Written By Julie Fox
Tuesday, October 7, 2003

TILKI NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR SECOND GAME IN A ROW

MEDFORD - Tufts University cornerback Mark Tilki (Derby, CT/Derby) has been named the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Football Defensive Player of the Week for the second straight week.  This time he was honored for his efforts in the Jumbos' 26-7 Homecoming victory over Bowdoin College last Saturday (Oct. 4).

The Tufts defense was once again strong, allowing only 187 yards and a meaningless touchdown with 3:56 left in the game.  Tilki scored the second touchdown of the game, his third in as many weeks, halfway through the second quarter to put the Jumbos up 16-0.  He picked off Bowdoin quarterback Tom McMahon at the Tufts 49-yard line and returned it 51 yards for a touchdown.  This was the second straight week he returned an interception for a touchdown and it gave him three interceptions in the past two weeks.  On the day Tilki had four solo tackles and one assisted tackle, including one tackle for a two-yard loss.  He also had a team-high two passes defended.

Tilki currently leads the Tufts team in scoring with three touchdowns for 18 points. Also a kick returner, he is leading the nation for Division III with an average of 42.8 yards per kickoff return and has one return for a 96-yard touchdown.  He is second on the team and tenth in the NESCAC with 109.3 all-purpose yards per game, right behind junior teammate Steve Cincotta's (Newton, MA/Middlesex School) 109.7 yards per game.  Tilki's three interceptions put him tied for second in the league, although his 91 yards from those three touchdown returns are tied for the league lead along with senior teammate Reid Palmer (Ithaca, NY/Ithaca).

Head Coach Bill Samko's team is currently tied for the NESCAC lead at 3-0 on the year, with other wins over Hamilton College (Sept. 20) and Bates College (Sept. 28).  The team's biggest test yet will come at home this Saturday against undefeated Trinity College.

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