Box Score In a game full of big plays and offensive fireworks, it was ironic that a one-yard quarterback sneak in the second overtime would be the game-winning touchdown.

The Blue Streaks scored on six of their first seven drives, but needed big plays late in the extra sessions to pull out a 47-41 victory over Otterbein in John Carroll's Homecoming Game at Don Shula Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Box Score

The Blue Streaks jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter, scoring early and often. Devin O'Brien ran a triple option keeper 56 yards on John Carroll's opening drive to put the home team ahead, 7-0, with 10:34 left in the first quarter. 

An inspired JCU defense forced three-and-outs on the Cardinals' first two possessions, and before Otterbein could muster any points, the Streaks added a one-yard touchdown plunge from junior Sean Kuenzig and a 29-yard field goal by freshman Kresimir Ivkovic.

With momentum firmly on John Carroll's side, Otterbein senior quarterback Austin Schlosser calmly led a nine play, 51-yard scoring drive, finishing with a 15-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Steve Kuzyk with 10:43 remaining until the half.

The Cardinals' momentum was short lived, however, as O'Brien responded with a touchdown scamper of 17 yards. 

With John Carroll set to get the ball first in the second half, Otterbein wound up getting an important score before the first half ended. Schlosser connected with Fairchild on an 18-yard scoring strike to cut the deficit to 27-13 heading into intermission.

Neither team scored in the third quarter, but the stage was set for a wild finish. 

The teams traded touchdowns to start the fourth period, before Schlosser and Otterbein took over.  First, he found Kuzyk open across the middle for a 17-yard touchdown.  Then, following a defensive stop, Schlosser tied the game at 34 with a 36-yard touchdown heave to sophomore Steven Carpenter with 1:01 on the clock.

61 seconds proved nary an obstacle for the Streaks offense. After a strong return by Lane Robilotto and a big catches from both Robilotto and Joe Quinzio, the Blue Streaks seemed in position to win the game either by scoring a field goal or even a touchdown. Poised at the Cardinals' 17-yard line,  JCU committed the game's only turnover on a fumbled exchange between O'Brien and center Luke Gogerty, which Otterbein recovered and the contest would head to overtime

Once in overtime, junior tight end Ben Madden joined in on the offensive fun with a 25-yard TD reception from O'Brien on a third-and ten play.  The Cardinals quickly responded with Schlosser's fifth touchdown pass of the game, a four-yard toss to Fairchild.

In the game's second (and final) overtime, John Carroll's defense stood tall, as it did not allow a first down and forced a 37-yard field goal try by Otterbein that sailed wide right.  Even though it needed only a field goal to win, John Carroll nearly won it with a touchdown on the first play after the failed kick. Anthony D'Aurizio rumbled 24 yards on first down to within inches of the goal line, setting up O'Brien's game winner two plays later.

The final score ignited a spirited celebration for the Blue Streaks, who avenged last season's 56-28 defeat at the hands of the Cardinals.

Statistically, heroes were in abundance for both teams. 

O'Brien led a John Carroll offense that racked up 597 yards of total offense, including 379 yards on the ground.  He finished the day with 23 carries for 196 yards and three rushing touchdowns, while completing 13-of-17 passes for 218 yards and another score. 

His favorite target wasRobilotto, who hauled in six balls for 109 yards, in addition to 69 yards on two spectacular punt returns.  Madden (2-35, 1 TD), Quinzio (2-51), Luke McCall (2-9), and Alex Kline (1-14) all contributed clutch receptions for the Blue Streaks.  Kuenzig (21 carries, 87 yards, 2 TDs), D'Aurizio (five carries, 54 yards), and freshman Domonic De La Riva (nine carries, 55 yards) all contributed to John Carroll's dominant running game, which topped last week's eye-popping numbers with 379 yards on the ground as part of a 597-yard total offense tally.

For Otterbein, Schlosser put on a brilliant performance, completing 20-of-34 passes for 353 yards and five touchdowns (zero interceptions).  Both Kuzyk and Fairchild went over 100 yards receiving and each caught a pair of touchdowns.  Cody Green eclipsed the century mark on the ground with 15 carries for 109 yards and a score.

Defensively, the Blue Streaks were led by junior lineman Dan Valore (eight tackles, one sack) and senior linebacker C.J. Seitzinger (eight tackles, a half sack, one pass break-up).

Linebacker Shane Centers had a busy day, leading the Cardinals with 17 tackles, including one for-a-loss.  Eric Mitchell added 11 tackles for the visitors.

With the Homecoming victory, John Carroll improves to 2-2 (2-1 in OAC) while Otterbein falls to 1-3 (0-3 in OAC).