FOREST, Va. – Randolph-Macon Football shocked #3 Johns Hopkins in a 28-21 home opening victory, led on defense by senior linebacker Matthew MacNichol (Roanoke Rapids, N.C./Roanoke Rapids).

The North Carolina native has been named ODAC Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the conference office. MacNichol led the defense with 17 total tackles, one being a tackle for loss and a pass break up. 

MacNichol recorded a career high with 17 tackles and led a group of three Yellow Jackets with double digit tackle totals. Jackson Hall (Richmond, Va./Benedictine) had 13 tackles and Zach Tyler (Mechanicsville, Va./Hanover) ended the day with 10 tackles.  

Randolph-Macon had three major turning point plays on defense against the Blue Jays. The score was tied at 14-14 in the third quarter with Johns Hopkins driving down the field. Jameson Britt (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) stopped JHU in the backfield on a fourth and inches, giving the ball back to the Lemon and Black. The turnover on downs led to the go-ahead touchdown by the Yellow Jackets. Late in the fourth quarter, the Yellow Jackets led 28-21, forcing another turnover on downs in large part to a Terrell Jones (Richmond, Va./Highland Springs) quarterback pressure. Randolph-Macon sealed the game with a Quentin Mankin (Dinwiddie, Va./Dinwiddie) interception with 1:54 left in the game.   
 
MacNichol and the defensive unit played a huge role in Randolph-Macon's upset victory over Johns Hopkins. 

The Lemon and Black will host Maryville (Tenn.) on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 12 p.m. on Day Field for Hall of Fame Weekend.