Oct. 23, 2004

Box Score

BALTIMORE, Md. -- Freshman Jordan Grube (New Tripoli, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) kicked three field goals and Muhlenberg's top-ranked defense held Johns Hopkins to just 173 yards of total offense as the Mules slipped past the Blue Jays, 9-6 at Homewood Field Saturday afternoon. The win is the third straight for the Mules, who improve to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Centennial Conference. Hopkins had its two-game winning streak snapped and falls to 5-2, 2-2.

In a game that featured less than 400 yards of total offense by both teams combined, it was the kickers who provided all the scoring as Hopkins' Ben Scott (Pittsburgh, PA/Shady Side Academy) nailed a pair of field goals for the Blue Jays. Both teams had chances at touchdowns, but both defenses were up to the task.

Grube opened the scoring midway through the first quarter as he capped a 15-play, 59-yard drive with a 42-yard field goal. Twice it appeared the Blue Jays had stopped the Mules on the drive, but an offside penalty on a third-and-four play that went nowhere and a roughing the punter penalty extended the drive that gave the Mules the early lead.

Hopkins answered with what would be its second-longest drive of the game. A 13-play, 53-yard drive was capped by Scott's 34-yard field goal with 3:35 remaining in the first quarter. The Blue Jays actually had a first down at the Muhlenberg 12-yard line and senior Adam Cook (New Freedom, PA/Susquehannock) spun his way into the end zone, but an illegal shift on the play pushed the ball back to the 17-yard line. After three straight incompletions the Blue Jays were forced to settle for the Scott field goal.

The score remained 3-3 until the final moments of the second quarter when the Mules would take the lead for good. A seven-play, 40-yard drive was fueled by a Nick Rosetti (East Atco, NJ/Edgewood) to Mike Karchner (Stroudsburg, PA/Pocono Mountain East) pass that covered 35 yards and gave the Mules a first-and-goal at the Blue Jay nine-yard line. Alan Cody (North Bergen, NJ/St. Peter's Prep) and Brian Nickel (Waupun, WI/Waupun) combined to sack Rosetti for a 14-yard loss on first down and two more plays netted just seven yards before Grube gave the Mules the lead for good with a 33-yard field goal with just 10 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

The Mules wasted little time pushing the lead to 9-3 as they took the opening possession of the second half and drive from their own 33-yard line to the Blue Jay 20, where the drive stalled. Grube made it 3-for-3 in the game and 4-for-4 on the year as he nailed a 37-yard field goal for what proved to be the winning margin.

The Hopkins defense, which allowed just 224 yards in the game, came up with what could have been the game-changing play on the Mules' next possession as junior cornerback Brian Schiller (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains) intercepted a Rosetti pass that was tipped and returned it 38 yards to the Muhlenberg three-yard line. Again, however the Mule defense, which entered the game having allowed just five offensive touchdowns in six games, was up to the task. A first-down run was stuffed for no gain and two straight passes were incomplete in the end zone. Scott came on and drilled a 25-yard field goal to pull the Blue Jays within 9-6.

The Blue Jays went three-and-out on their next three possessions before mounting their best offensive drive of the game late in the fourth quarter. After taking over at their own seven-yard line the Blue Jays moved 70 yards to the Muhlenberg 23 as junior quarterback Zach DiIonno (West Caldwell, NJ/James Caldwell) completed 4-of-8 passes on the drive, including completions of 28 and 38 yards to senior Brian Wolcott (Harding, PA/Wyoming Area). However, the drive stalled and Scott just missed wide left from 40 yards out with 5:37 remaining.

The Blue Jay defense forced a quick three-and-out on Muhlenberg's next possession and junior Evan Earnest (Lancaster, PA/Hempfield) returned the ensuing punt to the MC 41-yard line, but Hopkins couldn't get close enough to attempt a field goal and turned the ball over on downs. Muhlenberg picked up the one first down it needed on the following possession and ran out the clock to seal its fourth straight win over the Blue Jays.

Rosetti was 14-of-26 for 129 yards with the one interception, while freshman Ross Tanner (Montville, NJ/Montville) rushed 33 times for 80 yards. However, it was Grube and the Mule defense that won the game. Ryan Peer (Sparta, NJ/Sparta) registered a team-high seven tackles and Dan Walker (Stratford, CT/Bunnell) added six as the Mules held the Blue Jays to 13 net rushing yards. Justin Adair (Morristown, NJ/Morristown) had a team-high four pass breakups, including one in the end zone when the Blue Jays took over at the three-yard line late in the third quarter.

DiIonno was 17-of-40 for 160 yards and Wolcott had five receptions for 84 yards to lead the Blue Jays offensively. Cody led the Blue Jay defense with a career-high 12 tackles, including five for losses and 2.5 sacks. Max Whitacre (Sugarloaf, PA/Bishop Hafey) and Brian Cook (New Freedom, PA/Susquehannock) both added 10 tackles for Hopkins, which extended its streak of holding teams to 17 points or less to 18 games.

Johns Hopkins will next be in action next Saturday when the Blue Jays play at Ursinus. Muhlenberg will host Gettysburg next Saturday.

- 30 -