Michael O'Rourke center action shot vs. Berry

Nico Klementzos

NCAA Semifinal Preview: Blue Streaks Face Juggernaut #1 North Central for Stagg Bowl Bid

12/18/2025 5:00:00 PM | By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

JCU's starting center Michael O'Rourke will be returning to his hometown of Naperville

John Carroll Football is looking to punch its first ticket to the Stagg Bowl, which will be in Canton this year

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — One game separates John Carroll Football from history.

And without a doubt, this game will be the Blue Streaks' toughest challenge yet. But mountains have been overcome en route to the program's third appearance in the NCAA Semifinal.

#9 John Carroll is set to travel to #1 North Central College with a bid to the 2025 Stagg Bowl on the line. The winner will meet the victor of #3 University of Wisconsin-River Falls and #8 Johns Hopkins on January 4, 2026 in Canton at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

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Most Division III prognosticators predicted at the start of the season that North Central would be playing in this game, the Cardinals' sixth straight semifinal. But few predicted that JCU would be here. At the start of the playoffs, the Hansen Ratings, one of the top analytics sources in Division III, gave the Blue Streaks just a 14.2% shot of reaching this point. In updated analytics by Hansen Ratings, JCU is a significant underdog.

But the Blue Streaks have found a way to beat the odds to this point and certainly have the talent and willpower to keep up this historic run.

The Blue Streaks have beaten three talented ranked teams along the way, starting off with a 35-6 victory over #20 Randolph-Macon at home, a thrilling 10-7 double overtime conquest of #2 Mount Union in Alliance, and finally a 21-13 win in the quarterfinal last week over #17 Berry in Georgia. Meanwhile, #1 North Central has won all three games at home, starting off with a 38-6 steamrolling of Hanover, 38-6, then a narrow 35-27 win over #13 UW-La Crosse 35-27, and finally a 35-21 victory over Bethel (the only other previously undefeated team in Division III).

The Cardinals have become a powerhouse over the last half-decade, winning the Stagg Bowl in 2019, 2022, and 2024, and finishing as the runners-up in 2021 and 2023. North Central's last loss outside of the Stagg Bowl occurred all the way back in 2019.

Tragically, the architect of the dynasty, Jeff Thorne, passed away on December 9. The longtime NCC coach passed away following a courageous battle with stomach cancer. Thorne began his time at North Central as the offensive coordinator in 2002 and was promoted to the position of assistant head coach in 2010. On Jan. 1, 2015, he became the 25th head coach in program history, succeeding his father.

As NCC's release stated, "The program ascended to even greater heights under Thorne's leadership. The Cardinals captured their first NCAA Division III Football National Championship on Dec. 20, 2019. In six seasons as head coach, Thorne guided North Central to a 65-10 record, including a 46-4 mark in College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) play, and six straight NCAA Division III postseason appearances. His final season in 2021 culminated in a National Championship runner-up finish." No doubt that Thorne is at the forefront of North Central's minds, and that the family is in the prayers of the Division III community.

Thorne's success, Brad Spencer, has taken the baton and run far with it. The 2004 North Central alum starred as a wideout for the Cardinals, graduating as Cardinals' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions. Since ascending to head coach in 2022, Spencer has compiled an otherworldly 57-1 record, standing as the winningest active coach in NCAA Division III.

Spencer has won several awards this season for his work leading the Cardinals, garnering AFCA National Coach of the Year and AP Division III Coach of the Year honors. He has won four straight CCIW Coach of the Year awards. And for good reason, as North Central has the top scoring offense (50 points per game) and top scoring defense (9.2 points per game).

On John Carroll's sidelines, Jeff Behrman '95 leads the way. The former JCU quarterback and third-year leader of the program snagged D3football.com Region 4 Coach of the Year and NCAC Coach of the Year recognition. John Carroll ranks quite highly in a number of categories, including ninth in scoring defense (13.4).

Without a doubt, this matchup pits two very well-coached teams with not only loads of talent, but plenty of discipline. It also pits two D3football.com Regional Offensive Players of the Year QBs against each other.

Kickoff is set for 4:30 pm at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. The local watch party will be hosted by Crowley's at Carroll.

Offense

JCU
The total output for the John Carroll offense has not been overwhelming the past two weeks, but the Blue Streaks have gotten the job done.

The Blue Streaks have been able to move the ball when necessary and score in critical situations. Against #17 Berry, the Streaks scored 14 points in the second quarter, enough to win, before adding an early fourth-quarter touchdown that sealed the deal.

