With the end of the regular season rapidly approaching, every game is key in the chase for playoff bids.
On Saturday, the John Carroll football team earned another vital win.
The Blue Streaks ripped off 42 consecutive points on the way to a 42-13 victory over Otterbein in Westerville, Ohio.
Ro Golphin rushed for 145 yards and three rushing touchdowns, adding a 19-yard receiving touchdown as well. Jake Schaefer completed 22-of-34 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns.
John Carroll improves to 8-1, and 7-1 in the OAC. Otterbein falls to 4-5, and 4-4 in conference play. A showdown with Mount Union at home next Saturday is set, with a conference title and playoff implications on the line.
JCU racked up 423 total yards on offense, allowing just 62 yards on the ground.
Despite the win, it was a tough first quarter for the Blue Streaks. After Mike Hollins blocked an Otterbein field goal with 8:30 to go in the quarter, Schaefer tossed an interception three plays later. Kevan Green found Logan Stepp for a 21-yard touchdown connection after the turnover, and John Pyles punched in a touchdown on a carry from three yards out on the first play of the second quarter.
JCU settled down on the next drive, moving 50 yards down the field, capped off with a 2-yard Stan Elad touchdown run. After an Andy Bryan interception gave them momentum, the Blue Streaks finished a four-play drive with a 2-yard Golphin score.
Otterbein went for it on fourth down on the following drive, and could not convert. It only took Golphin one play to silence the crowd. His 49-yard touchdown run gave JCU a 21-13 halftime lead.
Special teams plays haunted the Cardinals in the first half. The blocked field goal, combined with another missed attempt and a missed extra point were crucial errors.
After Otterbein failed to move the ball to start the second half, JCU took advantage. The Blue Streaks offense unleashed a methodical 12 play, 65-yard drive that chewed up nearly seven minute and ended with a 6-yard touchdown catch by Nico James. It gave John Carroll a 28-13 lead with 6:44 left in the quarter.
JCU added another score with a long, nine-play 74-yard drive that ended with a Golphin receiving touchdown with 12:31 on the clock in the fourth quarter. Twenty second later, Jared Donovan ended the Otterbein possession with an interception.
