At this time two years ago, then-freshman Tom McManama expected to inherit the football team's starting quarterback job. But when Matt Russo (LA '08) cashed in on an extra year of eligibility to return as a fifth-year senior, McManama manned up and used last year as extra time to study the team and learn the offense. He prepared, instead, to be the starter by his junior year.
That was when Anthony Fucillo, a junior transfer from Div. I Colgate, came to Tufts and beat out McManama in training camp for the starting position. So after sitting on the bench throughout his freshman and sophomore seasons, McManama once again found himself in the backup role.
Hold that thought.
In the Jumbos' final home game against Colby on Saturday, they opened up the scoring in the middle of the second quarter when Fucillo found senior David Halas just inside the front-left pylon for a seven-yard touchdown pass. Colby then tied the game at 7-7 in the third quarter, but as it turns out, that was the least of the Jumbos' worries. Minutes later, Fucillo sustained a shoulder injury and was forced to leave the game.
Enter McManama.
With virtually no career stats to his name, the junior trotted out onto Zimman Field for just the second time this season — he relieved Fucillo when the Jumbos blew out Bates on Sept. 27 — and knew exactly what he had to do.
"I wasn't all that nervous because I have been in situations like that in high school," McManama said. "I knew I had to make something happen, drive down the field and try to get a score, but at the same time, I knew that I had to protect the football and not give [Colby] an opportunity."
McManama did just that. It took a little while for the junior backup to get comfortable, but once he did, his play was impressive. On his first drive of the game, McManama put freshman kicker Adam Auerbach in position to attempt a 34-yard field goal. Auerbach nailed the kick and gave the Jumbos a 10-7 lead they wouldn't surrender.
McManama took the field again minutes later after an interception from junior Andrew Elfman gave the Jumbos the ball at the Mules' 33-yard line. More confident after his first drive, the quarterback dropped back to throw and lofted a majestic pass down the right sideline into the outstretched arms of Halas. The senior landed softly in the end zone, moving the lead to 17-7 and putting the Mules away.
"It was a great feeling," McManama said of his first collegiate touchdown pass. "It was a great play — the line gave me plenty of time and Halas made a great catch."
Despite the fact that McManama has yet to start a collegiate game, his teammates consider him a very knowledgeable quarterback who can execute on offense.
"Tom has been in the system for three years now, and I have just as much confidence in him as I do in Fucillo," Halas said. "I know that both of them can get the job done."
After two and a half seasons of backup duty, McManama finally received the chance he had been waiting for since 2006. It's safe to say that the quarterback made the most of it.
"It's been tough, but there is adversity in anything you do," McManama said. "I just kept a positive attitude and have done everything I can do to help the team. All you can do is just keep your head up and keep a positive attitude."
