GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Senior Kyle Wigley (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) recorded his fourth 100-yard rushing effort of the season, but it wasn't enough to power Gettysburg College past eighth-ranked Johns Hopkins University as the visiting Blue Jays remained perfect with a 36-7 decision at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium.
Gettysburg (5-2, 4-2 CC) was held scoreless in the opening half for the first time this season. Johns Hopkins (7-0, 6-0 CC), which ran its Centennial Conference winning streak to 25 games, opened its first drive with a 46-yard pass from Jon Germano to Quinn Donaldson. The Blue Jays capped the possession with a three-yard rush by Germano for a 7-0 lead at 9:08.
The visitors added another touchdown in the opening period as Brandon Cherry racked up a total of 56 rushing yards on the drive, including a four-yard dive for the score. Senior Kodie McNamara (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan) swatted away the ensuing extra point attempt to keep the score at 13-0.
The Bullets were unable to answer in the first half, punting the ball three times and turning the ball over three times. After Johns Hopkins added to its advantage with another TD rush by Cherry, the hosts turned in a 14-play, 89-yard drive. Gettysburg was unable to convert as Brady Watts forced a fumble at the goal line and Jack Campbell recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback.
Johns Hopkins added a 25-yard field goal by Jamie Sullivan for a 22-0 lead at the half.
Gettysburg posted the first score of the second half. Senior Sam McDermott (Newtown, Pa./Notre Dame (N.J.)) found junior Jordan Kelso (Cookstown, N.J./Bordentown Regional) for a 26-yard reception early in the drive. Wigley toted the ball four times for 29 yards to set up McDermott for a one-yard plunge.
Junior Garrett Kelley (Savage, Md./Hammond) picked off a pass by Germano in Gettysburg territory on the ensuing drive, but Gettysburg was unable to convert on the turnover despite driving into Blue Jay territory. Johns Hopkins came right back with a touchdown as Germano capped the drive with a 14-yard strike to Bradley Munday to set the score at 29-7. The third quarter ended with another fumble by the Bullets as Campbell posted the hit on Wigley and Watts recovered the ball.
The Blue Jays picked up the final score of the game on a 20-yard carry by Stuart Walters with four minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Johns Hopkins finished with 430 yards of total offense, while Gettysburg totaled 321. The Blue Jays posted 250 yards on the ground and converted on all six of its red zone possessions. The Bullets turned the ball over five times and went 5-of-14 on third-down conversions.
Wigley carried the ball 25 times for 143 yards. He became just the 11th player in program history to reach 400 carries and now sits 10th with 415. McDermott finished 12-of-16 with one interception before being sidelined early in the fourth quarter after a hard hit. He also added 54 yards on 17 carries.
Junior Chris Miller (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan) totaled 14 tackles, including 10 of the solo variety and one tackle for a loss. McNamara picked up a dozen stops and sits just nine shy of second place on Gettysburg's career list. Sophomore Frank Olmo (Eatontown, N.J./Red Bank Catholic) tallied two tackles for a loss.
Cherry picked up 119 yards and two scores on 15 carries, while Walters added 83 yards and a TD on 15 totes. Germano finished 21-of-33 for 180 yards and posted 44 yards on the ground. Munday totaled 85 yards on eight catches. Campbell finished a busy afternoon with 15 tackles (12 solo), half a sack, 1.5 tackles for a loss, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
Gettysburg heads to Moravian (6-1, 5-1 CC) next Saturday at 1 p.m.