There’s nothing like a little drama on a Saturday night in the NESCAC.

Tufts used a series of big plays in the second half – and a stop on a 2-point conversion with under 2:00 remaining – to beat Wesleyan, 22-20, in Somerville.

The teams played to a 7-7 tie in the first half.  In the second half, a string of big plays by the Jumbos gave them the momentum.  First, Cameron Pineda intercepted Matt Fitzsimons and returned it 64 yards to give Tufts the lead.  After Fitzsimons hit Blake Newcomb to tie the game at 14, Keller Rogers returned the ensuing kickoff 71 yards.  That led to the first of Vaughn Seelicke’s two field goals.  On the Cardinals’ next possession, the Jumbos blocked a punt.  The ball went out of the end zone for a safety.

In the fourth quarter, Seelicke’s second field goal gave Tufts a 22-14 lead.  But the Cardinals had one last shot.  They took advantage of an interception, and Fitzsimons scored his second rushing TD to make it 22-20.  But he was stopped at the 1-yard line on the 2-point conversion needed to tie the game.  Tufts was able to run out the clock.

Fitzsimons accounted for all three of the Cardinals’ touchdowns (2 rushing, 1 passing.)  Wesleyan was held to 261 yards of total offense.  The Jumbos only had 219, but the big plays on special teams were huge.

Next week: Tufts travels to Amherst.  Wesleyan stays on the road to play Bates.