Date: Monday, Nov. 5, 2001
Written by Michael Douglas

TILKI NAMED NESCAC CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

MEDFORD- Tufts University sophomore cornerback Mark Tilki (Derby, CT/Derby) was named New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Defensive Co-Player of the Week for his outstanding performance against Colby this past Saturday (Nov. 3). He spearheaded a Tufts defense that picked off a school-record seven passes from the White Mules en route to a 10-3 victory.

Tilki's career day against Colby began appropriately enough with a turnover. With just over one minute remaining in the first half and the game still scoreless, the White Mules were pinned deep in their own territory. Their attempt to punt was blocked by senior linebacker Tim Robinson (Norwood, MA/Norwood) and Tilki was able to recover the ball on the 23-yard line. This set up the game's only touchdown, a 23-yard run by junior running back Chuck McGraw (Morganton, NC/Wadena-Deer Creek) with 1:15 left in the half to put the Jumbos up, 7-0.

Early in the third quarter, after the Jumbos drove 47 yards and connected on a field goal to take a 10-0 lead, the two defenses began a bizarre sequence of take-away. On the second play of the ensuing Colby possession Tilki intercepted junior Pat Conley's pass and returned it nine yards to the Colby 38. Colby then forced a fumble on the second play of the Tufts drive, giving the ball back to the White Mules. It took four plays for Tilki to again intercept Conley, this time on a 10-yard attempt that he snagged at the sideline of the Colby 31. That possession resulted in a punt, and the White Mules again had the ball on their own 14 yard line. Conley was replaced by freshman Rob Lippert, but he was no more effective; three plays later the ball found itself once again in the hands of Mark Tilki, as he snagged a pass at the Colby 28 for his third interception in as many Colby possessions. The three interceptions came within a five-minute span.

On the day Tilki had six tackles (five solo) to go along with his three interceptions and fumble recovery. The interceptions were his second, third, and fourth of the year. His first career interception came against Bowdoin (Oct. 6), when he stole a Polar Bear pass and returned it 56 yards to the Bowdoin 19. He currently leads the team in interceptions, is sixth on the team in tackles (35), and is second in passes defended (8).

Tilki and the rest of the Jumbos (5-2) will play their final game of the season this Saturday as they host the Middlebury Panthers (4-3) in a battle for third place in the NESCAC. Kickoff will be at 12:00 pm.

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