Not unlike the beginning, the end was quite forgetable. But in between, the Lebanon Valley College football team made memories.
On Saturday in Baltimore, Maryland, the Flying Dutchmen’s eventful season ended with a 44-14 loss to Johns Hopkins in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl. The Blue Jays employed a high-powered passing game to pile up 583 yards of total offense.
With the game tied at seven apiece in the first quarter, Johns Hopkins nailed LVV tailback Ben Guiles in the end zone for a safety. The play proved to be a turning point, as the Blue Jays scored a pair of touchdowns before the half was out and went to the locker room with a 23-7 advantage.
The loss ended Lebanon Valley’s campaign at 6-5 overall. Lebanon Valley had won its final five regular-season contests to qualify for its second consecutive bowl game.
The Flying Dutchmen’s senior class of 2011 finished their careers tied for the most wins by a class in program history. Johns Hopkins improved to 8-3.
In the third quarter, the Blue Jays continued what they started in the first half and ultimately opened a 44-7 bulge. Brendan Riley scored both LVC toucdowns on catches of Caleb Fick aerials.
On the strength of 32-for-38 passing, 443 yards and four touchdowns, Johns Hopkins quarterback Hewitt Tomlin was named the game’s outstanding player. LVC defensive end and Palmyra product Zach Bleiler recorded a sack in the game to set a new school standard for sacks in a season with 12.5.