Williams hosts the Tufts Jumbos at Farley-Lamb Field on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1:30 p.m.
Tufts is 3-2. The Jumbos opened by beating Hamilton 42-28, were routed 42-7 at Wesleyan, then won back-to-back thrillers over Bates (22-21) and Bowdoin (20-13) with late scores. Last week they fell 28-9 at home to unbeaten Trinity. Tufts averages 287 yards (140 rushing, 147 passing) and 20 points per game, and allows 324 yards and 26 points.
The Jumbos’ lineup is in flux. QB Hudson Weidman (#14, Jr.) started the first three games, but sophomore QB Nate Johnson (#16, So.) has started the last two. Johnson was named NESCAC Offensive Player of the Week after accounting for 304 yards against Bowdoin, including 124 rushing and the game-winning 17-yard touchdown run with nine seconds left. Star RB Christian Shapiro (#1, Sr.) ran for four touchdowns in the opener and was second in the league in rushing, but he has missed the last two games. RB Caden McCallum (#25, Jr.) has carried the load in his absence. TE John Getman (#88, Jr.) is the leading receiver, and WR Keller Rogers (#7, Jr.) is the big-play threat at 20 yards per catch. The defense is led by LBs Ryan Horigan (#34, Jr.), Johnny Ferrelli (#0, Sr.) and Riley Yaker (#32, Sr.), whose blocked field goal beat Bates. DB Cameron Pineda (#22, Jr.) had two interceptions against Trinity.
Both the Jumbos and the Ephs have played Bates, Bowdoin and Trinity. Tufts needed last-minute heroics to beat Bates 22-21 and Bowdoin 20-13; Williams won those games 34-0 and 17-7. Both lost to Trinity, Tufts 28-9 and Williams 45-0, but the Jumbos held the Bantams to 283 yards.
INSIGHTS: Tufts doesn’t quit and is dangerous late. The Jumbos have been the league’s best red-zone team and are aggressive on fourth down. Their defense forced four turnovers against Trinity. Yet the offense has sputtered against strong defenses, gaining just 135 yards at Wesleyan and 183 against Trinity, and Shapiro’s status is the biggest question of the week.
The Williams defense has allowed 10 points or fewer in four of five games and should be able to make Tufts one-dimensional, especially if Shapiro sits. Johnson is a running threat, so containing the quarterback is a must. On offense, the Ephs need to protect the ball against a ball-hawking secondary and finish drives against a Tufts defense that bends but has made big plays.
Williams leads the all-time series 56-31-7, but Tufts has won four straight. Last year the Jumbos beat the Ephs 41-20 in Somerville.