The Continentals hope to start their season off strong this weekend as they travel to Medford, Massachusetts to take on Tufts. This will be the first meeting between these two teams since 2015, another away season-opener in which Tufts prevailed 24–21 in a tight, overtime contest. On paper, the two teams are more evenly matched than last year’s records would indicate. Offensively, the Continentals threw for more yards per-game, 194.6, than the Jumbos, 134.8. On the other side of the ball, Hamilton yielded only 23.8 more total yards than Tufts — 353.9 to 330.1, respectively.

Though the numbers suggest these two teams are well matched going into Saturday’s contest, Hamilton has taken no shortcuts in preparing for Tuft’s high-powered offense. When asked what adjustments the Continentals will make ahead of the matchup, defensive end John Thomsen ’19 explained: “[Tyler Hudson ’19] is looking very strong at middle linebacker, having moved from defensive end where teams could run the ball away from him. Since he’s now in the middle of the field, there’s nowhere for the running back to hide.” This positional switch will hopefully help slow down a Jumbo squad that rushed for 239.3 yards per game last year.

Additionally, Thomsen explained how Hamilton’s defense will rely on Colby Jones ’19, who Thomsen describes as, “very strong at safety, punishing opposing receivers downfield,” to complement Hudson’s tenacious run defense. Rounding out Hamilton’s defensive standouts are Will Rothschild ’19, Jeff Martinez ’21 and Cole Burchill ’19 who, according to Thomsen, “are looking big up front, stuffing the run as well as bringing a solid pass rush on passing plays.” Burchill, as Thomsen notes, “hits harder than anyone on the field.” With the addition of new defensive back’s coach Chris Sargent, Hamilton will need every bit of what looks to be a strong defensive squad to overcome Tuft’s potent offensive attack.

Offensively, Hamilton will look to employ a balanced onslaught led by quarterback Kenny Gray ’20 and facilitated by running back Marcus Gutierrez ’18, standout receiver Joseph Schmidt ’20 and tight end Trevor Pinkham ’19. Ryan Phelps ’19, a Continental receiver, gave an apt summary of Hamilton’s offensive prowess ahead of Saturday’s matchup: “Trevor Pinkham’s position change from HB to TE is looking to fill the shoes of Jordan Jenkins ’17 contribution to the aerial game last season and Gutierrez is looking to improve on solid yards-per-carry season averages from last year.” Finally, Phelps notes that, after a year of play under his belt, Schmidt will certainly “enhance our pass game.” The man who is responsible for leading The Continentals on the offensive side of the ball, Kenny Gray ’20, is looking to improve on last year’s excellent first-year campaign in which he threw for 903 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for 78 yards — punching it in the end zone on-foot twice. If everyone mentioned above is firing on all cylinders Saturday, Tufts will have their hands full slowing the Continentals on offense.

As for the Jumbos, who sport a 4–0 home record in three of the last four seasons, they will undoubtedly rely on huge crowd support from their stadium — one of the largest in the NESCAC — to try and propel them to victory.

Should Hamilton prevail, it would mark their first season opener win since 2011. The Continentals, who have added one win to their previous year’s total for two consecutive seasons, could use a statement win at Tufts to set an auspicious tone for their season.