In a game that featured nearly 1,000 yards of total offense, Johns Hopkins defeated Gettysburg, 52-35, before 1,231 at Homewood Field last night.

The teams combined for 934 yards of total offense and their 87 points set a Centennial Conference record, beating the 86 produced in a 65-21 Gettysburg win over Muhlenberg on Oct. 26, 1985.

"We're just so happy that we're so productive on offense," said Hopkins coach Jim Margraff, whose team gained 511 yards of offense.

In his first extensive action after injuring his ankle in the preseason, the Blue Jays' Paul Gentile accounted for a career-high 208 yards of offense, including a career-high 176 rushing yards.

Gentile's third and final touchdown -- a 2-yard run with 4: 41 left in the third quarter -- gave Johns Hopkins (3-1, 2-0) a 38-28 lead.

Gettysburg's Jeff Closz caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Dennis Flaherty to cut the lead to 38-35 with 1: 49 left in the third.

The Bullets (1-3, 1-2) had a chance to take the lead early in the fourth quarter, but Hopkins stopped them and drove 58 yards on eight plays, culminating in Wayne Rocchia's 7-yard touchdown pass to Justin Bellochio.

(Summary, 9C)

Pub Date: 10/03/98