John Carroll defense paves way to win at Muskingum
Oct. 29—The John Carroll football team didn't look the sharpest its been this season, but on Oct. 29 at Muskingum the Blue Streaks did enough to come home with a 49-14 victory.
Now, it can concentrate on the game of the year in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
On Nov. 5 in Alliance, JCU (7-1, 7-0 in the OAC) and 8-0 and No. 2-ranked Mount Union face off in a game that will determine which team will be the conference champion.
To upset the Purple Raiders, the No. 25-ranked Blue Streaks will obviously need to be on in all three phases, especially on defense.
A steady dose of the defense's performance against the Muskies would be a nice start for Interim Coach Drew Nystrom and his staff.
Against Muskingum, the unit gave up yards in the first half but also made several game-changing plays.
The most significant was a pick-6 interception return by Josh McLean late in the second quarter that gave the Blue Streaks a 17-7 advantage.
John Carroll's Dohntay Williams is pumped during his team's 49-14 win at Wilmington on Oct. 29. (Doug Beigie ??
There were others. Keifer Askew recovered a fumble on Muskingum's first drive after Travis Roberson brought in a long pass. Elijah Chungu — who forced the Roberson fumble — then intercepted a pass that led to JCU's first TD, a 6-yard run by Mason Sullivan of Kirtland that made it 10-0. Sullivan (12 carries, 58 yards) added a second TD on a short run in the fourth quarter.
The Muskies (4-4, 3-4) made it a game at 10-7 in the second quarter when Jordan Garrett (19 of 27, 242 yards, two TD, two interceptions) threw a 3-yard TD to Marcus Paul.
They got the ball back again late in the second quarter but McLean's pick-6 stopped that momentum.
Despite down 20-7 on the scoreboard, Muskingum outgained the Blue Streaks in total yards, 182-173, in the first two quarters. By the end of the game, JCU regained the advantage in total yards, 381 to 280.
In the second half, JCU got TDs from running backs Demerius Goodwin (eight carries, 76 yards) on a 3-yard run and Evan McVay (16 carries, 47 yards) on a 4-yard run.
It appeared it also got its second pick-6 of the game when safety JonMarcus Roland took one to the house on Muskingum's first possession of the second half but the home team was called for a false start, which negated Roland's play.
Up 35-14 in the fourth quarter, the Blue Streaks left no doubt when QB Joe Collins connected with tight end Tadas Tatarunas of Mentor for a 6-yard TD. It was Tatarunas' fifth TD catch of the season. He finished the game with four receptions for 27 yards.
Collins was 17 of 24 passing for 170 yards and an interception. His TD pass was the 19th of the season for the senior QB.
Brennan Fugh had four receptions for 43 yards to lead JCU's receivers. Tyler Mintz of Kenston had three for 36 yards, and McVay added four for 35.
John Carroll at Mount Union
When: 1:30 p.m., Nov. 5
Where: Mount Union Stadium
Records: JCU 7-1, 7-0 OAC; Mount 8-0, 7-0 OAC
