Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks
Tyren Montgomery celebration vs. DePauw 10-18-25
CJ Lyon
31
Winner John Carroll JCU 6-1 , 5-0
27
DePauw DPU 5-1 , 3-1
Winner
John Carroll JCU
6-1 , 5-0
31
Final
27
DePauw DPU
5-1 , 3-1
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
JCU John Carroll 7 14 0 10 31
DPU DePauw 3 7 3 14 27

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

Montgomery's Late TD Catch Delivers Monumental Win for #14/15 JCU at #11/9 DePauw

The Blue Streaks' toughness made the difference in a drawn-out war with the Tigers

GREENCASTLE, Ind. – Tough People Win. 

Head Coach Jeff Behrman '95 preaches that philosophy with the Blue Streaks and today, the mantra played out. 

Faced with a two-and-a-half-hour weather delay plus other adversity, #14/15 John Carroll University made a statement in a program-defining road 31-27 triumph over the #11/9 DePauw University Tigers, a new North Coast Athletic Conference rival.

"Life is hard and you have to be tough to win in life. 
You have to be tough to win in football," said Behrman. "And it's not just physical toughness, it's about mental toughness, it's about emotional toughness. Our guys had to be tough in all areas today. 
A lot of adversity, a lot of ups and downs, but they showed toughness and resolve and got it done."

The first matchup in history between the two premier programs no doubt lived up to the expectations. John Carroll controlled much of the first half in the rowdy Blackstone Stadium environment, heading into halftime with a 21-10 lead. When weather forced the teams off the field, the Blue Streaks stood in front, 21-13. When action finally resumed, JCU netted a field goal to make it a two-score game, but the hosts roared back to take the lead with just over two minutes left.

The ensuing JCU drive is one of the more memorable in recent John Carroll Football history.

In a near-impeccable two minute drill, Nick Semptimphelter guided the Blue Streaks 72 yards to glory. A critical 38-yard reception by Shane Lindstrom set the stage for one of the more remarkable catches you'll see. In the rain with darkness descending on Greencastle, Tyren Montgomery made a leaping catch with 14.4 seconds left, tapping his foot down in bounds twice for good measure. All while wearing pink cleats and a pink bandana in honor of his mother, Tara, who passed away from cancer in the offseason. 

"I'm at a loss for words," said Montgomery. "I play every game thinking about her. I came off the field after the touchdown crying and full of emotions. I get on a knee before every game and think of her and my grandma, who also passed recently. They were there with me in that moment."

Now 5-0 in NCAC play (6-1 overall), the Blue Streaks are in the driver's seat for the conference with three league games remaining. Additionally, the top-25 road win marked JCU's first such conquest since 2021 vs. Baldwin Wallace, the insane 29-28 comeback that will live forever in program lore. JCU snapped DePauw's 29-game regular season winning streak.

The Blue Streaks opened with a three-and-out on a beautiful 77-degree day with partly cloudy skies. The Tigers also could not pick up any first downs, so DePauw punted away to Shane Lindstrom, who picked up a nice return to the DePauw 43-yard line. JCU gained traction on the ensuing drive, aided by an 11-yard, third-down Lindstrom reception. Tyren Montgomery made a leaping 18-yard touchdown grab from Nick Semptimphelter for a 7-0 lead at the 7:04 mark of the first. 

In response, the Tigers tap-danced down the field with nice passing plays. DePauw stalled at the 33-yard line, but Matthew Berry nailed a 51-yard field goal to trim the gap to 7-3. Following a quick offensive drive, a short JCU punt gave DePauw good field position at the plus 40-yard line. A ferocious JCU pass rush plus a Dylan Crasi deflection ensured the hosts could not take advantage. JCU stood ahead after the first, 7-3. 

Backed up on third and 10 on the second play of the quarter, Semptimphelter found a wide open Lindstrom to fire JCU into enemy territory. A clutch Montgomery catch got JCU into the red zone, and then the graduate student outdid himself. Semptimphelter fired a bullet to a leaping Montgomery in the back of the end zone in double coverage for a TD. 

The hosts responded with a passing touchdown of their own, with Palmer Samuels hauling in a 29-yard touchdown catch on a third and long to trim the gap to 14-10 midway through the second. 

JCU counterpunched with a 39-yard Lindstrom diving catch on the first play. A few plays later, Semptimphelter scrambled for a 22-yard touchdown, the first rushing score of his JCU career and just the third of his collegiate career. With 4:24 left in the half, JCU stood ahead, 21-10. 

Following a strong JCU defensive series, Lindstrom returned a bouncing punt, making several Tigers miss en route to the DePauw 27 on a 39-yard return. A DePauw injury on the play led to a lengthy delay. After play resumed, JCU could not score late in the half, as Semptimphelter was picked off in the end zone on a pass into coverage intended for Montgomery. The interception was the graduate student's first of the year, an impressive note that underscores just how fantastic the Tennessean has been this season. DePauw couldn't do anything with the turnover anyways, with Nathaniel Hendrix closing out the half with a sack. 

