The Muhlenberg football team overcame two 14-point deficits only to fall to Johns Hopkins, 34-28, on the final play of the game.

Both teams came into the game undefeated and ranked in the top 20 in the American Football Coaches Association Division III poll. The loss snapped a nine-game winning streak for the Mules (7-1, 4-1).

The game was tied 28-28 when the Blue Jays (8-0, 4-0) lined up to attempt a 31-yard field goal with 3 seconds left. The ball was kicked low and into the line, and since it did not pass the line of scrimmage, the kicking team retained the ability to advance the ball. A Johns Hopkins player scooped up the ball and ran into the end zone for a touchdown to bring a stunning end to the game.

The unusual ending was the last of many twists and turns in a game that lived up to its billing.

Hopkins put together long drives on each of its first two possessions to take a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter. Muhlenberg responded to the second one with a 91-yard drive of its own that featured completions of 18, 22 and 31 yards from junior Joe Repetti to senior James Nye. Repetti finished off the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run.

After the defense forced a three-and-out, the Mules tied the game with another touchdown drive capped by a 1-yard sneak by Repetti.

The second half started with a long drive by Muhlenberg deep into Hopkins territory, but the possession ended with an interception. The teams combined for three turnovers in a stretch of five plays, and the Blue Jays eventually drove down the field to take a 21-14 lead. 

Hopkins added another touchdown later in the third quarter to open up a 14-point lead for the second time. 

Again the Mules came back. An apparent touchdown was called back by a pass interference penalty early in the fourth quarter, and Muhlenberg was stopped on downs at the Hopkins 20. But the defense held and forced a short punt, andd Repetti hit senior Ian Csicsek (pictured above) with a 3-yard touchdown pass to bring the Mules to within a touchdown.

Another three-and-out by the defense set Muhlenberg up near midfield with 3:54 remaining. A 28-yard run by Repetti got the Mules within striking distance, and two plays later Repetti drilled a 24-yard pass to senior Timothy Buda in the end zone. Graduate student Alex Garrido converted the extra point to tie the score.

There were more dramatics in store. The Blue Jays appeared to have taken the lead on a 75-yard run, but the touchdown was negated by an illegal downfield block. On the next play, senior Owen Kovacs recorded an interception to give the ball to Muhlenberg with 2:16 left.

An interception two plays later, however, gave the ball back to Hopkins and set the stage for the crazy finish.

Repetti finished with 285 yards passing and also rushed for a team-leading 77 yards. Buda caught a career-high six passes and scored a touchdown for the third straight game.

Senior Tyler Ekstrom led the defense with 13 tackles, including two tackles for loss, and also recovered a fumble. Kovacs added a sack and a third-down pass breakup to his pick.