It was at times brilliant, at times unaesthetic, but at all times under control as the John Carroll football team slugged out a 26-3 victory over St. Vincent College.

Saturday's non-conference game that was the 2015 season opener for both squads Saturday afternoon featured a little bit of everything at Chuck Noll Field in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. There were big plays throughout for the Blue Streaks, and even a 30-minute lightning delay was thrown in for good measure.

A scoreless first quarter gave way to a 20-point second for the Blue Streaks, who scored on the first play after switching sides of the field. On a third down and goal play, Jake Schaefer found Jordan D'Orazio in the back right corner of the end zone to put the visitors on the scoreboard.

Already up 7-0, JCU scored on a big play that seemed innocuous at first. A simple swing pass from Schaefer to Arin Pruitt turned into a 49-yard touchdown play. The extra point try glanced off the left post, hoever, leaving the score 13-0 with 10:52 left in the opening half.

John Carroll added a third touchdown in the second period, as Schaefer hit Marshall Howell for a 23-yard strike. Howell outlept two defenders in the right corner of the end zone for his first touchdown catch of the day.

St. Vincent put its only points up on the board less than five minutes into the third quarter. Taking advantage of a poor punt and two 15-yard defensive penalties, Steve Schere punched through a 20-yard field goal to make the score 20-3.

Shortly thereafter, the game was halted as a severe thunderstorm was close enough to the stadium to warrant evacuation. Although the storm never reached Latrobe, it ultimately proved good timing for John Carroll and bad for the Bearcats.

Whatever momentum was gained was soon lost, as John Carroll would tack on a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter -- a second Schaefer to Howell hook up, this time from six yards out. The PAT was blocked, leaving the score at 26-3, which would be the final.

The John Carroll defense did not cause any turnovers, but did limit St. Vincent to three points and 204 yards of total offense, and produced six sacks. Dylan Hall had two of those six sacks.

The special teams unit also provided big plays with two blocked punts, the first of which set up John Carroll's first touchdown.

Schaefer was 23-36 for 271 yards with four touchdowns and one interception in his first start. Howell was the favorite target with 137 yards on 11 catches and two touchdowns. Pruitt was John Carroll's top rusher with 66 yards on 16 carries. He also had five catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.

John Carroll, now 1-0, will have a bye week before travelling to Tiffin, Ohio, to take on Heidelberg University on Sept. 19 at 2:00 p.m. Game coverage details will be available at jcusports.com.