Aug. 11, 2005
LANCASTER, PA - The Johns Hopkins football team, which has grabbed a share of the last three Centennial Conference Championships, won three straight ECAC Championships and compiled a 28-5 record over the last three years, tops the 2005 Centennial Preseason Coaches and Sports Information Director's Poll for the second straight year. The Blue Jays are one of four teams that earned at least one first-place vote as the effects last season's amazing five-way tie for the conference title spilled over to this season into the results of the poll
Hopkins received three first-place votes (coaches and SIDs not permitted to vote for their own team) and 61 points to nudge second-place Franklin & Marshall (6 first-place votes / 60 points). Muhlenberg (4/56), McDaniel (1/50), Dickinson (32 points), Ursinus (19 points) and Gettysburg (16 points) round out the poll.
Head coach Jim Margraff counts 12 returning starters among his returning players, including eight on defense. Second Team All-Centennial linebackers Max Whitacre and Matt Hagel lead a linebacking core that returns five players with significant starting experience. Hagel led the team with 106 tackles last season, while Whitacre had a career-high 76, including 10 for losses. Junior Brian Cook returns to anchor the defensive line after recording a school-record 11.5 sacks last season, while senior Adam Colicchio spearheads the secondary after pacing the team with 15 pass breakups and five interceptions last season. Cook earned Honorable Mention All-Centennial honors last season, while Colicchio was a second team honoree.
Offensively the Blue Jays will need to rebuild an offensive line that lost three starters, but return several skill-position players who already rank among the school's all-time leaders in several categories. Senior T.J. Lyons rushed for 637 yards and five touchdowns last season and needs just 425 yards to become the sixth player in school history to top 2,000 career rushing yards. Senior quarterback Zach DiIonno earned Second Team All-Centennial honors last season after throwing for 1,812 yards and 14 touchdowns, while junior wide receiver Anthony Triplin also garnered second team honors after leading the league with 56 receptions for 682 yards and four touchdowns. DiIonno ranks among the top 10 in school history in career passing attempts, completions, yards and touchdown passes, while Triplin's 100 receptions already rank seventh on JHU's career reception list.
Johns Hopkins will open the 2005 season on September 3 at the University of Rochester. The game at Rochester is the first of six road games the Blue Jays will play this season in their quest for a fourth straight conference championship. The Blue Jays are 13-2 in their last 15 games away from Homewood Field.
2005 Centennial Conference Preseason Football Poll:
1. Johns Hopkins - 61 pts. (3 first place votes)
2. Franklin & Marshall - 60 (6)
3. Muhlenberg - 56 (4)
4. McDaniel - 50 (1)
5. Dickinson - 32
6. Ursinus - 19
7. Gettysburg - 16
