Tuesday, January 6, 2004
MEDFORD – On Friday night (Jan. 9) the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston will present Tufts University senior cornerback Mark Tilki (Derby, CT/Derby) with its Joe Zabilski as the region's top defensive player for Divisions II-III. Tufts Head Coach Bill Samko will present the award at the Gridiron Club's Bob Whelan College Awards dinner at the Sheraton Needham Hotel.
Tilki was one of New England's premier playmakers on defense for the Jumbos this season. He led the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) in interception return yards with 131 on five picks. Twice he returned interceptions for touchdowns. His 40-yard touchdown return of an interception at Bates with 59 seconds left in the fourth quarter sealed a 24-14 victory for the Jumbos. He had two interceptions in that game. The next week against Bowdoin, Tilki's 51-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter put Tufts in command with a 16-0 lead.
Including a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at Hamilton College in the first game of the season, Tilki was leading the Jumbos in scoring after three weeks with 18 points despite not playing a down on offense. He was the NESCAC's Defensive Player of the Week for consecutive weeks on September 28 and October 5.
Tilki finished his senior season with 29 tackles (23 solo) while also forcing and recovering a fumble. He was chosen to the All-NESCAC First Team at cornerback and as a return specialist, at which he averaged 26.2 yards on kickoffs and 10.6 yards on punts. He was also selected to the prestigious New England Football Writers' Division II-III team, to the Football Gazette All-East Region First team and to the d3football.com All-America Third Team.
The Jumbos finished 5-3 overall and ranked 10th among New England Division III teams. Tufts' defense was ranked first in NESCAC allowing just 127.1 yards passing per game. Its 15 interceptions were second most in the conference.
Tilki finished his career at Tufts with 12 interceptions.
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