LEWISTON, Maine – Tufts University defeated Bates College, 34-7, in New England Small College Athletic Conference football on Saturday. Senior quarterback Casey D'Annolfo completed 16 of 23 passes for 255 yards and four touchdowns, including three scoring passes to junior wide receiver Brian VonAncken, who had five catches for 100 yards.

Freshman Tufts running back William Forde, making his collegiate rushing debut, gained 55 yards on seven carries, including a 17-yard touchdown scamper in the second quarter.

Tufts, 2-0, held Bates, 0-2, to nine of 30 passing for 66 yards and 117 rushing yards on 39 carries. For Bates, junior wide receiver Dylan McNamara caught six passes for 56 yards, including Bates' touchdown in the second quarter from sophomore quarterback Brandon Colon. Tufts amassed 407 total yards to Bates' 183.

Tufts opened the scoring with a 59-yard touchdown pass from D'Annolfo to J.B. Bruno at 10:45 of the first quarter. Bates blocked the PAT for a 6-0 Tufts lead. Another long D'Annolfo touchdown pass, floated to VonAncken along the sideline, gave Tufts a 13-0 lead.

Bates advanced into Tufts territory for the first time early in the second quarter. Bates' Colon (26 attempts, nine completions, one interception) completed a 37-yard pass to McNamara, who went up amid three defenders for the ball. After a short run, Colon found McNamara for a five-yard touchdown pass.

Bates would advance deep into Tufts territory late in the third quarter with the score 20-7. On third and two from the Tufts five-yard line with five minutes remaining in the quarter, a Colon pass tipped off the outstretched hands of tight end John MacKenzie. On fourth and two Tufts' defensive back Brett Holm tripped up Bates running back Eric Obeng for no gain.

Scoring Summary
Tufts University (2-0)    13   7   0   14   -34
Bates College    (0-2)     0   7   0    0    -7

T – Bruno 59 pass from D'Annalfo (kick blocked). 10:45

T – VonAncken 43 pass from D'Annalfo (McDavitt kick) 9:06

T – Forde 18 run (McDavitt kick) 14:24

B – MacNamara 5 pass from Colon (Schmelz kick) 11:07

T – VonAncken 3 pass from D'Annalfo (McDavitt kick) 13:37

T – VonAncken 22 pass from D'Annalfo (McDavitt kick) 13:25

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