Bowdoin Picks Off Historic Victory at Tufts For First Win of Season
Bowdoin College opened and closed the scoring with mammoth
interception returns for scores as the Polar Bears downed Tufts
27-6 in the Jumbos' home opener at Ellis Oval/Zimman Field on
Saturday.
With 10:43 remaining in the second period, sophomore Joey Cleary
opened the scoring by picking off a Johnny Lindquist pass at the
Bowdoin one and running straight down the right sideline for a
99-yard touchdown. The Jumbos had driven to the Bowdoin 5 following
an eight-play, 46-yard drive. Lindquist was attempting to scramble
to the right and threw the ball while being tackled.
Not to be outdone, sophomore Griffin Cardew closed the scoring and
sealed the win with a near instant replay with 4:10 remaining in
the contest as he snared a Lindquist pass at the goal line and
returned the ball for an NCAA record-tying 100-yard return.
It is believed to be the first time in Division III history that a
team has returned two interceptions of at least 99 yards for a
score in the same game. It is the first time in NESCAC history that
a team has turned the trick and the two returns become the two
longest plays in the 120-year history of Bowdoin football.
Bowdoin scored the third quarter's only touchdown on a 13-play,
61-yard drive following the kickoff. The drive consumed the
first 5:17 of the period. Zach Donnarumma went the final
three yards for a 13-0 Bowdoin lead.
The Polar Bears used a ball control offense with running plays and
short passes to control the ball for much of the second half,
holding a 20:26 to 9:34 edge in time of possession. Bowdoin
opened the fourth quarter scoring following a 16-play, 86-yard
drive that consumed 7:07 on the clock spanning the third and fourth
quarters. Sean O'Malley capped the drive on a two-yard pass
from Grant White.
Tufts answered almost immediately with Dylan Hass starting the
Jumbos off with a 48-yard return of a short kickoff to bring the
ball to the Polar Bear 27. It took Lindquist only one play
and 20 seconds to put Tufts on the board with a 27-yard strike to
Mike Howell to make the score 20-6.
Donnarumma finished at 100 yards on the ground exactly on 28
carries to lead the Polar Bears. White added 62 yards in 11 rushes,
while also completing 13 of 16 passes for 101 yards. Senior Pat
Noone caught five passes for 48 yards. In addition to the
interception return, Cleary finished with seven tackles (six solos)
including a sack, a pass break-up and a quarterback hurry.
Lindquist went 15 for 28 for 170 yards at quarterback for Tufts,
including four balls for 40 yards to Haas. Sophomore Ryan Pollock
had 35 yards on the ground. Senior linebacker Zack Skarzynski
topped double digits in tackles again with 16, including one for a
loss. Bowdoin outgained the Jumbos 291-229, with a 190-59 yard edge
in rushing.
Bowdoin will look to even their record next Saturday as they host
Hamilton at noon.
