Turnovers were the difference as the Muhlenberg football team fell to 22nd-ranked Johns Hopkins, 26-13.

The Mules (5-3, 3-2) turned the ball over four times and were dashed in their hopes of turning the Centennial Conference race into a virtual three-way tie for first place.

Muhlenberg came from behind twice. The Blue Jays (7-1, 4-0) took a 3-0 lead late in the first quarter, and the score stayed that way until late in the second quarter, when senior Joe Repetti hit senior Christopher Ardito with a 7-yard touchdown pass to give the Mules their first lead. Repetti's 96th career scoring strike capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive that began with a 37-yard completion to junior Matthew Manning.

Hopkins responded with a touchdown drive of its own and converted an interception into a field goal to take a 13-7 lead into the break.

Muhlenberg drove inside the Hopkins 10-yard line on its first possession of the second half but turned over the ball on a fumble. The defense came up with a stop, however, with junior Blaze Curry recording a sack on third down, and on the next drive Repetti ran in the end zone from 13 yards out, tying the school record for career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (24). The extra point was no good, leaving the game in a 13-all tie.

The Blue Jays scored on their ensuing drive to take a 20-13 lead, and the Mules' next two possession ended with a three-and-out and an interception.

Muhlenberg got the ball back at its own 37 with 1:03 remaining and drove to the Hopkins 32 before a pass attempt on the final play of the game was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.

Repetti threw for 213 yards, and in addition to tying the record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, he also broke the school record for career rushing yards by a quarterback, finishing with 63 to push his career total to 1,494.

Junior Amari Dunn surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for his career, gaining 30 to increase his career total to 1,027. Senior Timothy Buda returned from injury to catch 7 passes for 72 yards.

Junior Peyton Elliott led the defense with 11 tackles. In addition to Curry, seniors Keshon Davila and Andrew Franklin recorded sacks.

pictured above: Justin Bernal (40), Thomas Cerruti (58) and Isaac Schaffer-Neitz (25) combine for a stop in kickoff coverage.