Kickoff: 4:00 PM ET
Venue: Ellis Oval / Zimman Field, Medford, Massachusetts (Capacity: ~4,000)
Broadcast: NESCAC Network
Weather Forecast (Medford, MA)
Temperature: ~73°F (23°C) at kickoff, cooling into the upper 60s by the 4th quarter
Conditions: Mostly sunny, light winds (5–8 mph)
Impact: Excellent early fall football weather; no disruptions expected.
Injury Report
Wesleyan Cardinals (NESCAC):
QB David Estevez (ankle) – Probable.
RB Jordan Reyes (hamstring) – Questionable.
LB Ethan Wallace (shoulder) – Out.
Tufts Jumbos (NESCAC):
QB Michael Berluti (starter, 2,000+ yards in 2024) – Healthy.
RB Tyler Johnson (knee) – Probable.
WR Evan Miller (concussion protocol) – Doubtful.
Key Player Matchups
QB David Estevez (Wesleyan) vs. Tufts Secondary
Estevez’s dual-threat ability will test a Jumbos defense that has been vulnerable to mobile quarterbacks.
RB Jordan Reyes (Wesleyan) vs. Tufts Front Seven
If active, Reyes’ ability to churn out yards could help the Cardinals control tempo.
QB Michael Berluti (Tufts) vs. Wesleyan Pass Rush
Berluti is one of the NESCAC’s most efficient passers; Wesleyan must pressure him to disrupt rhythm.
WR Karsen Denault (Tufts) vs. Wesleyan Corners
With Miller doubtful, Denault becomes the primary target. His ability to win one-on-one matchups is critical.
Recent Team Form
Wesleyan Cardinals (1–0, NESCAC)
9/13/25: W 31–17 vs. Middlebury
End of 2024: W 27–17 @ Trinity, W 25–24 vs. Williams, W 31–14 @ Amherst, W 17–14 @ Bowdoin, W 23–17 OT vs. Colby
Trend: Riding a 6-game winning streak dating back to 2024; defense allowing under 20 PPG.
Tufts Jumbos (1–0, NESCAC)
9/13/25: W 30–7 @ Bowdoin
End of 2024: W 17–7 vs. Middlebury, W 28–21 @ Colby, W 27–24 @ Williams, W 20–13 vs. Hamilton, W 45–22 @ Bates
Trend: Riding a 6-game winning streak; offense averaging 27 PPG, defense allowing just 14 PPG.
Series History
Tufts leads the all-time series.
Last meeting (2024): Wesleyan defeated Tufts 36–20 in Middletown.
Wesleyan has won 2 of the last 3 meetings.
Tufts’ last win over Wesleyan came in 2022.
Betting Trends
Wesleyan:
4–1 ATS in last 5 games.
3 of last 5 games have gone under the total.
5–0 SU in last 5 games overall.
Tufts:
4–1 ATS in last 5 games.
3 of last 5 games have gone over the total.
5–0 SU in last 5 games overall.
Head-to-Head: Wesleyan covered in 2 of the last 3 meetings.
Historical Betting Results
Wesleyan: Profitable ATS as a road underdog; unders common when defense dictates pace.
Tufts: Profitable ATS at home; overs frequent when offense clicks.
NESCAC Trends: Home favorites cover ~57% of the time in September conference play.
Game Odds
Wesleyan-(CT) Cardinals 47.5
Tufts Jumbos – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025
