Big plays once again haunted the John Carroll football team, and for the second time in three games this season, the result was felt in the loss column.

Heidelberg hit big plays in the first half to build a ten point lead at the break, then salted the game with a pick six to defeat the Blue Streaks, 47-21.

The loss ended John Carroll's run of ten consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference victories, and put the Blue Streaks' record at 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the OAC. Heidelberg improved to 3-0 overall (first time since 2013) and 2-0 in the OAC. The Berg also ended a four-game losing streak at the hands of John Carroll.

It was a scoreless game until late in the first quarter, when Anthony Moeglin was intercepted in JCU territory by Jermaine Burket. One play later, Cameron Vocke burst 17 yards for a touchdown.

The Blue Streaks were able to answer but not without trepidation. Faced with a fourth-and-three at the Heidelberg 32, John Carroll rolled the dice and cased in with a 32-yard touchdown play from Moeglin to Eddie Williamson.

John Carroll had been susceptible to the big play in the first two games of the season, and game three was no exception. Just two plays after the Blue Streaks had tied the game, Heidelberg untied it on a 73-yard pass play from Tyler Stoyle to Tony Morris. 

The lead was pushed to 21-7 when Heidelberg put together its most sustained drive of the day, a six-play, 83-yard march that ended with a Stoyle pass to Demetrius Magee that covered seven yards.

A big play on the JCU side occurred late in the half. With 5:24 remaining. Todd Green intercepted Stoyle and set up his team on a short field. Three plays later, Arin Pruitt slammed in from two yards out to cut the Heidelberg lead to 21-14.

That would be the final salvo for the Blue Streaks. The rest of the game belonged to the Student Princes. Specifically the Heidelberg defense.

The Berg ended the half by increasing its lead to 24-14 thanks to a 33 yard field goal by Austin Baker. 

Two interception returns for touchdowns accounted for most of the second half points. Donovan Walker had a 52 yard touchdown return in the third quarter, while Michael Warden added a 39-yard touchdown runback in the fourth quarter.

Down 40-14, John Carroll got back on the scoreboard when Kody Kidd hauled in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Riley Larkin with 6:15 left. But Heidelberg tacked on more score on when Magee caught a 29-yard touchdown from Stoyle with 3:08 remaining.

Heidelberg outgained John Carroll, 448-414, and forced five turnovers on the day compared to just one caused by the Blue Streaks.