The football team will put the finishing touches on its 2001 season this Saturday when it hosts the Middlebury Panthers at Ellis Oval. Having already clinched its first winning season since 1998, Tufts will look to secure a third place finish in the NESCAC. At 5-2, the Jumbos will have to fend off the 4-3 Panthers - winners of three straight - in order to have third place all to themselves.
"They're the defending league co-champions," coach Bill Samko said. "And this year, they lost to Amherst 7-3 and actually outplayed them, lost to Colby 28-21, and lost to Williams. So their three losses have all come against good teams. It'll be a challenge."
For the second consecutive week, junior quarterback Scott Treacy will not start the game and is doubtful to play at all. Treacy injured his ankle against Amherst and did not start at Colby as a result. He came in after backup freshman Steve Pizzotti went down with a shoulder injury in the third quarter, only to roll his ankle again on the first play. Third stringer Jay Casey, also a freshman, relieved Treacy and preserved the 10-3 win.
Pizzotti, who also saw action against Bowdoin and Bates, will get the starting nod for the second straight game on Saturday. "I thought Steve did a good job [against Colby]," Samko said. "We won."
Despite the change at quarterback, Tufts will again feature its impressive running game against the Panthers. Junior Keven Kelley comes into the contest with 943 yards rushing on the year, 127 shy of the Jumbo single season record set by Paul Dresens in 1988. Dresens was the last Jumbo to gain over 1,000 yards in a single season.
As a unit, the Tufts backfield has averaged 242.3 yards per contest, tops in the NESCAC and 17th in the nation.
"You to try to use your people the right way," Samko said. "And that's what we've tried to do this year. There's no waiver wire to go get someone else. You try to analyze what your strengths are, make your assessment, and give your team a chance to win. I guess that's the coach's job. The players play."
But another reason for the Jumbo's reliance on the running game is the continued absence of junior Matt Cerne, the team's best receiver. Cerne, who leads the Jumbos in average receiving yards per game (37.0), hasn't played since Sept. 29 at Bates due to an ankle injury.
Middlebury, on the other hand, brings a slightly more well-rounded offensive attack to the field. Senior quarterback Scott Roberts has thrown just two interceptions all season. His favorite target, junior Denny Smith, boasts 51 catches for 809 yards. And on the ground, the Panthers have junior Bill Lazaro, who averages 93.7 yards per outing.
"We have to control the football somehow, some way [against Middlebury]," Samko said. "We better not turn the ball over."
But Middlebury will by no means have it easy. The Tufts defense comes into the game on a high note, after a school record seven interceptions solidified the win at Colby. "We have to continue to play strong, strong defense," Samko said. "And our special teams have been critical to our success all year."
The Middlebury defense features an All-NESCAC First Team member from last year, senior Daryl Tracy, who has seven sacks on the year. The Panther defense was also instrumental in recovering six fumbles against the Jumbos a year ago in Middlebury, en route to a 27-0 stomping.
No matter what the outcome on Saturday, Samko said his respect for his team will not be diminished.
"What ever happens Saturday, this is one of my favorite teams ever," Samko said. I have great respect for what they've done, for their approach, their toughness. They just haven't given in. Very, very frustrating in the Amherst and Williams losses, because I thought we outplayed them, and then they came back and won against Colby.
"This is a great team," he went on. "Maybe the best team that we've had in the time that I've been here, because I don't think they have the talent that the 1998 team that went 7-1 did. And yet, we only have two losses, both to undefeated teams by four points each time."
