Tufts enters crucial times
Jumbos take on champ Trinity
N.E. FOOTBALL
Tufts, one of three undefeated teams in the NESCAC, begins an arduous trek the next three weeks that will decide its final place in the league. The Jumbos (4-0) visit two-time reigning champion Trinity on Saturday before facing fellow unbeatens Amherst (4-0) and Williams (4-0).
Trinity (3-1), the alma mater of Jumbos coach Jay Civetti, a former all-league offensive lineman, has not suffered a losing season since 1998. The Bantams have won 10 in a row in the series dating to 2007 when Tufts prevailed, 16-10. The possibly play.”
Louisville, which hasn’t recovered from the departure of Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson, and Wake Forest (3-3, 0-2) have struggled in conference play, but other teams have picked up the slack to help level the playing field. Jumbos appear ready to snap that streak, coming off their first shutout in 12 years in a 28-0 win at Bowdoin last week.
“This week we go down to Trinity and it’s homecoming, not just for me. I don’t think they’ve had a losing season since Dwight D. Eisenhower was president,” Civetti said. “They have a quarterback transfer (Jordan Vazzano) from the University of Rhode Island, who we watched play in a night game up here at Harvard before he transferred. He’s a great passer and dynamic with the ball.”
Tufts has drawn excellent play on a variety of fronts. At Bowdoin, senior Tim Preston recorded his 15th career interception, senior lineman Jared Ashler posted his third sack in the last two games and junior linebacker Greg Holt had a team-high six tackles. The offense is led by senior quarterback Ryan McDonald, who has directed back-to-back games of 500 yards of offense, and sophomore back Mike Pedroni of Melrose, who scampered for two TDs at Bowdoin.
No more lunch
Citing a worsening financial situation and dwindling attendance, the New England Football Writers executive committee announced yesterday it would discontinue the weekly football coaches luncheons effective the end of the current season. The organization has been meeting since its founding by Boston College coach Joe McKenney and Tufts coach Arthur Sampson in 1928.
The NEFW will continue to award Gold Helmets, which will be listed on its new website (newenglandfootballwriters.com). Schools will be invited to submit previews of its upcoming game to the website by Wednesday of each week.
“It’s the end of an era,’’ said BC football legend Barry Gallup. “It’s obviously a disappointment that we don’t have better attendance. Every player that I ever brought here to the luncheon has really enjoyed it.’’
Harvard coach Tim Murphy first attended as a senior at Springfield College, where he was a All-New England linebacker.
“Having hosted the luncheon here at Harvard for the past 25 years I’ve really enjoyed seeing all the other coaches,” he said, “but it’s also a reflection of the times. I understand we live in a digital time.’’
Civetti cut his early coaching teeth by attending the weekly gathering.
“I came here and had to talk about losing 24 straight and what this luncheon means to me. It was almost therapeutic,’’ said Civetti, who was handed a surprise Gold Helmet after posting his first win in 2014. “I’ll never forget what Jack (Grinold) and all of you guys did for me and the program when you gave me the Gold Helmet. That meant a lot to me and the entire team.’’
Gold Helmet wins
Gold Helmets were awarded to New Hampshire senior quarterback Trevor Knight and Norwich sophomore receiver Manni Romero. Knight engineered a 28-0 home win over Holy Cross by hitting 22-of-38 passes for 237 yards and four touchdowns. Romero hauled in 10 receptions for a school-record 272 yards and a pair of scores in the Cadets’ 33-24 loss to Merchant Marine.