Junior Adam Cook (16 carries for 87 yards) sheds a tackle in the Blue Jays' 24-0 win over Randolph Macon last Saturday on Homewood Field. (Vadim Gretchouchkin/News-Letter)
Senior Joe DeLuzio's second-half interception set up another Jays' touchdown, making the score 21-0. (Vadim Gretchouchkin/News-Letter)
Hopkins has cracked the top 25 for the first time in school history in the most recent AFCA Division III poll, improving four spots to No. 23 in the nation. Currently, the Blue Jays have tied the school record for consecutive games won with a seven-game streak, dating back to last season.
A stifling Blue Jay defense and a balanced offensive attack gave Hopkins the spark it needed to avenge last year's 17-12 loss to RMC down in Ashland, Virginia.
The Hopkins offense, which racked up over 500 yards total in the previous week's win over Washington & Lee, utilized both the run and the pass once again to put points on the board. The Jays amassed 234 yards on the ground and 132 via the pass, despite playing without senior quarterback George Merrell, who was sidelined with a knee injury.
The only cause for concern offensively for the Jays this year has been turnovers, and this game was no different. Hopkins turned the ball over three times, all via interceptions. The Jays also failed to convert a first and goal opportunity in the opening half, coming away with no points after a missed field goal.
"Offensively, it's nice to put up a lot of points but I'm more concerned with eliminating the mistakes, mainly turnovers," said Hopkins head coach Jim Margraff.
Junior tailback Adam Cook scored first for the Jays on a one-yard plunge late in the first quarter, which represented the only scoring by either team in the first half. Cook had 16 carries and gained 87 yards for the day. He also returned five punts for 46 yards, providing the offense with excellent field position all game. Cook, who had 133 all-purpose yards, reached the 2,000 all-purpose yard plateau for his career during the game.
Sophomore tailback T.J. Lyons scored Hopkins' second touchdown on an eight-yard run late in the third quarter. That touchdown gave the Jays a 14-0 lead. Lyons, who split the tailback duties with Cook, had 58 yards on 16 carries.
Wolcott, who has found himself in the end zone four times already this season, ended the day with six receptions for 48 yards. The 26-yard reverse was his only rushing attempt. Senior tight end Jason Lehman and freshman receiver Evan Earnest each hauled in two catches on the day as well. Junior fullback Nate Readal had 24 yards on four carries to go along with two receptions for 16 yards. Readal also punished the Yellow Jacket linebackers all game, opening holes for Cook and Lyons.
DiIonno - the leading passer for the Jays last season - filled in for the injured Merrell, and completed 16 of 31 passes for 132 yards. He spread the ball around well, connecting with seven different receivers over the course of the game.
Freshman kicker Ben Scott, who has handled the kickoff duties thus far this season, scored his first points at Hopkins with a 27-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter.
The Blue Jay defense, which posted its first shutout of the season, stifled the Randolph Macon offense with four interceptions and two sacks. The Yellow Jackets only managed to put up 153 yards of offense on the day. Junior safety Matt Campbell led the team with eight tackles and also had an interception that set up Lyons' third-quarter touchdown.
Campbell, a first-team All-Centennial and ECAC Southwest selection last season, earned the Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors for his sterling play against the Yellow Jackets.
"From a defensive standpoint, you go into every game trying to shutout the opponent," said Margraff, whose defense has allowed just 16 points through three games. "When you do, it's an outstanding accomplishment."
Senior middle linebacker Pete Botsolas, who currently leads the team in tackles, had eight stops and an interception. Seniors Paul Longo and Joe Deluzio also had interceptions in the game. Deluzio's pick set up Wolcott's crucial touchdown scamper.
Sophomore linebackers Max Whitacre and Adam Luke registered five tackles apiece. The defensive front of senior captain Paul Smith, and sophomores Lee Everett, Mike Aynardi and Alan Cody limited the Yellow Jacket rushing attack to a paltry 58 yards on 23 rushes (2.5 yards per attempt). The defense also allowed just 95 yards through the air on 41 pass attempts.
The Blue Jays look to improve to 4-0 next weekend in the last non-conference game before they kickoff their Centennial Conference schedule.
Hopkins will travel to Pittsburgh to battle the undefeated Carnegie Mellon Tartans on Saturday at 1 p.m. Carnegie Mellon, which has had only one non-winning season in the past 27 years, lost to Hopkins by a score of 27-7 last season.
"Carnegie Mellon leads the nation in turnovers caused, so we have to correct our mistakes in the next few days," said Margraff.
Hopkins begins it conference schedule in two weeks at Dickinson on October 4.
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