Mark Petruziello (#9) had a near perfect passing day that resulted in an NCAA record for completion percentage
Box Score
Mark Petruziello tossed five touchdowns passes and set an NCAA Division III record for single game pass completion percentage as John Carroll broke away from a 7-7 tie with 34 unanswered points to defeat Thomas More, 41-14, in the season opener for both teams played at Dixie Heights High School in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.
It was a banner day for Petruziello, as he was 21-22 for 242 yards passing, and he was also the team's leading rusher with 56 yards on eight carries. The .955 completion percentage breaks the record of .913 set by Chris Esterley of St. Thomas vs. St. Olaf on September 23, 1995 (Esterly was 21 of 23) and Mitch Tanney of Monmouth vs. Knox on November 5, 2005 (Tanney was also 21 of 23)
The scoring opened when JCU capitalized on a Thomas More turnover deep in its own territory. Blue Streak linebacker Derek Buell forced a fumble that was recovered by Michael Nettling.
It took just three plays to cover 21 yards, capped by a Petruziello pass to Peter Spachner from two yards out that put the first points on the board.
Thomas More answered on its very next drive, covering 66 yards in 11 plays. Behind the rushing of Anthony Knott, who had rushes of 20 and 10 yards as part of the drive, the Saints faced just one third down in tying up the score. The scoring play was a Cordario Collier four-yard touchdown run.
From that point on, it was all John Carroll. Josh Rentz would catch a touchdown throw from Petruziello with 3:46 to play in the opening quarter to cap a 56-yard, five play drive. It was the first career touchdown for Rentz.
The Blue Streaks then scored twice in the second quarter to blow the game open. Petruziello found Scottie Williams for a four-yard touchdown strike midway through the period, then drove JCU 69 yards in seven plays in the final minutes for the backbreaker. With 48 seconds left before the half, Petruziello connected with Frank Ross for a 19-yard touchdown pass that gave the Blue Streaks a 28-7 advantage at the intermission.
JCU would increase its lead to 35-7 when Williams caught his second touchdown pass of the day, this time covering 35 yards.
Josiah Kedzior, who was a perfect 5-5 in point after tries, added two field goals – one at the end of the third quarter from a distance of 22 yards, the second from 26 yards away midway through the fourth – to complete the scoring for John Carroll.
Thomas More added a late touchdown with just over four minutes to play when Collier scored for the second time on the afternoon.
Petruziello accounted for 298 yards of total offense on the day, which was a large part of the 449 yards amassed by the Blue Streaks. Williams was the top receiving target, catching a career-best eight passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns.
Thomas More had 250 yards on the day, but just 103 in the decisive first half, and 66 of those yards came on the one scoring drive. JCU's defense forced on turnover and allowed just four first downs after the touchdown the remainder of the opening half.
Knott led the Saints with 47 yards rushing, while Trevor Stellman was 14-25 for 114 yards passing.