Gagliardi Trophy semifinalist Nick Semptimphelter helms the offense. The graduate student quarterback leads all of the NCAA with a completion percentage of 78.7%, with 3,316 passing yards and 33 touchdowns. With his 20 completions last week, the Tennessean set the program record for completions in a season. The D3football.com Region 4 Offensive Player of the Year is now top-five all-time at JCU in completion percentage, passing yards, completions, and touchdowns.

His top target is a newly minted Associated Press Second Team All-American. Tyren Montgomery has shined while resetting the JCU record book, particularly in the single-season receptions and yards category with 109 catches for 1,392 yards. The graduate student has 5 or more catches in all 13 games, with eight or more receptions in his last five outings. In the playoffs alone, the star has 28 receptions for 304 yards.

Far from the only weapon, Montgomery is joined by fellow star Kenneth Rawls. The tight end from Tennessee played a crucial role last week with five catches for 78 yards plus a touchdown. Watch out for Shane Lindstrom, as well, as the junior has established himself as a go-to option.

The offensive line will play a crucial role in trying to contend with a talented North Central defensive line. Troy Mrukowski is a veteran and a talented tackle who anchors the right side of the line. This will be a homecoming for starting center Michael O'Rourke. The first year is a Naperville native and a Benet Academy alum.

The rushing attack is a three-headed monster. Nemo Jenkins is the first option out of the backfield with 769 rushing yards (6.9 yards per carry) and 7 touchdowns. Quincy Newsom found paydirt vs. Berry for his 7th score of the season on the ground. Cohen Klimak has also emerged as a top option, fighting his way through contact for extra yards last week. Keller Moten also cannot be ignored with a team-best 8 rushing TDs.

NCC
The North Central offense is without a doubt the most potent in the country on paper and the most decorated. In each of the three playoff games, NCC has posted 35 or more points.

The Cardinals are an offense that desires to establish the run. When you have the runners that North Central has, it should come as no surprise. It starts with a talented quarterback in Garret Wilson who thrives through the air but can also run the ball.

Wilson is an Oklahoma native who transferred in from Oklahoma State. The first-year starter has taken the mantle of responsibility from Luke Lehnen, one of the most decorated QBs in NCAA Division III in recent memory. Wilson was just named a Second Team AP All-American after earning D3football.com Region 5 Offensive Player of the Year honors. The sophomore has compiled a statline of 2,562 passing yards, 39 TDs, 4 interceptions, and a completion rate of 69.6%. Against Bethel, Wilson didn't need to pass, completing just 9-of-17 passes for 86 yards while rushing for 55 yards on just 5 carries.

His top option in the backfield is another star sophomore, Donovan McNeal. The Waukegan, Illinois native garnered D3football.com First Team All-Region status in his first year as a starter. The talented back has racked up 1,302 yards, 11 TDs, and a yards per carry rate of 7.9. After missing the second round game, McNeal torched Bethel for 144 yards and a season-high 3 TDs. That effort earned McNeal a game ball from Greg Thomas on the D3football.com Around the Nation podcast. Sean Allen is the change of pace back with 539 yards and 8 TDs. Zeb Rashid also scored vs. Bethel.

Speaking of weapons, Thomas Skokna is one of the top wideouts in the country. The First Team All-America selection by the AFCA and AP, the Hinsdale, Illinois native leads NCAA Division III with 23 touchdown receptions. The CCIW Art Keller Offensive Player of the Year also has 75 catches for 1,156 yards, 23 TDs. At 5'9", 170 pounds, Skokna is not imposing, but has five games with over 100 yards. Against Bethel with the ground game rolling, Skokna was held out of the end zone for just the second time all season. But in the previous two playoff games, he had three scores. Senior wideout Jack Rummell and sophomore tight end Grant McAtee both have over 30 receptions and figure to be involved.

Of course, nothing happens in this offense without a great offensive line. Cortez Jones is the anchor at right tackle, starting all 10 games after transitioning to the offensive line in the offseason. Jones just secured First Team AP All-America status and was named the CCIW Offensive Lineman of the Year. North Central has claimed the Offensive Lineman of the Year honor all seven years since the award's inception in 2018. Center Jerred Durian is another star as a Second Team AP All-America pick.

Defense

JCU
As Lamar Thomas and Joe Thimons told D3football.com in an interview this week, this Blue Streak defense is made up of 11 guys who just do their job.

There is no London Fletcher or Dave Rastoka on this defense to make every tackle, rather there are 11 men who fulfill assignments as planned by Defensive Coordinator Dean Paul and the defensive coaching staff.

