Bullets Blanked 52-0 by Johns Hopkins
Gettysburg was blanked 52-0 last weekend (Photo Claire Bickers / The Gettysburgian)
By Charlie Williamson, Staff Writer
The Gettysburg College Football team (2-5, 2-4 CC) was shutout this past weekend at Johns Hopkins, losing 52-0. The loss was largest deficit the Bullets has suffered this season and a rare blowout against the Bullets considering their largest loss this season was by 7 points prior to this game. Since losing their first game in 5 years in Centennial play three weeks ago, Hopkins has outscored opponents 97-7.
Johns Hopkins scored touchdowns on two of their first three possessions, however, at the start of the second quarter, senior co-captain Andrew Major blocked his fourth career field goal, which ties the program’s all- time record.
The Bullets were held to one pass completion in the first half, while Johns Hopkins closed out the half with two other scores to make it 28-0 at the half.
Opening the third quarter, the Blue Jays tied a program record with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Patrick Kelly.
With 5 minutes left in the third quarter, Senior Frank Olmo recovered a fumble at midfield, however, they were unable to capitalize as the Blue Jays defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing possession.
Johns Hopkins capped the score at 52-0 with a 10 minute, 16-play drive that results in a 34-yard field goal by Jamie Sullivan.
Junior Jake Skinner racked up a game-high 16 tackles. Also, junior Mike McKnight put up 8 tackles and also broke up two pass attempts. The two pass break-ups mean that McKnight is now one break-up short of tying the Gettysburg single-season record of 16 set by Andy Baribeau ’96 in 1995.
“We just didn’t make plays, offensively and defensively. They made what seemed like infinite amounts and the score definitely shows that,” Skinner said.
Skinner also said that the team’s goal is to keep opponents to less than 30% conversion percentage on 3rd down. On 3rd down, Johns Hopkins was 13 for 22.
Regardless of the loss, Skinner and fellow teammate, junior Nick Rella, said that the goal for the end of this season is to win out.
“I think we need to execute at all levels of the game on a consistent basis,” said junior Chase Fee.
“We can use this game to get better from here and look at what we have to improve on for the upcoming week,” Fee explained.
Overall, Gettysburg’s offense recorded 137 total yards compared to 607-yard outburst. Gettysburg recorded 100 yards on the ground thanks to quarterbacks senior Justin Davidov and first-year Matt Harris, and first-year running back Reggie Jean Charles.
“With Coach Streeter retiring, I think our mindset is to make his last season the best season he has [had],” said senior Ryan Thompson. “Regardless of our finishing record we want coach Streeter to have the best last few weeks of his career.”
Thompson, Skinner, and Rella all echoed that despite the crushing loss, the team has to stay positive and do what they can day in and day out to make sure that the team finishes the season out strong.
Gettysburg’s remaining three games will be against Susquehanna, Muhlenberg, and Franklin & Marshall. The loss means Gettysburg is mathematically eliminated from taking the top seed, however, they can still spoil F&M’s chances at a title with a win in the last game of the season.
The Bullets play at home next against Susquehanna in front of a large home crowd for Family Weekend.
