Monday, October 28, 2002
Written by Julie Fox

TILKI NAMED NESCAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

MEDFORD- Tufts University junior cornerback Mark Tilki (Derby, CT/Derby) was named New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Defensive Player of the Week for his outstanding performance against Amherst College this past Saturday (Oct. 26). The game ended in a heartbreaking 27-24 loss for the Jumbos in overtime, but Tilki helped energize a Tufts defense that forced the Lord Jeffs into six turnovers (three interceptions and three fumbles) in the game.

Tilki began his day with an interception on the Jeffs' seventh play of the game.  With the Jeffs starting to show signs of momentum, he picked off a pass at the Jumbos' 38-yard line.  Although Tufts could not score on the ensuing possession, Tilki scored during Amherst's next possession.  Amherst junior Fletcher Ladd, the leading rusher in the NESCAC, dropped the ball on a pitch play from the Amherst 8-yard line.  Tilki fell on the ball in the endzone for the first score of the game at 8:41 of the first quarter. Tilki's playmaking in the period did not end there, as he recovered another fumble by Ladd on the very next Amherst drive.

In the third quarter, coming off a touchdown that put the Jumbos ahead at 17-10, Tilki and the rest of the Tufts defense forced Amherst to punt.  Tilki returned the punt 42 yards to the Amherst 7 to set up a 4-yard Scott Treacy (Wakefield, MA/Wakefield) pass to Ryan Papi (Dover, MA/Dover-Sherborn) for the touchdown and a 24-10 lead.

On the day Tilki had three solo tackles to go along with the interception and two fumble recoveries.  The fumble recoveries were Tilki's first two of the season and the second and third of his career.  The interception was his third of the year and the seventh of his career.  He had two interceptions last week during another heartbreaking loss, this time a 28-36 loss against Williams College.

Tilki and the rest of the Jumbos (3-3) will play their final home game against Colby College (2-4) this Saturday.  Kickoff will be at 1 pm.

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