Medford, Mass. - The Colby Mules made the trip the Medford campus of Tufts University to face the Tufts Jumbos a week after defeating Bates. A fourth quarter touchdown from the Jumbos gave the hosts the lead as well as the win with a final score of 21-26. Tufts improved to 3-5 and the Colby Mules fell to a matching record of 3-5.
The Mules offense struggled to get going in the first quarter, netting a total of 0 yards in the first 15 minutes of the game. They opened with back-to-back three and outs, but punter Moises Celaya was able to maintain field position, averaging 32.33 yards per punt. The Mules' defense allowed an early touchdown, but also came up with a huge 4th down stop at the goal line in the beginning of the second quarter. Nick Donatio defended a 4th down pass attempt in the end zone to cause a turnover on downs, preventing the Jumbo's from gaining a two score lead.
Tufts scored its second touchdown in the second quarter, swinging the momentum in their favor with a 14-0 lead and 6:51 remaining in the first half. However, the Mules came back with a renewed sense of life after a 54 yard reception by Jack Sawyer to set up the Mules for a short touchdown pass to Matt Panker. The Mules kept the pedal down with 2:13 left in the first half. Senior Quarterback, Matt Hersch, led a skilled 63 yard drive, which was capped by Donovan Ganges punching the ball into the end zone as the clock hit 0:00 to end the half, tying the game at 14-14.
Colby's special teams opened the second half strong by forcing a missed Jumbo's field goal on the first drive of the half. The Mules' offense got things moving on the ground with a 56 yard rushing touchdown from Devin Marrocco giving Colby their first lead, 21-14. The score was the offense's 3rd touchdown in 3 consecutive possessions. The Jumbo's responded with a touchdown of their own. A missed extra point attempt allowed Colby to hold a narrow 21-20 lead.
The game took an unfortunate turn for the Mules in the final quarter of the game. The Jumbo's converted an 81 yard scoring drive, which finished with a 36 yard touchdown pass to Billy Dunn for his second touchdown reception of the day. This touchdown also gave the Jumbos a 21-26 lead over the Mules. Colby's offense had three possessions and three turnovers in the 4th quarter, two interceptions and a fumble on a last second lateral effort on the final play of the game.
The game was a back and forth battle and the Mules fought hard until the very end. Jumbo's Wide receiver Philip Lutz had an astounding showing as he led his team with 17 receptions and 182 receiving yards. The Mules' had great performances on both sides of the ball. Nick Donatio had 10 total tackles, one of the first Mules to achieve double-digit tackles this season. The Colby defense also had multiple goal line stops. Running back Devin Marrocco had his first 100-yard game of the season, as well as a touchdown.
Next Saturday Colby looks to end the regular season on a high note, with their final game of the season hosting Bowdoin at 5:00 pm in Waterville. This game will celebrate the many seniors on the team and look to have a major showing of the student body and friends and family for the final rival game of the season.