Without a doubt, the visitors felt very good at the break. JCU stood far ahead in offensive yards, 241-96. Lindstrom was the star of the first half with a total of 156 all-purpose yards. 

"He had a great game, he's a complete receiver," said Semptimphelter. "He's done a great job. We also have other guys who stepped up, too, guys who may not have stuck out in the box score but played awesome as well."

The Tigers came roaring out of the break, firing into JCU territory, converting a pair of 4th and 1 runs, too. The methodical drive took over half of the third quarter, but JCU stood strong to keep the hosts out of the end zone. The Tigers concluded the 17-play drive with a 25-yard field goal, slimming the gap to 21-13. This would prove critical later. 

JCU's offense went three-and-out, but thankfully Owen Schuckert flipped the field, pinning DePauw deep in their own territory. A few plays later with 2:38 remaining in the third quarter, Mother Nature intervened. Before a 3rd and 14 for DePauw on its own 13-yard line, weather forced the teams off the field. Following the long delay, the teams finally resumed play at 5:40 pm. 

DePauw could not convert a 3rd and 14, and a short punt gave the Blue Streaks the ball at the DePauw 25-yard line. JCU drove down to the Tiger 7, but no further, as an apparent Montgomery TD was called off due to an illegal touching penalty. Colin Schuler converted a 24-yard field goal, critically making it a two-score game, 24-13, with 14:46 left to play. 

The teams then traded three-and-outs. DePauw got a spark of momentum with a quick touchdown drive, thanks to a 46-yard strike and then an 8-yard score on the next play. On the ensuing 2-point try, Lamar Thomas stepped in front of a desperation pass to keep the score at 24-19 JCU with 10:08 to play. The game started to spiral for JCU with another DePauw interception on the first play of JCU's drive, setting up the hosts deep in JCU territory. 

In a critical stop, JP Germano picked off DePauw on a 4th down pass into the end zone, with the JCU defensive line providing pressure on the throw. 

But the Tigers forced a quick JCU punt. In response, DePauw matriculated the ball down the field despite a gritty JCU defense giving its all. With 2:02 remaining, the Tigers tossed a 19-yard touchdown pass and converted the two-point conversion for the 27-24 lead. 

A pair of short passes set the stage for a gigantic 38-yard deepball from Semptimphelter to Lindstrom with 1:08 to play. Nolan Tanner then caught a huge third-down conversion to set up first and goal from the 5-yard line. A couple plays later was the definition of "players not plays" as Semptimphelter found Montgomery.

"The flat is the first read and Ty is the second read," Behrman explained. "It was the same play as the touchdown to Ty that they called him out of bounds on. The exact same play. They happened to play the coverage that Coach [Travis] James thought they were going to play. Nick read it, Ty came down with it, and the rest is history."

The 10-play, 77-drive was the definition of what the Blue Streaks have been building towards the last few seasons under Behrman. 

"It starts with belief, right? Knowing the situation, down three points with two timeouts left, and believing you can make it happen," said Semptimphelter, who finished 25-of-34 for 297 yards and 4 total TDs. "The previous drives, they had done a good job on defense and they got the interception on me. Going out there for that last drive, all you can do is believe and try to execute to the best of your abilities, and we did that as an offense, and ended up scoring."

"We overcame adversity and we trusted what we practiced," said Montgomery, who now is tied for second in JCU history with Aramis Greenwood with 27 receiving TDs. "Nick is a dog, he's the best in the nation."

While DePauw did surge late, the defense had plenty to do with the win, too. Crucially, the Tigers converted just 3-of-14 third downs. JCU also limited the Tigers to just 2.7 yards per carry and DePauw completed only 54.8% of its passes (17-of-31). JCU sacked the QB three times and notched 6 quarterback hurries. 

Kenny Grobolsek stood out as the leader of the defense with 7 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 quarterback hurry. Gino Blasini and Tommy Wasinksi also notched 6 tackles. Too many defenders to name here played a role in limiting the Tigers. 

"The defense grinded it out. They played their butts off and I'm so proud of them," said Behrman. "The defensive coaches put them in great positions and they just went out there and just kept playing. They contained the quarterback and put a lot of pressure on him to make him feel uncomfortable."

The victory is no doubt one of the most meaningful in recent history for the Blue Streaks. But still three games remain in the regular season, starting next week at home for Homecoming. 

"Our team understands that this is a big win, we'll celebrate it tonight, and then we'll get back to work on Monday," said Semptimphelter. "We're on to Wooster after this huge win. We're super happy, but you gotta turn the page in and move on cause this is a good conference and we gotta we gotta find more wins."

Next Up
John Carroll returns to Don Shula Stadium for Homecoming Weekend, as the Blue Streaks will welcome the College of Wooster for a 1:05 pm game live on Rock Entertainment Sports Network.
Print Friendly Version

Sponsors