Hartford, Conn.- Senior quarterback Greg Ward (Avon, Conn.) connected with junior wide receiver Joe Wahl (Riverside, R.I.) on a 10-yard touchdown pass with 9:08 remaining in the fourth quarter to lead the Trinity College Bantams to a come-from-behind, 13-12 win over the previously undefeated Tufts University Jumbos in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) football action this afternoon at Jessee/Miller Field. Trinity improves to 3-1 with its second straight win, while the Jumbos fall to 3-1 with their first loss of the season.

Tufts opened the scoring on the first drive of the game, marching 65 yards in 10 plays, capped off by a one-yard touchdown plunge by senior captain quarterback Scott Treacy (Wakefield, Mass.). Bantam junior cornerback Matt Glasz (North Haven, Conn.) got a hand on the extra-point attempt to keep the score at 6-0.

The Bantams pulled even late in the first quarter, when senior safety Gavin O’Reilly (Cheshire, Conn.) blocked a Jumbo punt and sophomore teammate Duane Tyler (Mitchellville, Md.) pounced on the ball for a Trinity touchdown. A fumbled snap foiled the Bantam extra-point try, tying the score at 6-6.

The Jumbos mounted another impressive drive as the half drew to a close, advancing 62 yards on 10 plays including a 31-yard scoring pass down the right sideline from Treacy to sophomore receiver Kevin Holland (Williamstown, Mass.). A botched snap on the extra-point try kept the Bantams within six points at 12-6 at the half.

The score remained the same as rainy conditions contributed to a slow day for both offensive units, until a short Tufts punt gave Trinity the ball in Jumbo territory early in the fourth quarter. Ward completed a 16-yard pass to Wahl, which was followed by a pass interference call on the Jumbos that gave Trinity the ball on the Tufts 15-yard line. Bantam junior running back Tom Pierandri (Ridgefield, Conn.) rushed for five yards on the next play, to set up Ward for a 10-yard fade to Wahl in the left corner of the end zone.

Both teams were impressive defensively, as each offense averaged less than three yards per carry on the ground. Trinity junior linebacker Greg Tanner (Wellesley, Mass.) had 10 tackles and an interception, while senior linebacker Curtis Tubbs (Rochester, Mass.) made 10 hits and forced a fumble. Bantam junior safety Tim Mullaney (Wellesley, Mass.) totaled nine tackles with two for losses and two passes defensed, while junior defensive end Jamie Creed (Valley Forge, Pa.) finished with five tackles and a sack. Drew Blewett (Great Falls, Mont.) paced Tufts with nine tackles and an interception, while senior captain lineman Caleb Hudak (White River Junction, Vt.) added five hits with two for losses.

Ward completed 10 passes in 29 attempts with one touchdown and one interception, while Treacy was 17-for-32 for 180 yards with one pick and one score. Junior wide out Tim Mack (St. Louis, Mo.) was the game’s top receiver with five catches for 76 yards. Wahl led the Bantams with three catches for 31 yards and one touchdown, and averaged 38.4 yard on eight punts.