MIDDLETOWN, CT (September 26, 2026) -- The Tufts University football squad fell behind early and never could recover as the Jumbos dropped a New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) tilt at Wesleyan University 42-7 on a rainy, windy day from Citrin Field. 

Tufts (1-1) was unable to get much going offensively in the driving rain storm, chalking up just 135 total yards while Wesleyan was able to total 375 yards offensively. The Jumbos tallied only nine first downs for the game, going 3-for-11 on third downs. 

The Jumbos kicked off and got a stop on the opening drive of the game, but a muffed punt by Tufts in the wet conditions gave the ball back to Wesleyan (2-0). The Cardinals would punch it in three plays later, as Angelo LaRose scored from 17 yards out to make it 7-0 Wesleyan. 

Later in the first quarter, Wesleyan quarterback Matt Fitzsimons added to the Cardinal lead with a 19-yard rushing touchdown to finish a 6-play, 57-yard drive. 

The lone score of the game for the Jumbos came early in the second quarter, as the Jumbos marched 75 yards over 13 plays before junior signal caller Hudson Weidman hit senior tight end Ned Righellis for a 12-yard pitch and catch to cut the Wesleyan lead in half at 14-7. Junior tight end John Getman made a big catch on fourth down to prolong the drive near midfield. 

The Cardinals responded with a scoring drive of their own, taking a 21-7 lead into the halftime intermission. 

Wesleyan would score three more touchdowns in the second half, pulling away for the win. 

Weidman was 5-for-15 for 53 yards passing and a touchdown pass, and senior Christian Shapiro finished with 45 yards on 13 carries as well as pulling in one pass for 15 yards. 

Junior Ryan Horigan was the leader defensively for the Jumbos, as he made 11 stops including one tackle for loss. Senior Riley Yaker added eight tackles, and senior Johnny Ferrelli finished with seven stops as well. 

Senior Justin Keller and junior Brayden Beyer each had six tackles, and Patrick Keeley had five stops including a sack. First-year punter Ted Gialanella averaged 40 yards per punt, putting one inside the 20, and Weidman had a pooch punt that was downed on the one-yard line as well. Junior Granville Anderson II returned four kicks for a 22.5 yard average, including a long of 34 yards. 

Fitzsimons was 11-for-14 for 184 yards passing for Wesleyan, while Matt Diaz had 98 yards on the ground for two scores. 

The Jumbos will look to get back into the win column next Saturday, October 3, taking on Bates College in Lewiston, Maine at 7 p.m. in NESCAC play.