John Carroll football struck from the opening kickoff and never looked back, spoiling Muskingum's homecoming by a score of 31-3 in New Concord, Ohio on Saturday.
The John Carroll special teams unit got things going from the first whistle as
Ro Golphin opened the game with a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The 7-0 lead is all JCU would need, and the Blue Streaks would go on to score 28 of their 31 points in the first half.
The defense stifled Muskingum on the ground, holding Fighting Muskies rushers to just one net yard on 19 carries. It is the fifth time that an opponent has failed to reach 100 total yards rushing against JCU this season. Muskingum only recorded 117 total yards and did not convert one third down (0-for-13).
Jovon Dawson led the way for the Blue Streaks with five tackles (three for loss), and both
Dylan Hall and
Jimmy Thomas recorded sacks.
JCU has earned accolades for their own rushing prowess this season, but Saturday was a time for their freshman quarterback to shine.
Anthony Moeglin had an efficient performance, going 24-for-30 with 252 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. The John Carroll offense tallied 416 total yards, and averaged 5.9 yards per play. Eleven Blue Streak receivers were the beneficiaries of a diverse passing attack; each recorded a catch in the game.
Luke Vadas exploded for the Blue Streaks, catching six passes for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Eddie Williamson recorded five catches for 61 yards in the effort as well.
Moeglin recorded his first TD pass to Vadas on a 21-yard completion that capped off a 92-yard drive in the first quarter. JCu held the 14-0 advantage until Moeglin tossed his second to
Danny Disbrow at 10:48 in the second quarter.
Muskingum scored midway through the second on a Cody Dent field goal from 49 yards out, but JCU struck once more before the half on a one-yard Golphin TD run. All three JCU touchdown drives took ten or more plays and chewed up 60 or more yards. Golphin and
Sam Kukura finished the day with a combined 98 total yards and one touchdown on the ground.
John Carroll will host the Otterbein Cardinals on Nov. 5 for Senior Day. Kickoff scheduled for 1:30 pm.
