Behind a diverse ground attack and resilient defense, the football team rolled over Bowdoin 16-6 on Saturday in Brunswick, Maine, and got their best start to a season since 2003.
The now-3-0 Jumbos used a collection of running backs to churn out 240 yards against an overmatched Polar Bears defense. The Jumbos converted on 11 of their 16 third downs, committed no turnovers, and wore down a Bowdoin team that now sits at the bottom of the NESCAC with a dismal 0-3 record.
Despite the narrow 10-point margin of victory, this game was all Tufts, from the coin flip to the final whistle.
Freshman Will Miller returned the opening kickoff 35 yards into Bowdoin territory. Senior quarterback Matt Russo and his corps of running backs needed just seven plays to give the Jumbos a 6-0 lead, with junior running back Chris Guild accounting for the score on a nine-yard dash to the end zone, the first touchdown of his career.
Guild was one of six backs that saw extensive action on the afternoon, and he credited his touchdown and the team's offensive success to the unorthodox running back platoon.
"It keeps everybody fresh," Guild said. "We give the [opposing] defense a lot of different things to prepare for, and late in the game we have the advantage because their defense is worn down. It keeps everybody happy."
Coach Bill Samko was content with the overall production of his running attack.
The Tufts offense won the battle in time of possession, staying on the field 10 minutes longer than the opposing Polar Bears.
"That's part of the plan," said Samko, who added that each running back brings something different to the team's game plan.
"They all have different strengths," Samko said of his running backs. "We try to be cognizant of that and take advantage."
Sophomore Will Forde and junior Brendan Georges led the Jumbos with 70 and 61 rushing yards, respectively, and were able to break into the Bowdoin secondary on several occasions.
But despite all the offensive production, the Jumbos struggled to add to the most important statistical category: points. Two consecutive drives deep into Bowdoin territory were stung by crucial penalties and ended with a missed field goal and a punt. Tufts entered the second half ahead just 6-0, with the door open for the Polar Bears to steal a win on their Parents' Weekend.
The game became sloppy on both sides, and the Jumbos had already been hit with two 15-yard personal foul penalties. The second half brought a more disciplined approach from the Jumbos, who were determined to shake off the earlier mental breakdowns.
"We didn't react to their cheap shots," said fullback Kevin Anderson, who finished the day with 22 yards on six carries. "Early in the game we did, and that kept Bowdoin in the game. But the second half we played smarter."
On the other side of the ball, the Jumbos again showed off their heralded defense. The Polar Bears only drove into Tufts territory once in the entire first half, and the defensive line put constant pressure on Bowdoin senior quarterback Tom Duffy.
The defense was led by a possessed performance from sophomore linebacker Tyson Reynoso. Reynoso had a game-high 13 tackles, punishing Bowdoin running backs and wide receivers in his path.
"I just tried to stay disciplined and let the guards take me to the ball," said Reynoso, who had just three tackles during his entire freshman season. "We also watch film of our opponent each week, which helps us know their top running plays and tendencies."
Samko expressed his appreciation for the star effort he received from his young linebacker.
"Tyson works hard, made great strength gains in the offseason, is diligent in his approach to preparation, and continues to grow as a player," the coach said.
The two teams exchanged punts for the majority of the third quarter as Tufts clung to its 6-0 lead. An 11-yard punt by Bowdoin senior Dave Donahue gave the Jumbos great field position, and they took advantage. Senior running back Brian Cammuso and Forde had rushes that keyed a drive into the Bowdoin red zone. The drive was capped off by yet another touchdown reception from sophomore David Halas, his NESCAC-leading fourth of the season, to put Tufts up 13-0.
Bowdoin showed some fight in the fourth quarter and was able to turn the game into a one-possession affair. The Polar Bears went 75 yards in 16 plays and scored on a one-yard pass from Duffy to junior fullback Mike Karrat, cutting the lead to 13-6 after a missed extra point. The Polar Bear running attack came to life on the drive and was helped by a questionable Tufts pass interference call on fourth-and-goal.
Tufts responded with a game-clinching drive that culminated in an 18-yard chip shot field goal from freshman place-kicker Oliver Snider that made it 16-6, putting the game out of reach and providing the final margin.
Tufts travels to Hartford, Conn., next weekend and attempts to do something no team has done in five years: beat the Trinity Bantams on their home turf. While Trinity's 31-game winning streak ended at the hands of Williams two weeks ago, the Bantams have wins over Colby and Hamilton this season and will test the unbeaten Jumbos.
And after three straight wins, the Jumbos are looking forward to the challenge.
"This is the best I've ever felt about a team I've been on," Anderson said. "I think we're ready."
