Jumbo Football Hits The Road For The Final Time In 2011 With Trip To Colby College

Kyle Weller led the Jumbos with 11 tackles against Amherst

MEDFORD - As the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) schedule enters its seventh week – with only one more week to go – the Jumbos travel to Maine to play the Colby College Mules on Saturday. Tufts is looking for its first victory of the season, while Colby is trying to build on a two-game winning streak.

This will be the final road game of the season for Tufts, who finishes the year with a home game against Middlebury College next Saturday at Ellis Oval/Zimman Field. The Jumbo offense, shut out in two of its last three games, will look to return to the form it showed during the first half at Williams College on October 22, when they gained nearly 200 yards and scored 14 points. On Saturday they’ll be facing a Colby defense that is ranked eighth in the conference allowing 370.5 yards per game, and seventh with 24.7 points allowed per contest.

Meanwhile, the Colby offense is ranked second in NESCAC for passing efficiency and will look to capitalize against a Jumbo defense that ranks last in the league for pass defense efficiency. The Mules pass for more than 200 yards per game on overage. The Jumbos are sixth in NESCAC in total defense (326.8 yards allowed) and eighth with an average of 26 points against.

Tufts (0-6) had difficulty moving the ball during a 30-0 loss at home against Amherst last Saturday, gaining just 106 total yards. Junior John Dodds started at quarterback for the Jumbos, completing 11 of 24 passes for 75 yards. He connected on a pair of 16-yard passes with junior receiver Dylan Haas, who had three receptions for 30 yards. Sophomore running back Ryan Pollock carried 19 times for 36 yards. The Jumbos look to be much more productive on Saturday.

The Tufts defense was able to make some plays against Amherst. Junior Kyle Weller had 10 solo tackles and one assist, while teammate Zack Skarzynski remained on top of the NESCAC tackle leaders list with 10 more for a season total of 78. Junior Sam Diss intercepted a long Lord Jeffs’ pass attempt in Tufts territory. Jumbo quarterback sacks came from senior Kyle Leggott and sophomore Ryan Egger, both on third down plays.

Tufts had some good special teams performances against Amherst. Junior punter Marty Finnegan averaged 36 yards on 10 punts, including a 58-yard long. Haas’ two kickoff returns for 42 yards helped the Jumbos maintain their league-lead in that category with a 21.0-yard average.

The Colby Mules have turned it around after losing their first four games. They have wins over Hamilton (13-7) and Bates (37-13) in the last two weeks and enter Saturday’s game with a 2-4 mark. Colby senior tri-captain Connor Walsh led the win over rival Bates, and was honored as the NESCAC Offensive Player of the Week, after tossing a 26-yard touchdown pass, making a 64-yard touchdown reception, and running in a score from one-yard out. Walsh finished the day with four receptions for 104 yards.

Senior Nick Kmetz (110 for 177, 1149 yards, seven TDs) has been one of the league’s better signal-callers this fall with an efficiency rating of 124.1 and 213.2 yards of total offense per game. Walsh has been the top target with 32 receptions for 336 yards overall, while wide receiver Nick Joseph with five touchdowns is among the conference top 10 in scoring.

On defense for the Mules, senior Shayne Begin has intercepted two passes, while freshman linebacker Henry Nelson is the leading tackler with 44. Defensive lineman Ryan Veillette, an All-NESCAC Second Teamer last fall, has sacked opposing quarterbacks 3.5 times. Defensive back Derrick Beasley is also a returning All-NESCAC Second Team player.

Kmetz hit classmate Spencer Merwin with a one-yard touchdown pass and placekicker David Bendit added the point-after kick with no time on the clock to give Colby a 42-41 come-from-behind victory over Tufts last year. Kmetz completed 40 of 53 passes for 392 yards and three touchdowns in the game. Walsh had 11 catches for 87 yards, while Merwin finished with 10 receptions for 78 yards. Jumbo receiver Pat Nee had a break-out game as a freshman, catching seven passes for 135 yards and a touchdown. Nick Falk had a game-high 14 tackles that day.

The Jumbos wrap up the 2011 campaign next Saturday at home against Middlebury on Seniors Day. Colby, which has won the last two in the series against Tufts, faces rival Bowdoin next week in Brunswick.

TUFTS VS. COLBY SERIES
Series Record: 40-20-1 Tufts
First Game: 1909, Colby 10-0
Last Tufts Win: 2008, 17-10
Last Colby Win: 2010, 42-41
Current Streak: Colby 2 games
Large Margins: Tufts 41-0 in 1985; Colby 45-7 in 1994

#