In terms of the leaders on paper, Mason Rus has tallied a team-high 65 tackles plus 8 tackles for loss. The mike linebacker is critical in stopping opposing running backs. Fellow linebacker Kenny Grobolsek has made stops in important moments in addition to being consistent with 57 tackles on the year. You also can't write about the linebacking corps without mentioning All-Region pick Chris Golson, a captain with 38 tackles and 8 tackles for loss on the season. Davon Badley and Gino Blasini round out a deep linebacker group.

Up front, First Team All-Region selection Tommy Wasinski helms the defensive line. The Saint Ignatius alum is the centerpiece, making an impact far beyond the stat sheet, with Hunter Kanotz rotating in at the nose. On the edges, Ben Day and Joe Thimons fill out the other top unit. Day, a Brecksville native, leads the team with 5 sacks. Thimons, a Pittsburgher, tops the squad with 8.5 tackles for loss. Nathaniel Hendrix and Ivory Travers work with Kanotz on the second unit, rotating in often.

The secondary enjoyed a whale of a day in the NCAA Quarterfinal game. Dylan Crasi picked off two passes and forced a fumble in a remarkable third quarter. Jacob Hufnagel is the other starting cornerback, with 5 pass breakups on the year. Thomas Niederst filled in nicely for Crasi last week when the Aurora native had to miss the first half. The Blue Streaks have three outstanding safeties in Lamar Thomas, Adam LaCarte, and JP Germano. Both Thomas and LaCarte picked off passes on athletic plays last week.

NCC
The Cardinals defense presents plenty of challenges for opposing offenses. Namely, the big boys up front are not just imposing physically but the linebackers behind them are menacing, too.

The conversation about the North Central defense must begin with John Sullivan. The 6'2", 270 pound senior makes a case for being the best defensive player in all of Division III. The Associated Press thought so, crowning him as the Defensive Player of the Year. The AFCA joined in by making him a First Team All-American. The stats are something else for a defensive tackle: 64 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 7 breakups, and 16 quarterback hurries. Not just the D3football.com Region 5 Defensive Player of the Year but also the CCIW Don Larson Defensive Player of the Year, the Lake Villa, Illinois native is a stalwart up front.

The other D-linemen are no slouches, either. Maverick Ohle won D3football.com Third Team All-Region honors with 31 tackles and 7 TFL on the year. Another All-Region selection, Eli Renick, has 34 tackles, 11 TFL, 9 sacks, and 9 breakups after transferring in from Wittenberg. Bobby Medina, a First Team All-CCIW choice, tops the team with 10 sacks, adding 14 TF plus a whopping 13 hurries.

The linebackers are intimidating, as well, namely the two Second Team All-Region honorees. Danny Nuccio is a graduate student who has tallied 70 tackles and 5 hurries. The only man with more tackles than him is the younger Matt Janiak, a sophomore. The 6'0", 225-pound backer from Plainfield, Illinois tops the team with 95 tackles.

The defensive backfield features plenty of playmakers, as well. Chief among them is cornerback Rahmareon Roby. The 5'11" senior tops the team with 4 interceptions plus 9 pass breakups, earning First Team AP All-America status. Brayden Garrigan is another name to watch, as the safety has tabbed 52 tackles and 3 interceptions.

Special Teams

Owen Schuckert was an absolute weapon in the field position battle last week, with five of his six punts pinned inside the 20-yard line and a long punt of 57 yards. The senior's contributions will be critical. Colin Schuler missed a tough 44-yard field goal last week, but is 64-of-66 on PATs and 13-of-18 overall on field goals this year. Chad Harpster is the team's veteran long snapper. Lindstrom handles the punt returns while Klimak does most of the kick returns.

On the North Central side, the Cardinals boast one of the best kickers in the country, because of course they do. Aidan Ellison became just the second Division III kicker to win the Fred Mitchell Award, selected from more than 750 eligible kickers across FCS, Division II, Division III, and NAIA programs. The award recognizes excellence on the field as well as commitment to community service. On the field, Ellison has converted 12 consecutive field goals and finished the season 13-for-15 overall. He is 3-for-4 from beyond 50 yards, including a career-long 57-yarder—the longest made field goal in North Central history. His 51-, 50- and 49-yard makes also rank among the program's 10 longest. Adding 67-of-70 extra points, the Arkansas State transfer made the AFCA All-America Second Team.

Handling the punter duties is Chip Dose, a transfer from UW-Whitewater. The junior has unsurprisingly not been needed a ton, with only 28 punts for an average of 37.25 yards per punt, including 11 inside the 20.

In the return game, Skokna and Myles Walton, Jalen Johnson all have taken back punts for touchdowns. Johnson has returned only two punts this year, both for TDs. David Ballar and Kaden Hartnett will handle the kickoff returns.

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