An early look at Hopkins
The following was taken from the Preseason Kickoff Edition of D3Football.com:
Johns Hopkins Blue Jays
Last playoff appearance: None
Last conference title: 2004, shared five ways
Head coach: Jim Margraff, 15th year, 85-53-3
Starters returning: 15 (four offense, nine defense, two special teams)
Position battle to watch: Offensive line where JHU has to replace graduated All Conference anchors Matt Weeks and Mike Speer.
Pressure is on: Junior wide receiver Anthony Triplin. Triplin’s four receiving touchdowns in 2004 helped complement senior Brian Wolcott’s eight. But with Wolcott lost to graduation, Triplin must step up his play as the go-to guy in the offense. These two combined for 12 receiving touchdowns in 2004 while the rest of the team accounted for four others. A solid start from Triplin should also open up some spots for youngsters to alleviate some of the pressure.
Their season will be defined by: Playing on the road. The Blue Jays face three of their toughest opponents in 2005 off the renovated Homewood Field’s surface — Hampden-Sydney, McDaniel, and Muhlenberg.
Predicted record: 7-3, 4-2
Capsule: Life in Baltimore has been good over the past three seasons, netting a 28-5 record but lacking an NCAA playoff appearance and plenty of time on the proverbial bubble. The addition of four more at-large berths could help Margraff's birds if only they got out of their own way. Two debilitating losses at home last season doomed the Jays' playoff aspirations, a 17-7 head-scratcher under the lights against Dickinson and a 9-6 loss against Muhlenberg in a battle of the kickers. The difference in the Dickinson loss was an uncanny four interceptions and two fumbles resulting in 14 Red Devils points. A win in either game would have given Hopkins their much-coveted chance in the big dance. Combined with the losses of two all-conference stars (three-time first-team defensive back Matt Campbell and two-time first-team running back Adam Cook), it is easy to think that JHU could once again end up on the outside looking in. They always seem to be just short of their playoff goal. Returning defensive starters Matt Hagel (106 tackles in 2004) and Brian Cook (11½ sacks in 2004) could have something to say about that.
Johns Hopkins Blue Jays
Last playoff appearance: None
Last conference title: 2004, shared five ways
Head coach: Jim Margraff, 15th year, 85-53-3
Starters returning: 15 (four offense, nine defense, two special teams)
Position battle to watch: Offensive line where JHU has to replace graduated All Conference anchors Matt Weeks and Mike Speer.
Pressure is on: Junior wide receiver Anthony Triplin. Triplin’s four receiving touchdowns in 2004 helped complement senior Brian Wolcott’s eight. But with Wolcott lost to graduation, Triplin must step up his play as the go-to guy in the offense. These two combined for 12 receiving touchdowns in 2004 while the rest of the team accounted for four others. A solid start from Triplin should also open up some spots for youngsters to alleviate some of the pressure.
Their season will be defined by: Playing on the road. The Blue Jays face three of their toughest opponents in 2005 off the renovated Homewood Field’s surface — Hampden-Sydney, McDaniel, and Muhlenberg.
Predicted record: 7-3, 4-2
Capsule: Life in Baltimore has been good over the past three seasons, netting a 28-5 record but lacking an NCAA playoff appearance and plenty of time on the proverbial bubble. The addition of four more at-large berths could help Margraff's birds if only they got out of their own way. Two debilitating losses at home last season doomed the Jays' playoff aspirations, a 17-7 head-scratcher under the lights against Dickinson and a 9-6 loss against Muhlenberg in a battle of the kickers. The difference in the Dickinson loss was an uncanny four interceptions and two fumbles resulting in 14 Red Devils points. A win in either game would have given Hopkins their much-coveted chance in the big dance. Combined with the losses of two all-conference stars (three-time first-team defensive back Matt Campbell and two-time first-team running back Adam Cook), it is easy to think that JHU could once again end up on the outside looking in. They always seem to be just short of their playoff goal. Returning defensive starters Matt Hagel (106 tackles in 2004) and Brian Cook (11½ sacks in 2004) could have something to say about that.
posted by Pat McConnell | 12:51 PM
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