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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Jahiem Peake and others
The "Men of Mayhem" clamped down on the Cardinals' offense.
7
Otterbein OTT 2-8 , 1-8
62
Winner John Carroll JCU 8-2 , 8-1
Otterbein OTT
2-8 , 1-8
7
Final
62
John Carroll JCU
8-2 , 8-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
OTT Otterbein 0 0 7 0 7
JCU John Carroll 28 14 13 7 62

Game Recap: Football | | Danny Gibel, Staff Writer

Senior Day a Success for Football, Beating Otterbein

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS -- If this was the end for the seniors on the John Carroll, then they sure went out in dominating fashion. 

The John Carroll Blue Streaks defeated the Otterbein Cardinals, 62-7, on Senior Day in the final game of the 100th regular season in program history. It was the eight consecutive victory for the Blue Streaks at Don Shula Stadium. 

The Blue Streaks played with a noticeable intensity on November 11. After losing 34-28 at the hands of the Mount Union Purple Raiders on November 5, the Men of Carroll were eager to close out their regular season campaign with a convincing victory. 

There are 16 seniors on the 2022 roster, including seven starters. As part of the pregame ceremony, each of the seniors walked out to the 50-yard line flanked on both sides by their parents. 

The highlight of Senior Day was a 4 touchdown performance by senior running back Matthew Buser. The Akron native tallied 117 rushing yards and added 84 receiving yards as well. 

"That's the dream. I'm just glad I got the opportunity to go out there and play ball," said Buser. "Things happened to fall my way today."

Less than two minutes into the first quarter, first blood was drawn by the Blue Streaks' offense. Mason Sullivan capped off an opening drive of 76 yards with a rushing touchdown from 24 yards out. Sullivan shifted to the right side of his offensive line, made a quick cut towards the sideline and ran untouched to the end zone. 

Then, a special teams miscue on the ensuing kickoff resulted in another offensive possession for the Blue Streaks. The return team for the Cardinals allowed Grant Gonya's kick to hit the turf and roll past them. The Blue Streaks flew down the field and recovered the ball at the 7-yard line of Otterbein. 

Demerius Goodwin promptly found his way across the goal line for a touchdown. Goodwin's fifth touchdown of the season set the tone for what shaped up to be an explosive day on offense for the Blue Streaks. 

"It was special. Being around these guys is the greatest thing I could ask for in life," said Goodwin. "We were just cherishing every moment together."

Goodwin finished with a stellar 157 rushing yards on 17 attempts and two touchdowns. 

The Blue and Gold simply refused to let their drives end in anything other than a touchdown. Of the 12 total drives on offense, nine of them ended in a Blue Streak touchdown. 

John Carroll scored four touchdowns in the first quarter, two in the second quarter, two in the third, and another in the fourth. 

Contributions came from all over the roster in the Blue Streaks' eighth win of the season. 

The three primary backs for the Blue Streaks, Sullivan, Goodwin, and Buser, all recorded two or more touchdowns. The running back room combined for 344 total rushing yards. 

Joe Collins, in perhaps his final game as a Blue Streak, was 14 of 21 for 287 yards and three touchdowns. 

The defense completely shut down the Cardinal's offense. The "Men of Mayhem" recorded 17 tackles for loss, which is tied for third most in program history. 

"We just preach on flying around and having fun," said junior linebacker Jahiem Peake.

The Cardinals gained only 130 yards of total offense, picking up only 12 first downs. 

Peake, who has come on strong in the second half of the season, led the way with 10 total tackles, including three sacks. Bricker Thiel and Tyler Thimons had six and five tackles respectively. Thiel also added a pair of sacks. 

"Today meant a lot for us, for me. Coming in as a freshman, these were the sophomores, the guys that took me under their wing," said Peake. 

For the Blue Streaks, the 100th season in program history hangs on November 13 at 5pm. The NCAA Division III Football Selection Show will determine JCU's fate whether the Blue Streaks get an at-large bid or not. Mount Union defeated Baldwin Wallace on a last minute Hail Mary to clinch the OAC automatic bid. 

But that should take nothing away from what this team has done in 2022. 

"This is an amazing place with the brotherhood. I feel connected with everyone," said Goodwin. "I feel like I can call on these guys any time I need something."

After suffering a tough loss in week one to Washington & Jefferson, the Blue Streaks rattled off seven straight victories against OAC opponents and nearly took down the No.2 Purple Raiders in Alliance, Ohio last week. 

The foundation is set for a bright future of Blue Streaks football. The returning talent and coaches are geared to make another run at the playoffs next year.

"[We need to] get back in the weight room, the job is not done," said Peake. "The dream was not accomplished this year. All the juniors, all the underclassmen, we have something burning in their pockets that we want to work towards. We're going to get ready for Team 101 and get back to work."
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