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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Tommy Wasinski file photo
Gavin Hunter
Tommy Wasinski enjoyed a great day on the defensive side of the ball.
49
Winner John Carroll JCU 6-2 , 6-1
13
Ohio Northern ONU 4-4 , 3-4
Winner
John Carroll JCU
6-2 , 6-1
49
Final
13
Ohio Northern ONU
4-4 , 3-4
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
JCU John Carroll 14 28 7 0 49
ONU Ohio Northern 0 0 6 7 13

Game Recap: Football | | Joe Ginley '16, SID

Blue Streaks Fire Past Polar Bears in Near Perfect Road Effort

Nick Semptimphelter becomes the first JCU QB to complete 100% of his passes in a game

ADA, Ohio – You can't ask for much more of your team or your quarterback. 

John Carroll Football posted a dominant effort in all facets of the game on Saturday in the final road game of the regular season.

The Blue Streaks stormed past the Ohio Northern Polar Bears, 49-13, in the final meeting at Ohio Athletic Conference foes.

One of the top stories of the day is the statline for Nick Semptimphelter: 12-of-12 passing for 269 yards and 3 touchdowns. In the 102 seasons of JCU Football, never before had a Blue Streak quarterback complete all of his passes when throwing 10 or more passes in a game. Semptimphelter can now claim that distinction. The rushing game didn't slouch either, as JCU rushed for 231 yards. 

When talking about Semptimphelter's perfect day, kudos must be given to Mark Petruziello, who completed 21-of-22 passes (95.5%) vs. Thomas More on September 6, 2008. The NCAA Division III record book's minimum completion threshold is 20 attempts, and Petruziello's mark stands atop the record book in the category. 

And of course, the defense did fantastic work, too. Playing for Dean Paul – former ONU head coach who is now JCU's Assistant Head Coach / Linebackers Coach – the Blue Streaks kept the hosts off the board in the first half. Tommy Wasinski enjoyed a particularly excellent game with a sack, tackle for loss, blocked kick, and interception.

John Carroll's first offensive play from scrimmage set the tone, as Semptimphelter found Evan McVay for a 39-yard completion. A couple plays later, the senior scored the opening touchdown. Mike Bartusiak and Troy Mrukowski provided knockdown blocks on the 23-yard touchdown.

On the first play after an ONU three-and-out, Tyren Montgomery ran free down the right side on a playaction pass from Semptimphelter, and dashed untouched for a 78-yard score. On the first play of the second quarter, the two combined again. The The Franklin, Tennessee native floated a perfect ball in the end zone to Montgomery over a pair of Polar Bears for a 26-yard TD and a 21-0 lead. 

McVay found paydirt next for John Carroll. The star running back capped off an 11-play, 70-yard drive that killed 6:06 off the clock. 
Jon Tomcufcik and Kenny Rawls provided nice blocks on the 2-yard TD. 

Tommy Wasinski then found gold, picking off an Ohio Northern pass and returning it 26 yards to the ONU 20-yard line. After the first career pick for the Saint Ignatius grad, the offense quickly got into the end zone again. Montgomery bulled through a holding call to get open for an 18-yard scoring strike from Semptimphelter. 

And JCU was not done yet. The visitors got the ball back with one minute left in the half, and handed the ball off to Nemo Jenkins. The star back used excellent blocks by Nick Northup and Dorian Facen Jr to dash 80 yards to the end zone. And so, the Blue Streaks held a dominant 42-0 lead at half. 

John Carroll finished off their scoring with 2:09 left in the third quarter. Tomcufcik, Rawls, and Matt Wrather provided the seal on a pitch play to Quincy Newsom that resulted in an 11-yard TD. 

With his perfect performance, now leads the OAC in yards per game (259.3), completion percentage (74.4%), and efficiency (194.0). He is also tied for the lead in passing touchdowns (22).

Montgomery's 176 yards receiving were the most by a JCU wideout since Brennan Fugh tallied 176 vs. Capital on October 22, 2022. 

Besides Wasinski's great day, Mason Rus and Brady Leczo forced fumbles. Rus, Tyler Thimons, and Ben Day tied for the team lead with 7 tackles. Lamar Thomas tabbed two pass breakups. 

Next Up
The Blue Streaks now get to wrap up the season at home the next two games, beginning with Otterbein on Saturday, November 9 for a 1:30 pm OAC contest.
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