The Tufts football team's offense has improved in each of itsfirst three games.
Unfortunately, the team has lost two of those games - includinglast week's record setting offensive performance againstBowdoin.
The Jumbos gained a school record 604 yards, but managed just 12points in the loss.
In tomorrow's match up in Hartford, Conn., against the TrinityBantams, the offense may have to come close to duplicating theiryardage output for the team to win.
Trinity comes into the game with a 17-game winning streak andhas won by an average of 42 points this season.
According to Tufts coach Bill Samko, the Jumbos need to takebetter advantage of opportunities.
"We have to score when we have the chance," Samko said. "We canplay better in the red zone, and that's something we worked on thisweek. Last week was somewhat disappointing, for us to play likethat and lose. But we have to give it time, work things out."
Trinity's defense presents a major challenge for Tufts. TheBantams allow less than 214 yards per game and have surrenderedjust 18 points in their three games.
The pressure will be on senior quarterback Jason Casey, who hasamassed nearly 600 yards of total offense in the past two games,and the offense to move the ball effectively, as they did lastweek.
Don't expect Casey to have another 43 passing attempts. Instead,Tufts will turn to its running attack, which gained 335 yardsagainst Bowdoin.
"[Bowdoin and Trinity] are two very different defenses," Samkosaid. "There are some constants that we're going to do every week.But you can't use the same tactic. I don't think we'll throw theball as much. We were just taking what Bowdoin was giving us lastweek. We're going to run, first and foremost."
Senior wide receiver Kevin Holland can expect a lot of attentionfrom Trinity. Against Bowdoin he set a NESCAC record with 22catches, gaining 202 yards.
Double teams of Holland could present major problems for Tufts,who for the second week in a row will be without sophomore wideoutBrian VonAncken. He pulled his hamstring in the Bates win.
Tufts will attempt to mix up its offense, using severaldifferent running backs.
"Each back has a different strength," Samko said. "[Senior]Steve [Cincotta] had 30 carries last week, that's about the most Ithink one guy can handle. We'll run with the quarterback and[freshman] Brendan Georges has emerged for us. You have to mix itup and give the defense different looks."
The young Tufts' defense will have to step up against Trinity.The Bantams possess the best offense in the league, with anexplosive running back tandem.
Senior Drew Finkeldey and sophomore Gennaro Leo are eachaveraging over a hundred yards rushing per game, with Leo gainingan astounding 10.2 yards per carry.
"Stopping the run is our first concern," Samko said. "We have tolimit what they do run-wise. That means committing more guys tothat area."
Samko didn't dismiss Trinity's passing attack, however.
"They have good athletes everywhere," he said. "They throw theball fairly well, but obviously that's not their strength. We wantto make them beat us with the pass."
Despite Trinity's imposing record and reputation, Samko said theteam is looking forward to the game.
"We're certainly not afraid of Trinity," Samko said. "We want toplay the best teams. If you don't, you shouldn't be playing. I feelconfident that we'll compete. I know we'll play hard. I always totell the guys, 'if you play as hard as you can, you'll have noproblem with me.'"
