Tufts outperformed Amherst in virtually every statistic: they held significant advantages in first downs (21 to 8), total yards (337 to 223) and time of possession (38:58 to 21:02). But a fumble recovery at the goal line by NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week Jay Hutchins '02 and a career day by tailback Fletcher Ladd '04, who accounted for more than half of the Jeff offense and both touchdowns, helped Amherst maintain their undefeated season and their position atop the NESCAC. "Tufts was a good, physical team, but we got the job done," said Head Coach E.J. Mills.
The big question mark surrounding the Jeffs was at the quarterback position, after freshman quarterback Marsh Moseley's brilliant performance in relief of starter Jeff Browne '03 in Amherst's win over Wesleyan University last week. Mills made it clear who the starter is on Saturday, as Browne saw action in only one series against Tufts. While Moseley posted less than impressive numbers against the Jumbos (2-7 for 35 yards and an interception), he was battling strong winds all day and completed a big 23-yard pass to Quad-captain Derrell Wright '02 which set up the Jeffs' game winning touchdown. "Marsh is the guy," said Mills. "But I still see Jeff playing."
The Jumbos looked to be on the verge of breaking the Jeffs' streak of not allowing a touchdown all season midway through the first frame. Four Keven Kelley runs and a costly 10-yard face mask penalty against Amherst took Tufts inside the Amherst 10. Three more Kelley runs took Tufts to the Amherst 4. Facing fourth and goal, Tufts coach Bill Samko elected to go for the touchdown, but quarterback Scott Treacy's pass fell incomplete.
Tufts would, however, avenge Amherst's goal line stand with a touchdown early in the second quarter. A fumble by Ladd gave the Jumbos the ball on Amherst's 32-yard line. Tufts ran the ball on six consecutive plays before Kelley reached the endzone on a one-yard run.
The Jeff offense quickly rallied, and knotted the score at seven two possessions later. Amherst's touchdown drive started in Jumbos territory after a 25-yard punt return by Wright. The first play of the drive saw Ladd run through the Tufts line for a 44-yard rush, taking Amherst down to the Jumbos' goal line. Ladd finished the drive on the next play with a one-yard run.
But Tufts quickly scored a field goal, taking a 10-7 lead into the half.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Tufts was on the verge of putting the game away. The Jumbos faced a 2nd and goal after they marched 74 yards on 16 plays. The long drive was spearheaded by Kelley, who had 48 yards rushing and 17 yards receiving on the charge. A Tufts touchdown would have put Amherst down 10 with only a quarter to play, but a Kelley fumble at the goal line averted disaster for the Jeffs. Hutchins recovered the fumble and returned it all the way to the Amherst 25.
Hutchins' fumble recovery not only stopped a probable Tufts score, but it set up Amherst's game-winning drive. Two plays after the fumble, Ladd ran for 18 yards up to the Amherst 43. A few plays later, Moseley connected on his second, and final, completion of the day, a 23-yard strike to Wright, putting the Jeffs in Jumbo territory. A 20-yard Ladd rush, combined with a Tufts penalty, put Amherst inside the Tufts 10. After two consecutive Ladd rushes, Amherst took a 14-10 lead.
Amherst appeared to be putting together another scoring drive on its next possession, as they marched into Tufts territory, but a fumble by Okey Ugwonali '02 gave Tufts the ball back at their own 38-yard line. Tufts quickly moved into Amherst territory, but the Jeff defense appeared to have the Jumbos under control as Treacy and company faced a long 3rd and 7. But Treacy hooked up with Ryan Papi for a 21-yard completion which took the Jumbos to the Jeff 26.
Tufts got as far as the Amherst 13 before Jeff defensive back Paul Miceli '03 intercepted a Treacy pass in the endzone on 4th and 7. This ended Tufts' scoring threat, as Amherst ran out the clock to win the game 14-10.
"We established dominance on the offensive line, and held our composure through the fourth quarter. But turnovers on our half of the field hurt us, and almost caused the team to lose," Ladd said.
Amherst continues on its collision course with fellow undefeated Williams College on Nov. 10th at Williams to decide the NESCAC championship. Their final game before this much anticipated match-up is against an athletic but oft-injured and underperforming Trinity College team this Saturday at Pratt Field. The contest will be the Jeffs' Senior Day.
"Trinity will be a very good team," said Quad-captain Dan Lalli '02. "We are looking forward to putting forth a spectacular effort for our final home game of the season. I know it will certainly be a special day for all the seniors."