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Salute to Service v2
Nikolena Samac

Week 9 Football Preview: #13/15 Blue Streaks Set to Host #2 Mount Union in Game of the Year

| By: Dylan Feltovich, Staff Writer
The Blue Streaks will have a big challenge on Salute to Service Day.
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – The Game of the Year has arrived.

#13/15 John Carroll vs. #2 Mount Union.

Need we say more?

It was the Joe Collins show for the Blue Streaks in last week's 42-13 victory over Muskingum. The veteran quarterback completed 14 of his 18 passes for 348 yards and five touchdowns, while rushing for his first career touchdown. His efforts were awarded with the OAC Athlete of the Week. Both Brennan Fugh and Joe Torok aided in Collins' performance, with Fugh tabbing five catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns, while Torok totaled three catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. Torok's touchdown came from a 99-yard breakaway catch that tied a program and NCAA record.

For Mount Union, they continued their undefeated season with a victory over OAC opponent Otterbein, 51-14. Just like Collins did for JCU, Purple Raiders' quarterback Braxton Plunk defeated the Cardinals through the air, totalling 330 passing yards and five touchdowns on 26 completed passes. His primary target, Wayne Ruby Jr., totaled five catches for 120 and three touchdowns. 

The last time John Carroll got the better of the Purple Raiders was back in 2016, where JCU snapped Mount Union's 112-game win streak. Last year, Mount Union defeated the Blue Streaks in Alliance in a close game, 34-28. 

The Offenses

JCU

The Blue Streaks will face their toughest competition this week, as the Mount Union defense has only allowed 3.75 points per game and 174.8 yards per game this season. In order to beat this stout defense, they will have to remain balanced and minimize the turnovers.

JCU's offensive effort starts in the trenches, with one of the statically-best offensive line units in the nation. Last week against Muskingum was another game in which they kept a clean pocket for Collins. This, however, is the first time all season the highly-regarded front seven for Mount Union will be facing such a talented group up front. Quarterback Joe Collins has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the conference this season, completing 73% of his passes on the season and only throwing for three interceptions. 

Remaining consistent will be the key for Collins, but he will receive help from a deep receiving core. Brennan Fugh is always a name to watch in big-time games ever since he became the most reliable pass catcher for whoever was at the helm. Fugh this season has totaled a career-high nine touchdowns on 605 yards this year. To pair with Fugh, the speedy duo of Joe Torok and Tyler Mintz continue to beat defenses over top. The explosive pass catchers accumulated 548 yards through the air and five touchdowns this season. Capping off the core is newcomer tight end Lucas D'Orazio, who has quickly emerged as a favorite target for Collins. The Duquesne transfer has caught 24 passes for 349 yards and four touchdowns on the year.

In order to be balanced on offense, John Carroll's run game will have to keep up their electric play on the ground. Luckily for the Blue Streaks, this isn't Evan McVay's first time against Mount Union. McVay has been a staple to the JCU offense for the past three seasons, and he's proven to be a spark plug for John Carroll. Mason Sullivan has also been the other back featured on most Saturdays, being the bruiser back that uses his size to pick up yards after contact. 

A connection between the schools is the Newsom family. JCU freshman running back Quincy Newsom has enjoyed a solid impact this season with 277 yards on the ground this year, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. His brother is a familiar face in Alliance, as Darrell Newsom won the OAC's Defensive Athlete of the Year award last year, a feather in the cap of a strong career in Alliance. 

Mount Union

John Carroll's defense will have their work cut out for them, as the Purple Raiders have totaled over 52 points per game this season, the most in the OAC. They may have relied on the pass game in recent contests, but this unit is extremely balanced, totaling over 243 yards on the ground per game.

The dynamic duo of quarterback Braxton Plunk and wideout Wayne Ruby Jr. will be the storyline of the Mount Union offense. Plunk currently ranks fourth in the OAC for passing yards per game (227.4), but has yet to play a full game this season due to the large leads Mount Union holds over opponents. His main target, Ruby, remains one of the best receivers in all of Division III football. His athleticism and natural abilities at the receiver position makes him a matchup nightmare for any team. Ruby has 10 touchdowns on the season, which ranks first amongst all OAC receivers.

Rounding out the receivers are Tyrell Sanders and Rayshaun Williams. Sanders has 248 yards on the season, averaging 16 yards per catch. In the slot, Williams has totaled 175 yards through the air, while being a speedy threat in the return game.

Running back DeAndre Parker has a heavy involvement in both sides of the offense. Parker has nearly 500 yards on the ground and 133 yards in the air through five games this season. The man who filled the void during his time out was Darnell Williams, a small but explosive runner. He currently leads the Purple Raiders in rushing yards with 557 and six touchdowns.

The Defenses

JCU

Every battle starts in the trenches, and JCU's four-down front is loaded with talent. Defensive ends Jake Phillips and Bricker Thiel have nearly identical numbers this season, both totaling three sacks and four quarterback hits in 2023. Phillips has forced a fumble this season, but the deadly edge unit has excelled at getting after the quarterback this season. Up the middle, Ben Grafton has done a tremendous job plugging up the gaps and keeping any rushing attack to a minimum. 

Both Mount Union and John Carroll have one of the best linebacker corps in the OAC. Chris Golson, Tyler Thimons, and Jahiem Peake are the leading tacklers for JCU, combining for 151 tackles on the season. Peake has done a phenomenal job of getting after the quarterback, claiming two and a half sacks on the season. The trio of linebackers is the glue that unites the secondary and front four.

The combination of under and upperclassmen in the secondary has exceeded expectations. This weekend will be their first test as a unit. Both Lamar Thomas and Jacob Hufnagel are now tied for two interceptions on the season. With injuries plaquing the secondary all season, the underclassmen have stepped up in a huge way for the Blue Streaks. Elijah Chungu has been the veteran presence in the defensive back unit. Chungu has 23 total tackles on the year, along with two pass breakups and an interception.

Mount Union

Mount Union's historical defense features eight returning starters, which have accumulated a total of 229 starts. Out of the eight, five were named All-OAC last year, and three were All-Americans. The Purple Raiders like to present multiple fronts that include 3, 4, even five rushers. 

Since Mount Union loves to mix up their fronts, they heavily rely on Bandits (outside linebacker/EDGE rusher hybrid) Rossy Moore and Kaleb Brown. Both Moore and Brown are at the top of the OAC in the sack category, with Moore having nine and Brown having eight on the season. The versatile defenders have combined for six quarterbacks on the season. Their true star defensive lineman, Duke Hill, has accumulated six sacks and a fumble this year.

Behind the strong defensive line, Mount Union possesses a talented group of linebackers. Mason McMullian is the leader of the pack, tallying 68 total tackles on the season. He's proven to be effective in the pass game as well, racking up two pass breakups and two quarterback hits.

Taking away any air threats is a loaded secondary unit that features some of the top players in the OAC. Cornerback Josh Jones has been the "X Factor" for Mount Union's defense, leading his squad with four interceptions on the season. When he's not intercepting any quarterback who tests him, he is still racking up pass breakups. The unit also features two talented safeties in Brandon Yanssen and John Roland. The combo have four interceptions and pass breakups on the season. 

Special Teams

Even with the horrendous Northeast Ohio weather, kicker Yanni Volas has been a consistent ace on field goal attempts, connecting on 7 of his 10 attempts on the season. In a game that will be a tight margin, Volas will be important.
 
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