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JCU Tailgate Homecoming 2021
Jacob Chabowski

Week 2 Football Preview: Blue Streaks Host Yellow Jackets for the Cuyahoga Gold Bowl

| By: Garrett Siegel, Senior Staff Writer
The atmosphere will be festive for the 100th home opener in JCU Football history. 
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS -- Picture-perfect weather should welcome fans for the 100th home opener in John Carroll Football history.

The Blue Streaks will welcome Baldwin Wallace University in a highly-anticipated debut at Don Shula Stadium on Saturday for a 1:30 pm kickoff.

The stakes are significant for the home opener, as the Cuyahoga Gold Bowl is on the line as well as Ohio Athletic Conference standings implications. The Blue Streaks will be going for their 10th straight win against Baldwin Wallace after the bye week. 

John Carroll has beaten Baldwin Wallace each year (including the COVID-shortened spring season) each year since 2012, including three times when Baldwin Wallace was ranked in the D3football.com Top 25. The Blue Streaks come in 0-1 after a loss to Washington & Jefferson a couple weeks ago, while BW comes in 1-1 after beating OAC foe Wilmington College last week. 

If you're planning on attending, the bottom of the article for a parking map. If you can't make it, be sure to follow along with live stats and live video. 

John Carroll Offense vs. Baldwin Wallace Defense 

Joe Collins will lead the Blue Streaks at quarterback. Collins overcame early scuffles to throw for 291 yards and 3 touchdowns vs. W&J. His three touchdown strikes went to three different wideout. He'll look to make smart decisions in the pocket after the Presidents' aggressive defense pressured him in the pocket a couple weeks ago. 

The Yellow Jackets have an aggressive defense that seeks to create pressure up the middle. Baldwin Wallace, led by sixth-year head coach Jim Hilvert, looks to sow confusion in the backfield. The Yellow Jackets have put heat on opposing quarterbacks in their opening two games, tallying seven sacks on the year.

The John Carroll rushing attack will hope to establish momentum early on. Evan McVay had a stellar game at Washington & Jefferson. The sophomore tallied 86 rushing yards on 12 carries with a touchdown, as well as 30 receiving yards. McVay also scored two touchdowns last year in the fourth quarter in John Carroll's comeback from being down 28-10 in the fourth quarter to win 29-28. 

Lookout also for Demerius Goodwin, a skilled running back who never goes down easily. He's a critical cog in the JCU offense. 

Last year's Gold Bowl Game saw a heavy dose of Brennan Fugh, who registered 144 receiving yards. Joe Torok also caught the game winning touchdown from Jake Floreia. Both receivers return this year with Tadas Tatarunas, who caught a touchdown last week. 

The Yellow Jackets have physical corners in Anthony Kendall and Robbie Williamson, as they'll come up and hit you with bump-and-run coverage. But the Yellow Jackets will keep you guessing and keep you on your toes. 

Watch out for Mason Levasseur, a talented linebacker who sets the defense. The senior has 21 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. Vontae Jackson is a linebacker the offensive line of JCU will need to keep an eye on every play. The junior has 19 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks already this season. Kadyn Viancourt has two sacks already as well. Zach Zoul will lead the defensive backfield as he had an interception return for a touchdown to seal a 13-12 win by the Yellow Jackets last week on the road at Wilmington. 

John Carroll Defense vs. Baldwin Wallace Offense

On the defensive side, Josh McLean will hope to have another great game, as he had nine tackles two weeks ago. McLean has some great memories against the Yellow Jackets the last time they played at Don Shula Stadium. Back in spring 2021, the Blue Streaks blocked a BW field goal while ahead 7-3 in the third quarter, and McLean returned it for a touchdown. The Blue Streaks would go on to win 28-17, as the McLean return was a spark for the offense. Against W&J, McLean topped the team with 9 tackles, adding a fumble recovery. 

Another key member of the defensive backfield is Kiefer Askew. The transfer from Hanover College started last week and will be a major presence on the outside again this week. 

Chris Golson thrived last week at linebacker. The sophomore from Streetsboro is one of the players tasked with taking the mantle of responsibility this year after a talented linebacker core graduated. Tyler Thimons is another talented 'backer, as the Pittsburgher starred last week to the tune of 7 tackles, matching Golson's two tackles for loss, too. 

Up front, Bricker Thiel is the heart and soul of JCU's defensive line. The strong defensive end will look to pierce the Yellow Jackets' offensive line. 

The JCU defense will have a tough test against a Baldwin Wallace offense that loves to run the ball. The Yellow Jackets are averaging 203 yards per game on the ground, with a dynamic duo in the backfield. Quarterback Reese Wamer rushed for 80 yards last week. Wamer has split time with Joey Marusek. Running back Jon Murray Jr. was all-conference last year, and has already rushed for 264 yards and two touchdowns in the young season. 

The ground attack is going to be a key to the game considering BW has only thrown for 188 yards in two games. The Yellow Jackets have a massive offensive line to pave the holes on offense, but the Blue Streaks hope to counter that with quickness and smart reads. 

Special Teams

Grant Gonya is the Blue Streaks' kicker, while Yanni Volas will handle the punting duties. The key playmaker to look out for is Tyler Mintz.

The wideout, a transfer from Dayton, starred on kick returns in the season opener, with a 20-yard punt return and four kick returns for 134 yards, including a 56-yarder. The quick playmaker can make you regret kicking to him.

The Yellow Jackets will trot out Dean Sarris to do the kicking, while Dylan Kooyman is the team's punter. Mikel Love and Darius Stokes share the return duties. 

100th Season Celebration 

John Carroll Football will celebrate the 100th season in a variety of ways throughout the season. This week, the Blue Streaks will honor the "Golden Years," the 1970's and prior. Listen for special PA announcements and look out for a special T-shirt giveaway for the first 100 students.

In addition, Gordie Priemer '64 will serve as the team's honorary coin toss captain. The JCU Athletic Hall of Famer starred during his day as a defensive back/halfback, leading the team in rushing in both 1961 and 1962. The Detroit native was a major contributor on legendary coach John Ray's "Wolfpack" defense in 1963, as the team set four NCAA records. The Blue Streaks won Presidents Athletic Conference Championships during his junior and senior years in 1962 and 1963. Joining him will be Bob Heutsche, Bob Hogue, and Gordie's grandson, Anderson Priemer. 

JCU Parking Map for 2022 season
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