[h1]Tufts always finds the time[/h1][h2]Fucillo facilitates no-huddle offense[/h2]
Senior Anthony Fucillo leads the NESCAC in total offense (327.3 yards per game) and threw for 503 yards last weekend.(Photo Courtesy of Tufts)
The seismic shift in scheme, from a grind-it-out, two-back set to a no-huddle spread attack, was simply a matter of structuring the offense to best suit the personnel at Tufts.
But in the big picture, Bill Samko was thinking long term, and how best to tackle the Amherst-Trinity-Williams troika that has ruled the NESCAC the past decade plus.
“It fits who we have right now, and it gives you a chance to compete consistently with those teams, and maybe level the playing field a bit,’’ said Samko, the 17-year coach who is encouraged by his team’s progress and potential despite its 1-5 record.
“It was time to try something different. You find the best athletes you can, and tailor your system around their strengths. And the kids love it. We are not far away from being a good team, record-wise.’’
“I want to thank Coach Samko for the opportunity to throw the ball 60 to 70 times per game,’’ said senior Anthony Fucillo, who has attempted at least 60 passes three times this season.
This from a quarterback who averaged 10 attempts per game his senior year at Winthrop High, operating out of the Wing-T.
The Jumbos ran 111 plays in last week’s 70-49 loss to unbeaten Amherst, the most points the Lord Jeffs have allowed since a 51-7 loss to Trinity in 1991. Tufts led at the half, 35-28, prompting Amherst to go no-huddle.
Samko quipped to the umpire pregame, “If you place that ball, and then get out of the way, we’d appreciate that.’’
Only twice this season have the Jumbos failed to run 70 plays in a game.
“The last time we huddled was [in the season opener] against Hamilton,’’ Samko said.
Fucillo threw for 503 yards (a New England Division 3 record) and three touchdowns on 42-of-63 passing, and ran for two scores. The performance earned him the Division 2-3 Gold Helmet.
The Jumbos have a collection of talented wideouts: versatile Pat Bailey, a 5-foot-7-inch senior out of Beverly who has made a rather seamless transition from the backfield and leads the conference in catches (44); classmates Billy Mahler (37 receptions) and Greg Stewart (30); and sophomore Dylan Haas, who made 13 catches for 205 yards last week.
But the 6-3, 225-pound Fucillo makes the up-tempo offense click, even though he entered the season not having taken a snap in game conditions in more than 20 months. In a preseason scrimmage in 2009, Fucillo broke his right ankle, a devastating blow to the Jumbos as they lost the NESCAC leader in passing efficiency in 2008.
His season over, Fucillo became an assistant coach and signaled in plays from the sideline.
“And he wasn’t shy about sharing his ideas,’’ said Samko of Fucillo, who was the university’s male recipient of the Murray-Kenney Award last year for his positive attitude and persistence.
It was just the latest challenge for Fucillo, who started his college career at Colgate, suffered a knee injury as a sophomore that required surgery, and then transferred to Tufts after his junior season.
His rehab from ankle surgery lingered into the spring, and it was not until this summer that he decided to return for his final year of eligibility.
“I was not sure how I would react to playing actual football,’’ said Fucillo, now 24.
Bailey was not concerned.
“His passion for the game is not matched by many people,’’ he said. “Anthony has done a phenomenal job, he’s a real leader on the field.’’
The X’s and O’s were not an issue in the no-huddle.
“It’s the pace, and you don’t really get that feel until you play in the first game,’’ said Fucillo, who leads the NESCAC in total offense (327.3 yards per game).
“What impresses me the most is his will and character. He missed all of last season, and in our league, we have no spring practice, so it’s almost like a two-year layoff,’’ said Samko. “It’s taken a little bit of time, but he’s moving better and better.’’
In his final home game this afternoon in Medford, Fucillo will try to pick apart a Colby squad that features the best passing defense in the conference.
Tony Fucillo, a member of the Mass. State Football Coaches Hall of Fame, has been alongside his son this season, working as the receivers coach under Samko, his former teammate at Worcester Academy.
“Obviously, he’s had a big influence on me, he’s seemingly coached me all my life,’’ said Anthony Fucillo, who is determined to follow his father into the profession.
70-49 losses after running 111 plays and 600 total yards of offense though?
Dudes are hurting without AntonLavey in that defensive backfield.
and just for good measure
for those that haven't seen it yet.
