John Carroll had its bid to remain perfect in the Ohio Athletic Conference end tantalizingly close to the end zone, as a goal-line stand by host Wilmington preserved a 24-16 victory over the Blue Streaks Saturday at Williams Field in Wilmington, Ohio. 

Box Score

Beginning the day with a 2-0 slate in league play and with a chance to go 3-0 for the first time since 2002, the Blue Streaks would be in a dogfight all day with the winless Quakers. In fact, the Blue Streaks never led at any point during the 60 minutes of game play.

Nevertheless, JCU still had a shot to extend the game beyond 60 minutes in the closing seconds. Trailing by eight points with 3:44 remaining, the Blue Streaks were able to drive down to the Wilmington goal line with less than a minute to play. 

On third and goal, Kenneth Owens (Cleveland, OH, Shaker Heights) was stopped inches short of the goal line, and then a false start on a fourth-and-goal play followed by an incomplete pass ended JCU's final chance.

The Blue Streaks could look back at many missed opportunities, starting with the opening drive of the game. JCU marched 62 yards in 14 plays, only to have the march stall at the Wilmington 11-yard line. A 28-yard field goal attempt was no good, leaving the Streaks empty handed.

JCU then created opportunities for Wilmington, as a pair of interceptions led to Wilmington's first 14 points. The Quakers turned the first into a nine-play, 57-yard drive culminating with a Billy Blackburn six-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Stuckey.

The second pick led to a nine-play 43-yard drive that staked the Quakers a 14-0 lead with 1:16 left to play in the opening half.

The Blue Streaks were able to get on the board just before the end of the half as Jeffrey Javorek (Chesterland, OH, West Geauga) found reciever Frank Ross (Canfield, OH, Canfield)  for a 19 yard strike. 

The Quakers became the third team in as many weeks to take the opening kickoff of the second half and march downfield for a touchdown. The Quakers used 11 plays to traverse 73 yards to take a 21-7 lead.

John Carroll answered with a 34-yard Bradley Marchese (Columbus, OH, Saint Charles Prep)  field goal but JCu still trailed 21-10 at the end of the third quarter.

The Streaks then added another touchdown as Javorek scampered from one yard out to close the gap to, 21-16. the Streaks attempted a two-point conversion but failed.

Wilmington would try to answer with a drive that reached the Blue Streaks' 31-yard line, but a fumble would give John Carroll life. However, on the very next play, JCU fumbled it right back, setting up the Quakers for a 23-yard field goal by Aaron Pohly to put the Quakers ahead 24-16 with less than four minutes to play.

Wilmington (1-3, 1-2 OAC), which converted three turnovers into 17 of its 24 points, was led by Marc Otte, who gained 128 yards on 19 carries  Blackburn was 18-of-26 for 132 yards and two touchdowns. 

John Carroll (2-2, 2-1 OAC) was led by Javorek, who finished the day with 274 yards and one touchdown. Chris Esparza (Tampa, FL, T.R. Robinson) was the top target withs even catches for 51 yards.

JCU bested Wilmington in first downs 21-19 and in total yards, 359-343, but lost the turnover battle 3-1.