Mark Elsassaer was one of JCU's few bright spots against Mount Union, as he set a school record for most kick return yardage in a single game
A fumble, an interception and a safety -- all of which happened in the first quarter -- would cause the John Carroll Blue Streaks to falter early in what became a 53-0 loss to top-ranked Mount Union this afternoon at Don Shula Stadium in University Heights, Ohio.
After receiving the opening kickoff, the Blue Streaks ran three plays before being forced to punt to the Purple Raiders. Starting from the JCU 47-yard line, Mount Union needed just three plays to score. On a third-and-four play, junior running back Nate Kmic broke lose for a 35-yard touchdown run to put the first points on the board with 12:51 remaining in the opening period.
JCU regained possession, but quickly turned the ball over again when a Blue Streak fumble gave the ball back to MUC at the JCU 23-yard line. The JCU defense was able to contain the Purple Raiders in the red zone, and limited the MUC to a 24-yard field goal by senior Mike Zimmerman at the 9:21 mark to make the score 10-0.
An interception by Blue Streak junior quarterback Mark Petruziello gave Mount Union the ball once again in John Carroll territory. This time, MUC's Greg Micheli called a quarterback draw and ran right into the end zone to put MUC up 17-0 with 4:48 remaining in the first quarter.
The rest of the first quarter resulted in more Purple Raider dominance, as the Blue Streaks could not put together a solid drive. Before the first quarter would end, a safety and a 65-yard touchdown pass from Micheli to senior Pierre Garcon would put Mount Union up 26-0.
Mount Union would go on to score three times in the second quarter, with a field goal and two touchdowns. John Carroll picked up only 25 offensive yards in the first half, compared to Mount Union's 342.
JCU would hold Mount Union to only ten points in the second half, but could not muster anything to counter the Purple Raiders' effort. Mount Union, which began the day ranked first in the nation in total offense and total defense, did nothing to harm those numbers. The Purple Raiders chewed up 543 yards on 80 offensive plays, and scored over 50 points for the sixth time in nine games this season.
Overall, the Blue Streaks had -2 yards in total offense for the game. On eof the lone positives was a school record set by sophomore Mark Elsaessar , who broke Carter Welo's mark for most kickoff return yardage in a game with 197.
With the loss, John Carroll falls to 5-4 overall, 4-4 in the OAC. Mount Union remains undefeated, with a 9-0 record overall and 8-0 in the OAC.
