The 57th game between John Carroll and Baldwin Wallace once again went down to the final possession on Saturday afternoon on the Berea, OH, campus. 

BW took over its final opportunity on its own 20-yard line following a JCU punt into the end zone with 1:36 to play in the game.  After a 24-yard surprise pass play from BW junior receiver Ty Gallo to junior QB Jake Hudson down the left sideline, JCU sophomore DL Tyler Frederick sacked Hudson for an 8-yard loss setting the stage for junior DB Mike Connick's game-saving interception of a Hudson pass at the JCU 30-yard line with :59 seconds to play.

"I worked on weaving all week in practice, "Connick said.  "I saw the ball go up and thankfully I got there in time." Connick has worked his way onto the field after starting the season 4th on the depth chart.

"It was a great catch," Head Coach Rick Finotti pointed out.  "The pass was outside the numbers (on the field) and he still made the play."

Sophomore QB Anthony Moeglin was efficient, completing 19-of-34 passes for 222 yards and a TD.  "We knew it was a rivalry game and we were going to get their best effort," Moeglin stated.  "We came out hot and dominated, but they hit a couple big plays.  Our main goal was to not turn it over.    We didn't, and they had two turnovers."

BWU took the opening kickoff but Jordan Leverette muffed the ball two yards deep in the end zone and could only get out to the 6-yardline.  The Blue Streaks defense forced a three-and-out, and Dominic Lombardi's 32-yard punt set up JCU on the BWU 40-yardline.

On JCU's first possession, senior running back Ro Golphin scored on a 4-yard run around left end to cap the 48-yard drive – including a JCU holding penalty --  in 7 plays. Junior placekicker Matt Danko's PAT made it 7-0 just 4:51 into the game.

One play -- and three seconds -- into the 2nd quarter, JCU made it 14-0 when senior RB Stan Elad bulled his way in from the 1-yardline.  The 70-yard drive in 8 plays was highlighted by sophomore QB Anthony Moeglin's 11-yard slant to senior wide receiver Eddie Williamson on a 3rd-and-8 from the BW 23-yardline.  Junior running back Sam Kukura added 25 yards in 4 carries.  Kukura was the team's leading rusher, powering his way to 69 yards on 13 carries.

"We had four or five good backs," Kukura noted.  "We wanted to keep fresh backs in the game.  You have to run the rock to be successful."

BW made it 14-6 on a 33-yard pass play from sophomore wide receiver Will Vance (playing QB) to sophomore TE Pat Orsini.  The PAT was blocked.

Senior receiver William Woods answered on a 14-yard pass in the left flat from Moeglin to boost JCU to its largest lead of 21-6 after Danko's PAT.  That drive covered 80 yards in 8 plays in 3:50.

With 23 seconds left in the 1st half, on 2nd-and-9, senior Austin Smith raced up the middle for 70 yards and a TD, making it 21-13 at halftime.

The Yellow Jackets tied the game with 4:30 to play in the 3rd quarter on another long play; this one a 78-yard long pass and run from Hudson to junior receiver Rob Wolfington.  BW completed the two-point conversion on a pass from holder  John Kromalic to Sekou Imani, who is listed as a defensive lineman.

The winning 21-yard field goal by Danko came with 9:07 left in the game, on a drive covering 57 yards in 13 plays, taking 6:20 off the clock.

Senior DB Tyler Moran was credited with 4 solo tackles and one assist to lead the defense.  Connor Robinson, Conner Bogard and Anthony Christopher each added 4 tackles. Ray Brown made 3 stops and recovered the only lost fumble of the game.  Connick was in on three stops in addition to his big interception.

"I'm proud of our team and coaches," Finotti said of the victory.  "We persevered.  Credit coach Hilvert and his coaches and team. They threw everything but the kitchen sink at us."

Of the 5th straight win over BWU, Finotti pointed out "you have to give credit to the previous four teams and coaches.  It's not an easy thing to do."

The team presented the game ball to Finotti on the field after the victory.  "It's emotional.  It will be on my mantle.  It was a proud moment."

JCU improves to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in the OAC.  BW is 1-1 and 0-1.

Next week the Blue Streaks travel to Heidelberg for a 1:30pm OAC game.