It would have been one of the greatest upsets in Jumbo football history.
Down 7-0 with one minute remaining against a Trinity team that hasn't lost since 2002, two improbable fourth-and-long completions kept Tufts' dreams of victory alive and had fans wondering if those were "the plays" that would be pivotal to a Jumbo comeback and eventual victory.
Instead, a Trinity interception with eight seconds left sealed the Bantam victory. As the clock ticked down, Trinity players poured onto the field, celebrating not like a team that has won 26 straight games, but like one that saw its win streak dissolved, then resurrected with the final interception.
"[They] knew and we knew we could've won," said junior defensive end Chris Decembrele, who had seven solo tackles on the day. "It's tough because on an effort level, obviously everyone goes into the game ready to put everything out there. But we prepared for this game like we were going to win, and we didn't. We really thought we could win."
The opportunity for an upset victory was there. Coming into the game, Trinity had the nation's top-scoring offense and was averaging 46.3 points per game. Additionally, Bantam quarterbacks had only been intercepted twice all season. But the Jumbo defense held Trinity to just seven points, its fewest since 2001, and picked off two passes while forcing eight Trinity punts.
The Jumbo defensive line and linebacking corps allowed just 2.4 rushing yards per carry, even though the Bantams' rushing average coming into the game exceeded 5.5 yards.
The Jumbo defense held the Bantam offense to 218 total yards, its lowest output this season by almost 200 yards. Tufts recorded two sacks, forced three fumbles in addition to the two interceptions, and held the Bantams scoreless for the final three quarters of the game.
Tufts' final drive was also inspiring as the Jumbos picked up three of their nine first downs in the final minute, two of them coming on spectacular fourth down grabs by junior receivers Ryan Hanofee and Steve Menty. Menty finished the day with an impressive seven receptions for 97 yards, including the Jumbos' only completion in the first half. The junior turned back to catch that 45-yard pass down the Tufts' sideline.
However, the Jumbos were unable to capitalize on these efforts, in large part due to four interceptions and a fumble committed by the Tufts offense. Although the final interception came with eight seconds left in an obvious do-or-die passing situation, the other turnovers killed potential momentum-building drives on a rainy day where both offenses had trouble finding their footing.
Jumbo senior quarterback Casey D'Annolfo finished the day 10-24 for 131 yards, with four interceptions and no touchdowns. Trinity's senior quarterback Bill Schweitzer was 10-25 for 113 yards, with two interceptions and the game's lone touchdown.
"I look at it from a defensive standpoint and say that we didn't cause enough turnovers," Decembrele said. "Against a team like Trinity, we need to force more turnovers."
Tufts had one interception apiece recorded by junior defensive backs Brett Holm and Bryan McDavitt, and the defense caused three fumbles but recovered none of them. Holm's and McDavitt's interceptions both came in the third quarter, although neither resulted in points for the Jumbos. On the ensuing offensive drives, Holm's interception led to one of Trinity's four interceptions, and McDavitt's led to a three-and-out punt.
Still, the seven turnovers compiled by both teams was a high total, and the weather was a likely culprit. The turf was water-logged prior to kickoff thanks to a week straight of precipitation, and the field was already muddy after both teams warmed up. It was pouring when Trinity kicked off at 1:30 p.m. and the rain lightened only moderately as the game wore on.
What resulted was a mud-bowl. Players slipped making tackles, ball carriers fell in the open field, and both Jumbo and Bantam quarterbacks had obvious difficulty getting a grip on the ball, sometimes throwing passes that fell far short of their intended receivers. By the fourth quarter, two pits of mud replaced the grass near the 20-yard lines.
"When you walked onto the field, your cleats sank a few inches down," Decembrele said. "But [both teams] had to play on the field, so it's not like it gave one team a definite advantage over the other."
Not surprisingly, neither team was able to fully develop the passing game. Not only were the conditions abominable, but both offenses were up against quite a challenge from the opposing defenses - the Trinity defense is ranked first nationally in points allowed, while Tufts is ranked second in yards allowed.
The Trinity defense now has allowed a staggering average of 1.5 points per game in the first four contests, and Saturday's game marked the Bantams' third shutout of the year. Trinity also has 13 interceptions on the season, with at least one interception by 12 different players. For their part, the Jumbos have allowed 7.5 points per contest, and have five picks in the 2005 campaign.
The Jumbos fell to 2-2 in NESCAC with the loss while Trinity remains undefeated in the league at 4-0. Up next for Tufts is Williams on the road on Saturday.
