This weekend's matchup against three-time defending NESCAC champion Trinity College will pit the Jumbos against the most offensively-dominant team in the league.
The Bantams have posted two shutouts in three games, and have swept through NESCAC competition with ease, averaging over forty-five points per game (46.3) with an undefeated record. But coming off a tough loss against Bowdoin College, the Jumbos are not paying attention to the Trinity hype or the pressure of Homecoming Weekend, instead taking on a business-as-usual mentality in practice all week.
"Everyone's excited because [this weekend's game] is an opportunity for us to bounce back," senior quarterback Casey D'Annolfo said. "We know they are a good team but overall we're not too concerned with them. We're more concerned about ourselves and focusing on continuing doing what's worked for us all season long."
What has worked for the Jumbos thus far has been playing sound defense, being physical, and executing on both sides of the ball. The Jumbos sit among the top of the NESCAC in almost every defensive category, and this week in practice the team has prepared its defense no differently in countering Trinity's powerhouse offense. Tufts will look to quell Trinity's potent running attack that has averaged 234.0 yards and three touchdowns per game, placing its rushing game in the top two in the league.
"If we don't get the run under control it's going to be a long day for us," coach Bill Samko said. "They do everything pretty well, but I think our defense has been great all year. Hopefully we'll continue doing what we've been doing on defense against them."
Along with playing sound defense, the key for a Tufts win will lie in its ability to counter the high-powered Trinity offensive attack with some points of its own. To do so, the Jumbos primary concern is eliminating penalties and executing in the red zone when it counts. Lackadaisical play cost Tufts the win last weekend, and those mistakes can't be repeated against a Bantam squad that has allowed six points in three games, all coming on a meaningless fourth-quarter touchdown against Williams when Trinity held a 34-0 lead.
"The biggest thing we want to capture this week is our focus and attention to detail," offensive coordinator Mike Daly said. "Offensively, we need to eliminate our mistakes. It is the coach's job to put our players in positions to be successful, and we have focused [in practice] on finishing our drives."
Tufts was hampered by penalties and missed crucial scoring opportunities against Bowdoin. The Jumbos committed nine penalties that cost the team 75 total yards, taking them out of scoring position and killing offensive drives throughout the game.
"We're pissed off, and I didn't think we deserved to win [the Bowdoin game]," Samko said. "We turned the ball over too many times and committed crucial penalties. Penalties are a part of the game but you can't win in this league if you commit a lot of them, it just doesn't happen."
This week in practice, coaches and players have worked on game situations to eliminate the small mistakes and focus on execution. They players say they're aware of what needs to be done and are focused on sharpening their play, especially on offense.
"Our biggest challenge will be to eliminate penalties and execute consistently on offense," D'Annolfo said. "We don't have a specific game plan geared toward Trinity, we just know what we have to do to win and I think we're ready for them."
All in all, tomorrow's game will be the stiffest competition the Jumbos have seen all season and a pivotal matchup that could change the Jumbos' momentum heading into the rest of the season. A loss would push the Jumbos back to 2-2 and would mark the second consecutive loss for the team. A win, however, could be just enough to give the Jumbos the momentum they need heading into the second half of the season. The beauty of the NESCAC is its unpredictability, which the Jumbos are banking on to be in their favor come Saturday.
"This league has a lot of ups and downs," Samko said. "I don't know if we'll win on Saturday. A lot of people will be surprised if we do, but I do know one thing: I know we're capable."
Kickoff is set for 1:30 at Zimman Field.
