Monday

Monday, October 3, 2005

D'ANNOLFO NESCAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK AFTER BATES EFFORT

MEDFORD – Following a career-best performance at Bates College on Saturday (Oct. 1), Tufts University senior quarterback Casey D'Annolfo (West Hartford, CT/Conard) was selected as this week's New England Small College Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week.

D'Annolfo guided the Jumbos to a 34-7 victory over the Bobcats, the most points Tufts has scored in a game since October 5, 2002. It was also the 20^th consecutive victory for Tufts over Bates, a remarkable streak that started in 1986. The Jumbos improved to 2-0 with the victory.

The 6'4", 230-pound QB completed 16 of 23 passes for 255 yards and four touchdowns. The first touchdown was a 59-yard pass to wide-open sophomore J.B. Bruno (Westfield, NJ/Choate) at 10:45 of the first quarter on the first play of the drive after a Bates punt.

On the next Tufts possession, D'Annolfo went long again for a 43-yard TD connection to junior wide receiver Brian VonAncken (Trumbull, CT/Trumbull) for a 13-0 Jumbo lead at 9:06 of the first quarter. That was the first of three touchdown receptions by VonAncken, establishing a new Tufts Football record.

Tufts went to the half with a 20-7 lead and was held scoreless in the third quarter. Late in the third, D'Annolfo and the offense began a long drive that culminated with a three-yard touchdown pass to VonAncken at 13:37 of the fourth quarter. The scoring march stretched 13 plays and 95 yards, with D'Annolfo passing three times to junior receiver Steve Menty (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug) for 64 yards, twice converting third downs into firsts.

After special teams gave the ball back to the offense with a turnover on the ensuing kickoff, D'Annolfo hit VonAncken for the record-setting touchdown and a 34-7 lead at 13:25 of the fourth. That was all for D'Annolfo, who was replaced by freshman quarter back Jake Dellorco (Franklin, MA/Franklin).

In all, Tufts gained 407 yards of total offense. D'Annolfo did not throw an interception and was not sacked. For the second straight week, he completed passes to six Tufts receivers.