Teams: Football: Press Releases

Monday, September 25, 2006

PERRY IS NAMED NESCAC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK IN FIRST GAME

MEDFORD -- At the start of the day on Saturday, freshman safety Alex Perry (Danvers, MA/Danvers) didn't expect to get on the field defensively for the Tufts University football team against Hamilton College. By the end of the day, he had submitted a performance that has earned him New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Rookie of the Week honors.

Perry was pressed into action when Jumbo senior safety Bryan McDavitt (Holden, MA/St. Peter-Marian) was injured after returning an interception 35 yards in the second quarter. Perry quickly made his presence known with two tackles during his first series on the field. The 5'10", 190-pounder finished with five tackles (three solo), including a half-sack for a loss of three yards. He also intercepted a pass and returned it 11 yards, one of five picks that the Jumbo defense had during a 17-0 shutout of the Continentals.

"He has improved every day since he came here," Tufts defensive coordinator John Walsh said. "He brings a mature presence to the field and wasn't rattled about suddenly going into the game. Instead, he became a key contributor to a good overall effort by our defense."

Perry's first career interception came in the fourth quarter right after the Jumbos had scored to take a 17-0 lead. He shared the sack with teammate Pete Christensen (Leesbury, VA/Stone Bridge) on third down late in the second quarter to force a Hamilton punt.

The Tufts defense intercepted five passes and had four sacks overall in the game, which helped the Jumbos get off to a 1-0 start. They allowed just 231 total yards to Hamilton, including 48 on the ground.

McDavitt's status for Saturday's Homecoming Day game against Bates is unknown, so Perry could find himself on the sideline again soon. However, he showed in a little more than one half of football on Saturday that he's ready when needed.

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