Considering the way the last two games against Muskingum had ended, John Carroll wanted nothing to do with any drama in the closing seconds.

This time around, a long and time consuming touchdown drive in the fourth quarter by the Blue Streaks netted JCU its first road victory of 2010. Corey Castro's one-yard scoring plunge with two minutes remaining in regulation provided the margin of victory in a 24-17 triumph at McConagha Stadium in New Concord, Ohio.

Box Score

Muskingum had tied the game at 17-17 when Jake Burns scored on a two-yard run at the 8:19 mark of the final period. John Carroll took over on its own 38-yard line and marched 62 yards in 11 plays. The Blue Streaks converted three third down plays on the drive, the biggest of which was a 19-yard completion from Devin O'Brien to DaQuan Grobsmith on a third-and-nine play from near midfield.

Grobsmith had another big play on the drive, an 11-yard run that set up Castro's clincher from the one-yard line.

John Carroll had lost to Case Reserve and Otterbein in its first two road game this year, and had lost two consecutive games to Muskingum that ended in heartbreaking fashion -- a15-14 setback in 2008 that ended on a 28-yard field goal with 11 seconds left, and a 34-31 loss in 2009 that slipped through JCU's fingers on a "Hail Mary" pass as time expired.

The 2010 contest began with a scoreless first quarter, but Muskingum drew first blood early in the second quarter on a 22-yard field goal by Caleb Carpenter.

The Blue Streaks answered with a 69-yard scoring drive that ended when Teree Harris found the end zone on a three-yard run. Brad Marchese's extra point was good, and JCU led 7-3 with 10:57 left before half.

The Muskies looked to seize control when Burns scored on a 30-yard touchdown run, and then recovered a fumble at midfield and used one play to get near the red zone.

Perhaps the biggest play in the game happened next, as Emmett Lydon forced a fumble from Tony Pellegrino that was recovered by fellow Blue Streak linebacker C.J. Seitzinger. As a result, John Carroll trailed by only three at the half, 10-7.

The Blue Streaks rode that change of momentum by scoring on their first two drives of the second half. Marchese finished off the first with a 20-yard field goal to tie the score at 10-10, and -- benefitting from a 50-yard completion from O'Brien to Ben Madden -- Grobmith scored on a nine-yard run with 26 econds left in the third quarter to put John Carroll back on top.

John Carroll (3-3, 3-2 OAC) was led by its ground game, as O'Brien gained 112 yards and Grobsmith added 96 yards. Castro (42) and Harris (19) contributed to an effort that churned out 269 yards and three touchdowns on 46 carries.

Seitzinger led the defense with 14 tackles and the fumble recovery, while Lydon added ten stops that included his forced fumble.

Muskingum (3-3, 2-3 OAC) was led by Burns, who gained 103 yards on the ground and 147 through the air.