On rivalry week, anything can happen. For John Carroll, it took another hard-nosed effort to win the Cuyahoga Gold Bowl. 

Arin Pruitt led the way, rushing 19 times for 114 yards and a touchdown as John Carroll defeated Baldwin Wallace, 17-14, in the 27th Cuyahoga Gold Bowl in Berea on Saturday. The victory was John Carroll's third consecutive over its crosstown rival, and gave the Blue Streaks their first lead in the overall series since 1954 (26-25-4)

After the opening kickoff went out of bounds, the Blue Streaks drove into Baldwin Wallace territory before turning it over on downs at the Yellow Jackets 38-yard line. Baldwin Wallace methodically moved the ball inside the Blue Streaks 20-yard line, but a Tyler Moeglin pass was picked off by Mike Hollins. 

A 53-yard rush by Arin Pruitt set up a 29-yard field goal from Jake Vivonetto opened the scoring with 4:09 left in the first quarter.

On the ensuing drive, Moeglin kept it himself from five years out and gave the Yellow Jackets a 7-3 lead. The touchdown capped off an eight play, 53 yard drive.

A second Blue Streaks turnover on downs in Baldwin Wallace territory gave the Yellow Jackets the ball at the 17. A stout defensive effort stunted the BW momentum with a three-and-out.

Late in the second quarter, the Blue Streaks had a third chance at the end zone. They would not be turned away. Schaefer tossed a four-yard pass to Jordan D'Orazio to give JCU a 10-7 halftime lead.

Pruitt rushed nine times for 90 yards in the first half. Schaefer tossed 12-of-24 for 89 yards and the score. Moeglin had 75 total yards and his rushing touchdown.

The Blue Streaks outgained the Yellow Jackets 219-123 in the first two quarters.

John Carroll drove right through the Yellow Jackets defense on their first drive of the second half. Mike Hippler caught a pass in the red zone and carried two BW defenders to the 3-yard line. After penalties on both teams, Pruitt punched in a touchdown on the goal line to finish an 11 play, 53 yard drive.

After a Schaefer interception late in the third, Baldwin Wallace took advantage. Moeglin moved his team down the field and then took it himself once again for the score. His 1-yard score on the first play of the fourth quarter cut the lead to three.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Blue Streaks offense stalled and had to punt. Kyle Rodriguez had perhaps the biggest special teams play of the day as his 43-yard punt pinned Baldwin Wallace inside their own 5-yard line.

Baldwin Wallace had their destiny in their hands on the final drive, but came up short on fourth down as the Blue Streaks defense finished off the Yellow Jackets.

Jake Schaefer threw for 143 yards and a touchdown in the contest.

Next up for John Carroll is their first home game against Ohio Northern next Saturday at 1:30.