One play could have determined the entire season.

Up by two points with 58 seconds left, Marietta faced a 4th-and-ten. A first down would have put the Pioneers in field goal range, a defensive stop would keep the Blue Streaks in the NCAA Tournament hunt.

Marietta quarterback Kyle McSweeny dropped back to pass but he had nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. None other than the senior duo of Conner Bogard and Tyler Frederick dragged McSweeny down for a sack, keeping John Carroll University's playoff hopes alive.

The No. 11 Blue Streaks secured a 23-21 win and kept their four-game Ohio Athletic Conference win streak intact, improving to 6-1 on the season and 5-1 in the OAC.

"It was pretty simple. It was a play we have run hundreds of times," defensive coordinator Joe Schaffer said after the game describing the defensive stop. "They were confident they could run it and execute it. They did a great job.

"Those are the plays we look forward to. There is no quit. They wanted to finish the game on their terms. There was no quit."

Senior linebacker Chad Stalnaker had perhaps his biggest tackle — one of a game-high 15 tackles — on the drive that kept Marietta from advancing further down the field.

"There is no better scheme to call in that instance," Stalnaker said on the field after the game with his family looking on. "At that point, it's all about effort and determination. Our season is on the line. All 11 guys looked at each other and leaned on each other."

Following a JCU three-and-out, Marietta put the pressure on the Blue and Gold with a touchdown with 4:29 left in the fourth quarter to put them within two. 

The Blue Streaks defense showed up when it mattered most, holding back the Pioneer offense to just 12 yards on seven plays on the final drive. They held a Marietta offense that came into the match averaging 145 rushing yards to 20 yards.

JCU remains undefeated in the series history against Marietta, but the Pioneers took the nationally ranked Blue Streaks down to the wire the last two seasons.

The Blue and Gold squeaked out a 27-24 win last year in University Heights.

"The last two years have been great battles," said head coach Rick Finotti. "This year we were ahead most of the game, last year we were ahead most of the game. That Coach Waddle and Marietta team is a really tough, physical football team. We knew it was going to be a battle."

Mike Canganelli and Devin Limerick led a strong Blue Streaks rushing attack with the first two touchdowns to establish the initial 14-0 lead. Marietta cut the lead in half as both teams went into the locker room.

Canganelli added his second touchdown on the second offensive drive of the second half. He rushed for 140 yards in the win and became 10th all-time in total touchdowns.

"He did," said Finotti when asked if Canganelli's had a great day on the ground. "Mike ran the ball hard, Devin ran the ball hard.

"I am proud of this entire football team — all the coaches. To come on the road and play in a great environment to get the win — I don't care how you get it this time of year — I am really proud of these guys."

McSweeny answered Canganelli's rushing touchdown with his third passing touchdown of the day to put the game within one possession early in the final quarter.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Anthony Lupo capped off an 11-play, 62 yard drive with a 20-yard field goal to make the game a two possession game. JCU chomped six minutes off the clock on that drive.

Freshman Joey Torok caught a 24 yard pass from Jake Floriea on 3rd and 6 during the drive. He hauled in a game-high 79 receiving yards on four receptions.

It was the veterans on defense that muscled out a hard fought football game. 

Senior Ariel Jimenez forced and recovered the first of four Marietta fumbles against a Pioneer offense that came into the game with zero fumbles on the season. Senior Conner Bogard and junior Harrison Richardson each had one as well to compliment their two sacks.  

"That defensive line is the heart and soul of this football team, said Finotti. "All those guys make great plays. They all have a motor. Those guys play hard for all four quarters, all 60 minutes. 

"I am really proud of that defense, the way they came together. Chad [Stalnaker] motivates the defensive backs and secondary and they did a great job. They shined when we needed them the most."

The Blue Streaks will close out their regular season home schedule on Saturday from Don Shula Stadium against Wilmington.