When the Tufts Jumbos and Williams Ephmen kick off Saturday's Homecoming game, only one thing is absolutely certain: either Howie Rock or Robert Kaufman will do the kicking.
Other than the certainty in each other's kickers, many questions abound as two 2-2 squads square off in a game that will keep one team in position to win the NESCAC, while dropping the other two games out of the lead with only three to play.
If Tufts is going to beat the Ephmen for the first time since 1986, it is going to have to mimic Middlebury's defense, which shut out Williams last week. Middlebury's strategy was to eliminate Williams' running attack, which was once potent but is now struggling because of injury, -and force the Purple Cows to score through the air, something they have proven to be incapable of doing.
This should bode well for a Jumbo defense that has played up to its reputation this year. Tufts' D has allowed a meager 65 rushing yards per game this season, and has held opponents to 180 yards in the air. On paper, it would seem that Tufts' rush defense is going into a colossal battle with an explosive Williams ground attack, but that's not exactly the case. While the Ephmen have run for 170 yards per game this year, most of that was with senior tailback Fred Storz. The dynamic back was out last week against the Panthers, and Williams could muster only 96 yards on the ground. Storz will be on the bench again this week with a lingering injury, meaning Tufts' run defense will be able to dominate play.
To do this, the defense feels that it merely needs to correct some errors it has made so far this year.
"We'll stop Williams by correcting our mistakes on defense," sophomore safety Greg Devine said. "We've had missed assignments, mental breakdowns, and fatigue on some plays. If we take care of that, we can beat up on the Purple Cows."
The defense starts up front, where senior defensive linemen Pete Distaulo and Everrett Dickerson have emerged as stars this season. Distaulo has six sacks on the year, one fewer than the team lead, held by linebacker Joe McLean. The linebacking corps have been equally efficient for the Jumbos, as Scott Mittenthal leads the team with 40 tackles, followed by Mike Marino with 33, including five for a loss. But linebacker Matt Luther will likely sit out the game with an injury, as will defensive back Jeff Karacz. Both Luther and Karacz are seniors, and their absence puts a severe dent in the team's depth. Having rusher Brian Holmes, who played in the secondary last season, on the defensive end of things could help. But since Holmes is needed on offense, Samko says, "the reality is, that's not going to happen."
"The defense plays as one unit," Devine said "We know where guys are going to be and what they're going to do. We work hand in hand, and that confidence allows us to play our positions at 100 percent and not worry about other guys."
That could work against a Williams offense that is searching for some life and some continuity, as freshmen will likely start at the quarterback and running back spots Saturday. First-year QB Joseph Reardon got his first start against Middlebury, and despite completing 15 of 31 passes for 197 yards, he was intercepted twice and kept off the score board. He will need to be more impressive in his second start, but won't get much help from the running game, where freshman Michael Hackett, who had just 33 yards last week, will get most of the touches.
It could be an offense for the Jumbos to prey on, but, at the same time, the youth brings potential for great plays. The same thing could be said about Tufts' offense, where sophomore Scott Treacy has won the weekly competition for starting quarterback. Treacy has thrown for 121 yards this season, with three interceptions and only one touchdown, but brings an athletic element to an offense that averages only 120 yards per game in the air. The quick quarterback will force the Williams defense to be conscious of another runner out of the Tufts backfield.
The only veteran at the skill positions does a lot of running from the backfield, as senior Holmes has averaged 91.3 yards a game this season, by far the largest contributor to Tufts' 110 yards-per-game average.
However, with fullback Jon Rodgers out for the season with an ankle injury, and Holmes a question mark himself because of injury, sophomore Chuck McGraw will likely be called upon to contribute on Saturday. McGraw demonstrated his game-time ability two weeks ago in the Jumbos' 27-23 victory over Bowdoin, rushing for 90 yards and two touchdowns in Holmes' absence.
Fortunately for coach Bill Samko's team, two young receivers have emerged this year. Now the only question is how to get them the ball. Freshman Matt Cerne has twice been named NESCAC Rookie of the Week, and sophomore Bryan Pitko, who also runs track, caught a 44-yard touchdown pass last week. Combined with senior Brett Cicchillo, the Jumbos have a potent receiving corps.
"They're getting better all the time," Samko said of Cerne and Pitko. "They're developing nicely." Much like the Jumbos, Williams is more set on defense, having allowed a mere 12 points per game. Three linebackers, junior James Kingsley, and senior captains Louis Moll and Dev Brown are the leaders in both sacks and emotion on the field for the D. Despite its strong play, Williams did not garner a sack last week against Middlebury.
Two teams with a lot more questions than experience will line up Saturday in a very important NESCAC game. With both squads currently just a game behind the five teams tied for first place, the winner puts itself in good position heading into the final three weeks of the season. Can the young quarterbacks score? How long can the defenses carry their teams? Who will step up for injured stars? Likely, the winner will be the one that answers the most questions.
