Forgive Mike Hoyt and his McDaniel College football players if they seem a bit punchy today when the Green Terror host Johns Hopkins in the season finale.
One week ago, the Terror pulled out a thrilling victory at Susquehanna by scoring with 17 seconds to play and going for two rather than kick an extra point and tie the game. McDaniel gambled and won 43-42, snapping a 16-game road losing streak.
Hoyt, the Green Terror's second-year coach, said there was no doubt in his mind he was going for two if his offense scored on its final drive. The two-point conversion pass from quarterback Seth McFall was tipped near the line of scrimmage but hauled in by freshman Britton Hastings.
(A video clip of the play wound up on Bleacher Report, a popular sports website.)
McDaniel has been preparing this week for its season finale against the rival Blue Jays, who come to town sporting an undefeated record (9-0) and a Centennial Conference championship (8-0). But the Green Terror are still buzzing from last week's thrilling win.
"I think there's a lot of positives that we talked about after the game, and then we talked about more on Monday," Hoyt said. "I told the guys, 'We came from behind twice. On the road, on their Senior Day.' There were so many things that they did that showed maturity on their part, which a year ago I don't think that game goes the way it did."
The Green Terror (2-7, 2-6) are hoping this year's game against Hopkins turns out differently than last year's matchup, a 49-7 rout in which the Jays stamped McDaniel's first winless season since 1986.
Johns Hopkins, ranked 11th in the nation by d3football.com, with a playoff berth already secured, leads the Centennial Conference in multiple offensive categories. The biggest may be points per game (41.0), compared to McDaniel's defense giving up a conference-high 32.7 per game.
Blue Jays quarterback Robbie Matey has thrown for more than 2,000 yards this season and completes 73 percent of his passes, but Hoyt said he wouldn't be surprised if Hopkins turns to its running game today.
Sophomore Brandon Cherry has 932 rushing yards, third most in the Centennial, and scored three touchdowns last week (on 163 yards) in Hopkins' 45-30 win over Franklin & Marshall. It marked the Blue Jays' 500th all-time victory.
Hoyt said McDaniel hasn't fallen into the trap of worrying how difficult its opponent is on any given Satutrday.
"Let's continue to focus on ourselves," he said. "That's been a common theme all year. Week to week we see some improvements in some areas."
McFall took over for sophomore Ryan Yamada at quarterback last week, and Hoyt said he's slated to start again today. The junior completed 20 of 29 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns last week at Susquhanna, all three going to wideout Nick O'Melia (Francis Scott Key).
Rollins added a big day with two touchdowns and 182 rushing yards, which gives him 1,346 on the season to lead the conference. Today is Rollins' final game in a McDaniel uniform - he and 18 other Green Terror seniors are capping their careers on the Hill, and nine of them have been multiple-year starters.
That last two seasons haven't been pleasant, but Hoyt said he sees progress.
"I think a lot of the things that saw this year revolve directly around character," he said. "When things are tough and things aren't your way, you don't throw in the towel. You keep plugging away, day after day."
