Date: Monday, October 7, 2002
MEDFORD – When Tufts senior cornerback Evan Zupancic (Lake Oswego, OR/Lakeridge) intercepted a pass by Bowdoin quarterback Justin Hardison at the five-minute mark of the first quarter in Saturday's game between the Jumbos and Polar Bears, he became the all-time leader in interceptions at the university with his 16th. The interception came with Tufts leading 7-0, and he returned the ball seven yards.
Zupancic replaced Scott Burnham in the Tufts record book. Burnham, a Jumbo from 1979-82,
intercepted 15 passes during his career. He had three picks as a freshman in
1979 when Tufts posted its last undefeated season. He followed that up with six
interceptions as a sophomore in 1980. Defensive statistics for the 1981-82
seasons were unavailable.
Zupancic intercepted another Bowdoin pass early in the fourth quarter for the 17th of his career. Bowdoin had pulled to within 27-13 after trailing 27-0, and had the ball at midfield when Zupancic took it away. It was his second two-interception game of the 2002, including the opener against Hamilton when he tied Burnham's record with the 14th and 15th of his career. Tufts had six interceptions at Bowdoin overall. He currently leads NESCAC with four interceptions and is sure to be among this week's national leaders with an average of 1.33 per game.
Zupancic contributed right away upon coming to Tufts in 1999. He intercepted four passes as a freshman, then added a career-high six as a sophomore in 2000. Last season he had three. With four in three games this year, he has 17 in 27 career games, a nearly two interceptions every three games average.
The Tufts defense hadn't allowed a point this year until Bowdoin scored a touchdown with 4:58 remaining in the third quarter on Saturday. The Polar Bears added another score in the fourth quarter, but the Jumbos still own an outstanding 4.3 points allowed per game mark that is tops in NESCAC. The Jumbos have 11 interceptions in three games, which has helped them compile a +2.0 turnover ratio. They are the only NESCAC team allowing less than 200 yards a game at 198.3 per, and they #1 in the league in passing defense efficiency.
Zupancic is also the starting center fielder for the Tufts baseball team, which won the school's first NCAA Tournament game in 52 years last May. He set single-season records with 11 home runs and 47 runs scored while earning All-New England First Team honors. He has earned the university Rudolph J. Fobert Award as the best multi-sport athlete for two straight years.
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