Oct. 24, 2005

LANCASTER, PA - Johns Hopkins junior linebacker Matt Hagel (Linwood, NJ/Mainland) has been named the Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Hopkins' 13-10 win at Muhlenberg last Saturday. Hagel is the seventh Johns Hopkins player to be honored by the Centennial Conference as a Player of the Week this season, including the third different defensive player (three defensive, two offensive, two special teams).

Hagel posted a season-high 11 tackles, including three for losses and 1.5 sacks, had one interception and one pass breakup to the lead the way defensively for Johns Hopkins, which held the Mules to just 158 yards of total offense in Saturday's win. Muhlenberg took a 10-3 lead early in the third quarter, but was then held to 15 total yards on its final six possessions of the game as the Blue Jays ran their overall winning streak to 11 games dating back to last season and their road winning streak to nine games dating back to late in the 2003 season.

Hagel currently ranks second on the team in tackles (50) and tackles for losses (7.5) and is tied for the team-lead in sacks (3.5). He also has two interceptions, one pass breakup and one blocked field goal to his credit. He also returned a blocked punt six yards for a touchdown in a 14-0 win over Gettysburg on October 14 and his 11-tackle effort against Muhlenberg pushed his career tackle total to 169.

With Hagel leading the way the Johns Hopkins defense continues to rank among the best in the nation. The Blue Jays currently rank first in the Centennial Conference in scoring defense (6.3), rushing defense (91.1) passing defense (116.6), total defense (207.7) and pass efficiency defense (75.7 rating). The Blue Jays have held five of seven opponents to seven points or less and have allowed a total of just 44 points in seven games.

Johns Hopkins (7-0, 4-0 Centennial Conference) secured a share of a fourth straight Centennial Conference Championship with last week's win at Muhlenberg. The Blue Jays, whose 11-game winning streak is tied for the longest in school history (2002-03), can secure their first outright CC title and first-ever trip to the NCAA Playoffs with a win this Saturday against Ursinus (3-4, 1-2 CC).