ASHLAND, Va. – Randolph-Macon bounced back in a huge way in its home opener, defeating #3 Johns Hopkins for the first win of the 2026 season.
The Basics
Score: Randolph-Macon 28, Johns Hopkins 21
Venue: Ashland, Va. / Randolph-Macon College / Day Field
Records: Randolph-Macon (1-1, 0-0 ODAC); Johns Hopkins (1-1, 0-0 CC)
How it Happened
- Johns Hopkins started the game with the ball and got two first downs before having to punt the ball to the Yellow Jackets. The Blue Jays found themselves behind the sticks with a holding penalty that put a stop to their drive.
- The Lemon and Black moved the ball down the field in 12 plays and Mitchell Johnson (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) would cap off the drive with a 28 yard rushing touchdown. Randolph-Macon struck first and led 7-0 with 4:13 left in the first quarter.
- Johns Hopkins answered back with a long 17 play touchdown drive that took almost nine minutes off the clock. Luke Baker found Jaeger Krauss in the back of the endzone for a three yard touchdown. The Blue Jays used the 77 yard drive to tie up the game at 7-7 with 10:30 left in the first half.
- Later in the second quarter, Randolph-Macon drove the ball into JHU territory and looked to take the lead before halftime. Jake Mulhern (Nokesville, Va./Kettle Run) was intercepted by Kevin Olah in the red zone to stop a potential touchdown drive by the Lemon and Black.
- The Blue Jays took advantage of the RMC mistake, driving right down the field for the go-ahead touchdown with seven seconds left in the half. Baker tossed his second touchdown pass of the half, this time to Robby Enright for an eight yard score. Johns Hopkins used the late touchdown to carry a 14-7 lead into halftime.
- Randolph-Macon received the ball coming out of the halftime break, driving 76 yards in 10 plays for the game-tying touchdown. Detric Brown (Winchester, Va./Millbrook) finished the almost six minute drive with a three yard rushing score.
- The Blue Jays had another score in mind to potentially take the lead back in the game. Johns Hopkins was faced with a fourth and inches in Yellow Jacket territory. Cooper Powell was stopped in the backfield by Jaylen Jordan (Fredericksburg, Va./Riverbend) to turn the ball back over to the RMC offense.
- The turnover by JHU swung momentum over to the Lemon and Black. Malakiah Moore (Henrico, Va./Varina) had a 37 yard run, Johnson added a 20 yard rush and set up the Yellow Jackets inside the 10 yard line. Johnson gave Randolph-Macon the lead with his second rushing touchdown of the day. The Lemon and Black would take the 21-14 lead with 3:14 left in the third quarter.
- Johns Hopkins answered the call with another long drive, as Baker found Krauss in the endzone and tied up the game at 21-21 with 13:17 left in regulation.
- The big plays kept coming for the Lemon and Black, as Mulhern hooked up with Quinten Jones (Blue Ridge, Va./Lord Botetourt) for 61 yards to begin the ensuing drive. Devin Bryant (Manchester, Va./Midlothian) finished off the drive with a nine yard touchdown run and swung the lead back to RMC at 28-21 with 11:47 on the clock.
- Randolph-Macon came up big on defense in the next two drives, forcing a punt, a turnover on downs and protected its lead. Quentin Mankin (Dinwiddie, Va./Dinwiddie) put a bow on the game, picking off Baker with less than 2:00 minutes left in the game.
- The Yellow Jackets bounced back in a huge way, defeating national power Johns Hopkins 28-21.
By The Numbers
- Randolph-Macon outrushed the Blue Jays 240-to-114 in the game.
- The Yellow Jackets compiled 360 of total offense, compared to the 332 yards Johns Hopkins piled up.
- Johnson led the offense by rushing for 124 yards on 15 carries and scored twice.
- Moore and Bryant combined for 87 yards on the ground for the Lemon and Black.
- Mulhern went 6-of-8 for 99 yards for the Lemon and Black.
- Jackson Hall (Richmond, Va./Benedictine) finished the game with 11 tackles and also two tackles for losses.
- Matthew MacNichol (Roanoke Rapids, N.C./Roanoke Rapids) led the defense in tackles with 14 overall.
- Jaelen Penson-Weaver (Chesterfield, Va./Matoaca) had himself a day with nine tackles overall.
- Mankin recorded the only interception for the Yellow Jackets and added eight tackles to his line.
For the Record
- This win is believed to be the highest ranked opponent that the Lemon and Black have defeated in program history.
Up Next
Randolph-Macon will stay at home to welcome Maryville on Sept. 19 at 12:00 p.m.
