The race to replace Anthony Fucillo (LA '11) has begun, and it's neck-and-neck between two Johns.
Senior Johnny Lindquist and junior John Dodds are in a heated competition for the football team's starting quarterback position, and, with the season-opener at Hamilton less than two weeks away, neither has distanced himself from the other.
"They're two guys who see opportunity, they have a good relationship with each other, and the competition is great," interim head coach Jay Civetti said. "It's a great opportunity for everybody. No one's named the starting quarterback; no one has a starting position yet. Everyone's just out there working together."
Dodds currently has the most collegiate game-time experience, appearing in five games last season. His best outing came against Amherst on Oct. 30, 2010, when Tufts smashed numerous NESCAC and New England passing records in a 70-49 loss.
The 6-foot-2 Dodds took over for Fucillo — the program's single-season passing leader — and went 11-for-16 with 93 yards and a 15-yard touchdown to then-freshman John Sobo.
Lindquist, meanwhile, has only attempted one pass in his Tufts career, but has looked solid in preseason action thus far.
During an intrasquad scrimmage at the Ellis Oval on Saturday afternoon, Lindquist marched down the field on one particularly impressive sequence, going 5-for-6 and setting up a one-yard scoring plunge from sophomore Ryan Pollack.
"For two guys who haven't played a lot of snaps in college football, their poise has been great," Civetti said. "They make some great throws. I think they manage the game well. Today was a good opportunity for them both to be tested."
Civetti will name the starter after Friday's scrimmage at home against Bowdoin, in which he said Dodds and Lindquist will receive equal playing time.
"He's making me better, I'm making him better, and it's making the team better," Dodds said. "I think it gives the team a little confidence. God forbid if me or Johnny goes down, we've got another guy who's ready to step in."
Putting on the hard hats
Due to injuries and other undisclosed issues, the Jumbos' offensive line scrimmaged on Saturday with just seven of its 15 players available. The seven combined for 83 plays.
Just like the quarterback battle, heavy repetitions among underclassmen should facilitate competition down the road.
Then again, the offensive line hasn't shown any signs of needing a competitive jumpstart. The linemen wear white construction hardhats to and from practice each day, only exchanging them for helmets once practice begins.
The reason for the unusual headgear?
"We're going to work every day," senior tackle David Lloyd said. "You want to go out and see somebody who works hard, you go see the construction workers at the gym, they work all day, every day. We walk on the field, and it's work, 24/7."
Kenyon coming on strong
Nick Kenyon tore his right ACL in high school. Then he tore his left one in college. Now, after more than a few injury setbacks, the junior tight end is back on the field.
"I think Nick has opportunity, and I think he's worked hard at it," Civetti said. "It's good to have a 6-foot-5, 248-plus pound tight end who can run like a wide receiver. Nick's just like everyone else. [Senior tight end] Pat Cassidy had a couple great catches too and does a great job. The more guys can contribute, the better we can be."
Streaking down the middle during Saturday's scrimmage, Kenyon, wearing a brace to protect his left knee, repeatedly used his size to snare passes out of the air, well out of the reach of the Jumbos' secondary.
"I'm giving the quarterbacks a big target," Kenyon said. "I always tell them just to keep it up high for me and I'll make the catch for them."
Quick hits
Linebacker Nick Falk, guard Luke Lamothe and linebacker J.T. Rinciari, all seniors, were elected the Jumbos' tri-captains on Friday.
Falk was second on the team with 66 tackles and two interceptions last season as a defensive back and is an ROTC cadet. Rinciari finished last year with 26 tackles, including one for a loss, and a pick, while Lamothe has been a staple on the offensive line throughout his time at Tufts.
Friday's scrimmage against Bowdoin, according to Civetti, isn't being treated any differently just because another NESCAC opponent is in town.
"Bowdoin — that's just another practice in our mindset," Civetti said. "Our focus is on September 24th with Hamilton. That's our mission going forward."
The Jumbos are no longer using the high-rise hydraulic lifts that stationed assistants filming practices. The change coincides with the death of Notre Dame junior Declan Sullivan, who was killed on Oct. 28, 2010 when the video tower from which he was filming a Fighting Irish practice fell over from heavy wind. Tufts now operates with thin, extendable cameras which peer over the field and can be manned from a screen located on the ground.
