Teams: Football: Press Releases

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

NINE FOOTBALL JUMBOS SELECTED TO ALL-NESCAC TEAMS

All-NESCAC first team pick David Halas corralled more touchdown passes than anyone in Tufts history this fall with 11

MEDFORD -- Nine members of the 2008 Tufts University football team have earned spots on the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) All-Conference Teams announced by the league office today. In a vote by the league's 10 coaches, six Jumbos were honored with first team status and three were given second team recognition. Freshman defensive end Donnie Simmons (Houston, TX) was voted the league's Rookie of the Year.

Three members of the Tufts offense are on the All-Conference first team: senior running back Will Forde (Hyde Park, MA), senior fullback Kevin Anderson (Hopkinton, MA) and senior wide receiver David Halas (Southbury, CT). Forde was second in NESCAC with 807 rushing yards and scored seven touchdowns. Anderson, a ferocious lead blocker who added 127 yards rushing this year, was on the first team for the third straight season. Halas (40 receptions, 599 yards) set Tufts records with 11 touchdown catches this season and 19 for his career.

Likewise, three defensive players from the Jumbos are on the All-NESCAC first team: Simmons, senior linebacker Tyson Reynoso (Bellevue, ID) and junior safety Tom Tassinari (North Andover, MA). Simmons, whose 3.5 sacks and 8.5 total tackles for losses led the Jumbos, is the first freshman to make the first team dating back to 1984, prior to which conference records are unclear. Reynoso, who like Halas was on the All-NESCAC second team last fall, led Tufts in tackles with 73 (43 solo). Tassinari, who topped NESCAC with 127 interception return yards on five picks this fall, was voted to the first team for the second straight year.

On the All-NESCAC second team, junior left guard Adam Wueger (Marietta, GA), senior tight end Max Cassidy (New Fairfield, CT) and junior safety Alex Perry (Danvers, MA) represent the Jumbos. Wueger led a line that was the catalyst for the #1 ranked quarterback (according to efficiency) and the #2 ranked rusher in the NESCAC. Cassidy caught 12 passes for 166 yards, in addition to his contributions blocking and as the long snaper. Perry, who began the season as a linebacker, finished with 50 tackles (35 solo) and two interceptions.

With nine selections, Tufts had the third-most in the league behind undefeated league champion Trinity (12) and second-place Williams (10). The six first team players are tied for second-most with Amherst, behind Trinity (7). Coach Bill Samko's Tufts team finished 4-4, tying for fifth place with Bowdoin College in NESCAC. The Jumbos defeated Williams College for the first time since 1986 on October 18, 17-7.

► 2008 All-NESCAC Football Teams

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