Box Score

John Carroll University made a key stop late in the contest on a two-point conversion that proved to be the difference in a 17-15 triumph over Heidelberg College Saturday afternoon in an Ohio Athletic Conference match-up staged at Don Shula Stadium in University Heights, Ohio.

It was Homecoming weekend at John Carroll, but early on it was Heidelberg looking to spoil the party. After a missed field goal that thwarted John Carroll's opening drive, the Student Princes marched 80 in 14 plays to put the first points up on the scoreboard. The drive was capped by a 19-yard pass from Andrew Miller to a wide open Dawond Roddy.

The extra point was missed, however, due to a botched snap, and the score would remain 6-0. It would be a play that loomed large later in the game.

The Blue Streaks would answer on the next drive, as Josiah Kedzior would connect on a 27-yard field goal to pull the home team to within three points at 6-3 with 1;31 left in the opening quarter.

Scoring was scarce in the second quarter, as the only seven points tallied were credited to the Blue Streaks. The scoring play was an eight-yard run by quarterback Mark Petruziello hat was set up by a fumble on a punt return caused by Matt Harmon and recovered by Luke Whitworth. John Carroll would take a 10-6 lead into the locker room.

After the two teams traded punts to open the third quarter, the Student Princes would put together an impressive drive. It took seven plays for Heidelberg to move from its own 34-yard line to the John Carroll one-yard line.

In what was one of the most important three-play stretches of the game, John Carroll would deny the 'Berg from reaching paydirt. A stuffed inside run, an incomplete pass on a roll out, and a Kyle McClear tackle that turned a sweep into a two-yard loss would force Heidelberg into a field goal attempt. Instead of seven points, the Student princes settled for three off the foot of Jesse Hawkins as his 20-yard field goal cut the JCU lead to 10-9.

Energized by the defensive stand, John Carroll's offense would take the ensuing kickoff and drive 65 yards in five plays for a touchdown that raised the lead to 17-9. Rebere Sparks caught a five-yard pass from Petruziello for the six points, while Kedzior added the extra point.

The teams traded punts once again, and Heidelberg would take over at its own 27-yard line with 10:56 to play in the fourth quarter. Using 18 plays and converting four third downs and one fourth down along the way, the Student Princes would post a touchdown with 3:13 left to pull to within two points at 17-15. Miller found Lucas Bauer down the middle on a third-and-goal play from the five-yard line for the score.

In the biggest play of the game, Heidelberg went for two points, but a big hit by Doug Mayer and Ken Bevington at the goal line stoped Miller short of a successful conversion run.

Heidelberg kicked the ball away, but would never get possession back as John Carroll ran out the clock.

John Carroll (2-1, 1-1 OAC) gained 281 yards on the day thanks to a big day from Petruziello, who was 17-23 for 186 yards passing. he had one touchdown passing and another running. Mark Elsassaer led JCU in rushing with three carries for 45 yards, but had to leave the game with an undisclosed injury late in the first quarter.

Sparks (6-61) and Frank Ross (6-65) both had six receptions and a combined 126 yards receiving in serving as Petruziello's favorite targets.

Michael Nettling was the leading tackler for the Blue Streaks with 12 stops.

Heidelberg (1-2, 0-2 OAC) was paced a game-high 74 yards rushing from Kenny Sims. Miller finished with 185 yards and two touchdowns on 18-29 passing.

Matt Grieves had 12 tackles, including three for losses of 20 yards for the Student Princes.