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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
JCU defensive line
Ashley McCall
John Carroll limited Berg to just over 100 yards of offense and the offense controlled the ball perfectly. 
7
Heidelberg HEI 3-1 , 1-1
24
Winner John Carroll JCU 2-1 , 2-0
Heidelberg HEI
3-1 , 1-1
7
Final
24
John Carroll JCU
2-1 , 2-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
HEI Heidelberg 0 7 0 0 7
JCU John Carroll 7 7 7 3 24

Game Recap: Football | | Garrett Siegel, Senior Staff Writer

Football Dominates #18 Heidelberg with Stout Defense and Ball-Control Offense

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS -- On Saturday, the Blue Streaks celebrated Homecoming Weekend in University Heights as John Carroll hosted family, friends, alumni, and the newest class of the JCU Athletic Hall of Fame at Don Shula Stadium. 

The Blue Streaks hosted #18 Heidelberg and took home a 24-7 win in a game that JCU dominated. A huge advantage in time of possession and a conversion rate of 14-of-20 third downs were critical to the victory.. 

"That's why guys come to John Carroll, to play in the OAC, play games like that against quality programs. Our guys fought and came out on top," said interim head coach Coach Drew Nystrom after the game. 

John Carroll won the coin toss and elected to receive for the second straight week. The opening drive stalled after a first down gain by Evan McVay, but JCU took a sack on third down. John Carroll answered with a third down sack by Ben Grafton and the two teams traded punts. 

John Carroll's next drive saw multiple third down conversions including a one-handed snag by Brennan Fugh up the sideline. After McVay fought for a first down inside the one, Demerius Goodwin fought his way into the endzone to finish the drive and give JCU the lead 7-0. 

The two teams traded punts again and Heidelberg took over to start the second quarter. The Student Princes took the ball down the field and after a couple JCU penalties moved the ball inside the five, where Montavious Yearby punched it in for a 4 yard run to tie the game 7-7 going into JCU's first possession of the second quarter. 

John Carroll had another big play on third down, as Brennan Fugh took a crossing route 33 yards and a first down into Heidelberg territory. Just moments later, Fugh made another spectacular play, high-pointing the ball to come down with a snag that put the Blue Streaks at the four yard line. On JCU's fourth third down of the drive. Collins fit a pass in between two Student Princes to find Tadas Tadarunas for his third receiving touchdown, giving him a touchdown in all three games so far this season. The Blue Streaks led 14-7 going into the half. 

At the half the story was third downs, as JCU converted on eight of their 10 third down opportunities. Joe Collins had 123 passing yards to lead the game. Fugh led with 96 yards receiving, and Evan McVay led in rushing with 42 yards. Ben Grafton of JCU and Cole Bibart of Heidelberg each had a sack. Griffin Pendry led both defenses with five tackles. 

Heidelberg's opening possession of the second half was a three and out. On the punt, Parker Smith caught the snap off a bounce, and was able to dodge Jaheim Peake and get off a great punt that pinned JCU inside the 25. Defending D3football.com Special Teams Player of the Week Grant Gonya answered with a great punt of his own inside the five, as the two teams had a slow starting third quarter. 
The Blue Streaks' second drive of the quarter was a display of an in sync, balanced offense. It was capped by a fade route snag again by Brennan Fugh for his second touchdown reception of the season to give the Blue Streaks a 21-7 lead. The three JCU touchdown drives were all on 12+ plays, as the hosts controlled the tempo seemingly all game. 

"The whole team played really well today. The defense did their thing, made some stops when they needed to. Joe [Collins] is a great player. He trusts me with the ball," said Fugh after the game. 

After a Student Princes drive ended in a turnover on downs, the Blue Streaks used a balanced attack once again to get into the red zone. After JCU took a large chunk off the clock, Yanni Volas kicked a 35-yard field goal to lead 24-7. 

The ensuing drive by the Student Princes was a three and out due to another sack by Ben Grafton, and the next play was also a sack by Jaheim Peake and Thomas Faron forcing a punt from the endzone. The final score would be 24-7 as John Carroll controlled the ball the rest of the way. 

The story of the game was certainly time of possession and third down conversions. John Carroll held the ball for over 41 minutes compared to just 18 for Heidelberg, and JCU converted 14-of-20 on third downs compared to just 3-of-9 for Heidelberg. Heidelberg was stifled all game by the Blue Streaks defense as they did not break the 100 total yards mark until the final minute of the fourth quarter. 

Coach Nystrom was very happy with the effort and execution of the game plan.

"Can't score if you're not on the field. They have a really outstanding offense that is averaging over 30 points per game. Really proud of the guys on both sides of the ball. And special teams too, all three phases came out and played really well."

The Blue Streaks also dominated the stat sheet. Brennan Fugh led the way receiving with eight catches for 113 yards, Evan McVay led all ballcarriers with with 91 rushing yards, Joe Collins led the game with 176 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, and Ben Grafton held down the defense with two sacks. Griffin Pendry of Heidelberg led the game with 10 tackles. 

Next week, the Blue Streaks travel to Wilmington College on October 1. That game will also be a 1:30pm kickoff. 
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