Following a very successful season, the No. 9 John Carroll University football team earned an at-large bid on Sunday for the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Streaks (9-1) will host for the first time in program history and will take on No. 25 St. John Fisher (8-2) at noon on Saturday inside Don Shula Stadium.

John Carroll, who will be making just its fourth postseason appearance in school history, advances to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002, a year in which then-quarterback Tom Arth helped guide the Blue Streaks to the national semifinals.

"I'm very excited to have the opportunity to represent John Carroll in the playoffs," said Arth. "It's a great honor and a great accomplishment. It's something we take very seriously and realize the opportunity doesn't come around a whole lot. We are very fortunate to have this opportunity and we look forward to making the most of it."

JCU who jumped out to just the second 9-0 start in school history, climbed the ranks and became the talk of the Division III world as the season progressed. The Blue Streaks combined a high-octane offense, stifling defense and lights out special teams play rewriting numerous school records along the way.

 "We're going to continue doing the same things we've been doing," said Arth. "We think we have a really good plan with the way we practice, the way we prepare and we have to stay to it. We have to make sure we stay focused on the things that got us here."

"I've been really jazzed by all of you," said John Carroll University President Rev. Robert L. Niehoff, S.J. "Time and time again this year it's been a real pleasure to watch you, see how hard you work and to see that pay off not only for you but for John Carroll."

St. John Fisher enters the tournament with an 8-2 record. After two straight losses to Salisbury and Ithaca, the Cardinals won their last three games. St. John Fisher scored 41 points in the second quarter yesterday to beat Alfred in Courage Bowl IX.

The Cardinals last advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2011 advancing to the quarterfinals before bowing out 45-10 to the University of St. Thomas.

Prior to 2002 John Carroll also advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 1989 and 1997.

The will be the first meeting in football between the two programs.

Ticket information and further details will be released on jcusports.com when it becomes available.