box score
Thanks to a stifling defensive effort, John Carroll shook off a slow start on a windy Saturday afternoon in University Heights to roll to a 27-6 victory over the Muskingum Fighting Muskies.
The victory was John Carroll's sixth in a row at home dating back to last season.
John Carroll, was up against the wind to start off the game, did not score until midway through the second quarter. Head coach Regis Scafe said did have some effect on the Blue Streak offense.
"The wind was huge today," said Scafe. "In the second quarter we were finally able to put points on the board."
JCU looked to the foot of Josiah Kedzior for a 38-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter with 8:16 left to play in the half. Kedzior, who had missed an earlier attempt in the first quarter, came back with a solid kick through the post for a 3-0 lead.
The Blue Streaks would score again before the half thanks to a two-yard run into the end zone by Tyler Gingrich with under five minutes left. Gingrich's run capped a three-play, 36-yard drive that was set up by an interception return by Matt McDonald.
A fumbled snap on a punt near the end of the second quarter gave Muskingum a chance to score, but the defense actually forced a loss of yardage on the drive and the Muskies missed a 31-yard field goal into the wind in the final minute of the half.
"I think we shut them down for the most part," Scafe said. "We were worried about their team speed, but we had a good defensive plan. Whenever a team is looking for their first win, you have to know that they are going to come out hungry and I think our defensive played really good today."
The third quarter ended after another Kedzior field goal, this time from 32 yards back, that made the score 13-0. It was JCU quarterback Mark Petruziello who led the team to two more scoring drives in the fourth quarter. A 12-yard completion to receiver Frank Ross (seven completions for 64-yards) in a 65-yard, four play drive, made the score 20-0.
His second touchdown pass was to Peter Spachner on an 18-yard play which proved to be John Carroll's final score of the day.
Muskingum prevented a shutout late int he fourth quarter. After a fumbled punt return and subsequent personal foul on John Carroll, the Muskies only needed to cover 20 yards to score its first touchdown against the Blue Streaks since 2004. Marcus Boggs found Dwight Sutton for a four-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-goal play. The extra point was missed as it hit the crossbar.
The Blue Streaks defense only allowed Muskingum 157 offensive yards. Nadhal Eadeh had two sacks on the day for a total of 13 yards. Leading the defense in tackles was Michael Nettling with five solos for a total of 11 tackles. Ken Bevington and Eadeh each contributed with seven tackles a piece in their defensive efforts for Carroll.
Petruziello threw for 273 yards, completing 22-of-33 passes with two touchdowns. Spachner had seven receptions for 88 yards and the one touchdown.
JCU is 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the OAC with the win, while Muskingum falls to 0-7 overall and 0-6 in league play with the loss.
