 in time of possession per game, second in the NESCAC.
Senior Christian Shapiro has been one of the conference's most productive offensive players. In six games, he has rushed for 535 yards on 129 carries, averaging 4.1 yards per attempt and 89.2 yards per game. His rushing average ranks third in the NESCAC, while his nine rushing touchdowns are among the conference leaders. Shapiro has also contributed 15 receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown, giving him 691 all-purpose yards. His 115.2 all-purpose yards per game rank third in the conference. Shapiro has scored 10 total touchdowns and leads the NESCAC in scoring average at 10.3 points per game, while his 62 total points rank second in the league.
The Jumbos have received important contributions from their backfield and passing game as well. Caden McCallum has rushed for 227 yards and two touchdowns on 65 carries, averaging 32.4 yards per game. Nate Johnson has added 193 rushing yards and four touchdowns, including a season-long run of 56 yards. Through seven games, Johnson has completed 69 of 111 passes for 779 yards and two touchdowns. He has also accounted for 972 yards of total offense, averaging 138.9 yards per game, which ranks eighth in the NESCAC. Hudson Weidman has completed 37 of 69 passes for 488 yards and five touchdowns in four games, giving Tufts another productive option at quarterback.
Tufts has featured a balanced receiving group, led by Keller Rogers, John Getman and Matt Rios. Rogers leads the team with 21 receptions for 319 yards, averaging 15.2 yards per catch, and has recorded a season-long reception of 63 yards. Getman has also made 21 catches, totaling 254 yards and averaging 12.1 yards per reception. Rios has contributed 16 receptions for 245 yards, averaging 15.3 yards per catch, and leads the team with two receiving touchdowns. Shapiro has added 15 catches for 156 yards and a touchdown, while Caden McCallum has recorded 12 receptions for 121 yards. Rogers has also been a major contributor on special teams, returning 17 kickoffs for 302 yards. His 633 all-purpose yards rank ninth in the NESCAC.
Defensively, Tufts has allowed 2,488 yards of total offense, an average of 311.0 yards per game, which ranks sixth in the NESCAC. The Jumbos have been especially effective against the run, allowing 895 rushing yards and 111.9 yards per game, also sixth in the conference. Ryan Horigan leads the team with 54 total tackles, including 33 solo stops, while Johnny Ferrelli has recorded 50 tackles. Justin Keller has added 41 tackles, and Dazer van Leeuwen has totaled 30 stops, including five tackles for loss and a sack. Patrick Keeley has been a disruptive presence up front, recording 16 tackles and a team-high 4.5 sacks for 31 yards.
The Tufts defense has generated nine interceptions, tied for the third-highest total in the NESCAC. Ferrelli leads the Jumbos with three interceptions, which ties him for second among conference players. Lucas Gonzalez and Cameron Pineda have each recorded two interceptions, while Ferrelli has also contributed four pass breakups. As a team, Tufts has recorded 35 tackles for loss for 141 yards, 11 sacks and 21 pass breakups. The Jumbos have also been effective at getting off the field on third down, limiting opponents to 31 conversions on 76 attempts, a 40.8-percent rate.
Special teams have been another area of strength. Caden Lawlor has connected on five of six field-goal attempts, including a season-long 40-yarder, and has made 16 of 18 extra points. His five field goals are tied for the second-most in the NESCAC, and his 83.3-percent conversion rate ranks second among conference teams. Ted Gialanella has handled the majority of the punting duties, averaging 35.6 yards on 33 punts, with 10 landing inside the 20-yard line. Tufts has also been productive in the return game, averaging 17.0 yards per kickoff return as a team. Granville Anderson II has averaged 18.5 yards on six returns, while Rogers has averaged 17.8 yards on 17 attempts.
A Look At The Panthers (4-4)
Middlebury enters its season finale against Tufts with a 4-4 overall record and a 4-4 mark in NESCAC play. The Panthers have put together a balanced season, earning victories over Bowdoin, Colby, Bates and Hamilton. Middlebury closed its home schedule with an important 20-17 victory over Hamilton on Nov. 7, finishing the season with three wins in its final five home games. The Panthers have scored 167 points through eight games, averaging 20.9 points per contest, while allowing just 136 points, or 17.0 per game. That scoring defense ranks second in the NESCAC, providing a strong foundation for the team's success.
