Date: Monday, September 23, 2002
Written by Julie Fox

ZUPANCIC NAMED NESCAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

MEDFORD- Tufts University senior tri-captain and cornerback Evan Zupancic (Lake Oswego, OR/Lakeridge) was named New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Defensive Player of the Week for his outstanding contributions in Tufts' 20-0 victory over Hamilton College this past Saturday (Sept. 21).  Zupancic finished the game with two interceptions to tie the school's career interceptions record of 15.  He now shares the record with Scott Burnham, who played for the Jumbos from 1979-82.

Zupancic's aggressive play helped the defense open the 2002 season with a shutout.  With 9:50 left to go in the second quarter and the Jumbos leading 17-0, Zupancic intercepted his first pass of the game on the Hamilton 46-yard line.  He returned it 31 yards to the Hamilton 15 to set up the Jumbos' final score, a 26-yard field goal by teammate Marcellus Rolle (Smyrna, GA/Lovett).

On Hamilton's next possession, Zupancic also made a key defensive play to help preserve the shutout.  With the ball on the Tufts 10 yard line Hamilton quarterback Greg LiVigne found receiver Kevin Conole, but Zupancic quickly tackled him at the two-yard line.  On the next play, LiVigne fumbled and the Jumbos recovered, ending the Continentals' biggest threat of the day. 

In the second half, as the Tufts offense stalled and the defense was left to keep the Jumbo lead, Zupancic came through again with his second interception.  On third-and-nine he intercepted a pass at the Hamilton 46-yard line and returned it to the 27 to further deflate the Hamilton team. In the fourth quarter, Zupancic intercepted another pass and returned it 49 yards for a touchdown only to have the play nullified by a penalty on a teammate.

Overall the defense had a dominating game, allowing Hamilton only 143 total yards, including just nine rushing.  Zupancic finished the game with three tackles, two passes defended, and the two interceptions. He intercepted three passes last year, six as a sophomore in 2000 and four as a freshman in 1999. He was an All-NESCAC Second Team pick last year. Also the starting center fielder for the Tufts baseball team, he set the single-season record with 11 home runs last spring.

Head Coach Bill Samko's team (1-0) will next hit the field this Saturday (Sept. 28) as they host Bates College (0-1) for their Homecoming game. Kickoff will be at 1:00 pm.

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