Johns Hopkins? defense has a new look.
Limiting Hampden-Sydney to just 182 yards in its season-opening 17-16 win, the Blue Jays are already developing the identity of physical team. The Tigers ground game was brought to a halt, gaining only 12 yards on 27 carries. Hopkins also demonstrated outstanding special teams play ? highlighted by a blocked point-after and 47-yard game-winning field goal as time expired.
“We spend a great deal of time on [special teams],” Johns Hopkins coach Jim Margraff said. “Special teams miscues happen constantly in the beginning of the year and we make them a major focus of preseason camp.”
A brand-new startingdefensive line fueled the victory. Defensive tackle Scott Meyers blocked the point-after and added three tackles and defensive end Chris DiForte posted three stops and blocked field goal to secure the win. Defensive end Tom O?Neill and defensive tackle Patrick Kay each recorded seven tackles.
“We retooled a lot upfront and those guys played very well,” Margraff said. “Overall for a first outing defensively, we faced a very tough team. They load up with trick plays and screens.”
They should face another tough test on Saturday afternoon at 1, when the Blue Jays host Randolph-Macon, which pounded Denison, 42-16, in its season-opener.
The offense began to establish itself after being ineffective for much of last season. Running back Phil Roberts grinded out 87 of the team?s 184 rushing yards, but the offense will need more consistency next week in its passing game. Quarterback Michael Murray, who finished 22-of-33 for 134 yards with three interceptions, struggled in the opener, but Margraff is optimistic about his performance next week.
“The thing our guys did was stuck to our guns,” Margraff said. “We continued to run the football.”