Offensively, Middlebury has been one of the conference's most productive teams, totaling 2,810 yards and averaging 351.3 yards per game. That figure ranks fourth in the NESCAC. The Panthers have accumulated 1,002 rushing yards and 1,808 passing yards, giving them a balanced attack that can challenge defenses in multiple ways. Middlebury has also been effective at moving the chains, recording 153 first downs, the third-highest total in the conference. The Panthers have converted 51 of 121 third-down opportunities (42.1 percent) and 11 of 21 fourth-down attempts (52.4 percent).
Senior running back Connor McClellan has been the centerpiece of the Middlebury offense. He has rushed for 721 yards on 156 carries, averaging 4.6 yards per attempt and 90.1 yards per game. His rushing average ranks second in the NESCAC, and his 12 rushing touchdowns lead the conference. McClellan has also contributed 28 receptions for 142 yards, giving him 863 all-purpose yards and an average of 107.9 per game, fourth-best in the league. His 72 points are second among NESCAC players, making him one of the conference's most productive offensive threats.
Quarterback Aidan Moss has directed the Panthers' passing attack, completing 165 of 274 attempts for 1,782 yards and eight touchdowns. He has thrown just five interceptions and is completing 60.2 percent of his passes. Moss averages 222.8 passing yards per game, ranking fifth in the NESCAC, and has accounted for 1,901 yards of total offense, or 237.6 per game, fourth-best in the conference. His season-long completion has covered 80 yards, highlighting the Panthers' ability to generate explosive plays through the air.
Jordan Angstreich has been Moss's leading target, recording 66 receptions for 659 yards and two touchdowns. He averages 82.4 receiving yards per game, ranking third in the NESCAC, and his 66 catches lead the conference and are sixth nationally. Tommy Hetherington has added 24 receptions for 328 yards and two touchdowns in seven games, averaging 46.9 yards per contest. Luis Kuehberger has contributed 13 catches for 214 yards and two touchdowns in four games, while Parker Loupessis has recorded 15 receptions for 142 yards and two scores. The Panthers have received production from multiple targets, with four receivers recording at least two touchdown catches.
Defensively, Middlebury has allowed 2,750 yards of total offense, averaging 343.8 yards per game. The Panthers have been particularly strong against the run, allowing just 752 rushing yards and 94.0 yards per game, the fifth-best mark in the NESCAC. They have also limited opponents to 136 total points, or 17.0 per game, ranking second in the conference in scoring defense. Matt Shaw leads the defensive effort with 75 total tackles, including 32 solo stops and 43 assisted tackles. His 9.4 tackles per game rank third among NESCAC defenders. Michael Votta has added 46 tackles, while Charlie Ozolin and Brady Phillips have each recorded 43 stops.
The Panthers have also been disruptive in the backfield and opportunistic in the secondary. Middlebury has recorded 34 tackles for loss for 139 yards, including 11 sacks for 95 yards. Calvin Szoradi leads the team with three sacks, while Shaw has added two sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss. The defense has totaled nine interceptions, with Carson Eutsay and Matt Shaw recording two apiece. Eutsay has returned his two interceptions for 70 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown. Charlie Ozolin, Matthew Piechota and James Woodward have also recorded interceptions. As a team, Middlebury has added 31 pass breakups and 22 quarterback hurries.
Special teams have been a consistent part of the Panthers' production. Yaseen Mousa has converted five of seven field-goal attempts, including a season-long 33-yarder, and has made 16 of 20 extra points. His five field goals are tied for the second-most in the NESCAC. Ty Brinkmann has handled the punting duties, averaging 35.4 yards on 35 punts, with 14 landing inside the 20-yard line. Middlebury has also been disciplined, averaging 32.3 penalty yards per game, the second-lowest average in the conference. The Panthers have converted 70 percent of their red-zone opportunities into scores, including 16 touchdowns in 30 trips.
Other Week 9 Games
Amherst at Williams - 12 PM - Biggest Little Game in America
Bates at Hamilton - 12 PM
Wesleyan at Trinity - 12 PM
Colby at Bowdoin - 1 PM - CBB Rivalry
--JUMBOS--
