Box Score

Turnovers and a lack of big plays plagued the John Carroll University football team Saturday afternoon, as the Blue Streaks were handed their second straight Ohio Athletic Conference setback in a 21-7 loss to Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio.

One week removed from a heartbreaking defeat to Baldwin Wallace, JCU was unable to regroup and make the two hour road trip to Otterbein a successful one. 

Playing without starting quarterback Mark Myers (injury), the Blue Streak offense struggled to move the ball, and more importantly, to hold on to it.  Four three-and-out possessions and three lost fumbles prohibited JCU from keeping up with the Cardinals.

John Carroll got on the board early, traveling 57 yards on eight plays behind senior quarterback Michael Locke to take the initial lead on an 18-yard touchdown run by Sean Kuenzig.  Kresimir Ivkovic tacked on the extra point to put the Streaks up 7-0 with 8:05 left in the first.

That drive would account for all of JCU's scoring in the game.

Otterbein picked up touchdowns in the first and second quarter on a pair of runs by quarterback Aaron Kingcade (five and 13 yards) to take the 14-7 halftime advantage.

Neither team scored in the third quarter, and a 69-yard touchdown pass from Kingcade to Steven Carpenter in the fourth put the game away for the Cardinals.

The Blue & Gold defense allowed just 285 yards (47 rushing), but could not generate any turnovers.  Linebacker Kevin Cope led JCU with 13 tackles (12 solo), and defensive lineman Frank Pines had two sacks.

Offensively, Locke finished 10-of-21 for 109 yards, while sophomore Wes Keller added six completions in 13 attempts for 71 yards.  DaQuan Grobsmith ran 19 times for 69 yards to lead the running game, and Lane Robilotto caught four passes for 58 yards.

For the Cardinals, Kingcade completed 15-of-24 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown.  His favorite target was Carpenter, who hauled in five throws for 129 yards and a score.

With the loss, John Carroll drops to 1-2, 0-2 in the OAC while Otterbein stays perfect at 3-0, 2-0 in league play.