AMHERST, Mass. – Jumbos quarterback Michael Berluti threw three touchdown passes to lead Tufts University to a 34-14 win over the Amherst College football team in NESCAC action on a rainy Saturday afternoon on Pratt Field at Lehrman Stadium.

The Jumbos improved to 5-1 with their fifth straight win, while the Mammoths fell to 2-4 this season.

Amherst is back in action next weekend, visiting Little Three rival Wesleyan for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 28.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

* After forcing a Tufts three-and-out early in the second quarter, the Mammoths took over on their own 29-yard line. Junior quarterback Jack Cox found sophomore Carter Jung for a 25-yard gain, then senior running back Louie Eckelkamp bulldozed through the defense for a 29-yard gain that brought the Mammoths inside the red zone. After a few more rushes got Amherst to the 1-yard line, sophomore Cato Legaspi broke through to the end zone for his second touchdown of the season and the extra point from first-year Matthew Kelley gave the Mammoths a 7-0 lead.

* Tufts evened the score on their next possession. After four rushes from junior Chartellis Reece accounted for 49 yards, Berluti found junior Cade Moore in the end zone to tie the game at 7-7.

* The Jumbos took the lead on their next offensive snap as Berluti threw a touchdown pass to senior Jaden Richardson for the 11th time this season, connecting for a 55-yard score.

* Berluti rushed for a touchdown of his own in the third quarter, running 34 yards to give the Jumbos a 21-7 lead.

* Graduate student Patrick Walsh kicked a pair of field goals for the Jumbos before the third quarter was over, splitting the uprights from 35 and 30 yards to give Tufts a 27-7 lead entering the fourth quarter.

* The Jumbos opened the fourth quarter with senior defensive back Drew Guida forcing and recovering a fumble to give Tufts the ball in the red zone and Berluti threw Moore his second touchdown reception of the game from 10 yards out to give the Jumbos a 34-7 lead.

* Later in the fourth, the Mammoths forced a turnover to get the ball on a short field. First-year defensive back Tylik Sims stripped the ball from Tufts running back Aundre Smith and senior linebacker Adam Tolk fell on the ball on the 34-yard line. The Mammoths capitalized on the ensuing drive as senior quarterback Mike Piazza threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Jung, the second touchdown reception of the season for the sophomore.

BY THE NUMBERS:

* Berluti was 18-for-34 passing for 220 yards with Richardson picking up 98 receiving yards on 4 receptions. Reece was the Jumbos' leading rusher with 89 yards on 21 carries.

* Cox led the Mammoths with 71 passing yards. Eckelkamp rushed for 44 yards on 10 carries. Jung tallied 41 receiving yards.

* Junior Solomon Christopher led the Mammoths on defense with a career-high nine tackles. Tolk and junior lineman Ethan Burdo each recovered fumbles for the Mammoths.

* The Jumbos had a 426-171 advantage in total offensive yards.