Peter Wangechi

Football Preview: Blue Streaks Welcome Wooster for Community Day

10/23/2026 4:54:00 PM | By: JCUSID

The Blue Streaks will look to record a second straight home win

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – Beautiful weather is expected as John Carroll Football returns to Don Shula Stadium on Saturday.

Much is planned as the Blue Streaks (5-1, 4-1 NCAC) host The College of Wooster (2-4, 2-3 NCAC) at 1:05 pm in North Coast Athletic Conference action.

JCU will honor the granddaughter of former JCU coach, Athletic Director, and University Heights Law Director Ralph Vince during the coin toss. Hogue Family between the first and second quarters, the family of former JCU coach Mickey Iliano at halftime, and the City of University Heights at halftime. Before the game, JCU will commemorate Morgan's Message, as well.

Here's what to expect on Community Day. Last year, JCU won this meeting, 66-7.

Tickets
Live Stats
Live Video
TV: Live on Cleveland's 43
Radio: Listen on WJCU 88.7 FM / WJCU.org

The Offenses
JCU
The Blue Streaks hummed on offense in the fourth quarter with a pair of bigtime touchdown drives. JCU marched 98 yards to paydirt to tie the game before Tyler Green connected with Jack McDaniels on a huge 63-yard touchdown with a minute remaining.

With Cohen Klimak limited, the Blue Streaks struggled to run the ball, with just 13 yards on 17 attempts. This week, the Blue Streaks will want to establish the run more, as Wooster ranks seventh in the conference with 3.9 yards per carry against. Quincy Newsom and the offensive line will look to get the run going, as JCU rates sixth in the conference with 3.2 yards per carry.

John Carroll has thrown the ball all across the yard this season. The Blue Streaks top the NCAC in passing yards (1,871), yards per game (311.8), attempts (211), and touchdowns (20). JCU rates 11th in the nation in passing offense.

Time of possession has been key this season. JCU ranks sixth in the country in the stat, averaging 34 minutes and 23 seconds with the ball this year.

Wooster
Unlike many teams JCU has played, the Fighting Scots will spread it out. Wooster will show run-pass options, run options, jet sweeps, and more. Overall, Wooster ranks in the middle in many offensive stats, though the Fighting Scots put up 79 points at Oberlin.

Michael Boyle and Damon Hooks will likely split time at QB. Boyle tops the team with 649 passing yards and 5 touchdowns. Chance Bennett is his top option, racking up a team-high 23 receptions for 383 yards and 3 touchdowns.

On the ground, Wooster will roll out several backs. Austin Fancher is the top runner with team highs in attempts (74) and yards (219). Manny Zelaya and
Mason Delmarle both have 15+ attempts and rushing touchdowns this season. Wooster has size up front, including a 6-8, 475-pound right tackle from Cleveland Central Catholic.

The Defenses
JCU

The Blue Streaks largely stymied Wabash's passing game and limited Cole Dickerson. While Wabash did accumulate 106 yards but only got 2.5 yards per carry, with a long of 18 yards.

John Carroll has playmakers at all levels of the defense. Ivory Travers has become a wrecking ball up front, notching a team-best 4 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss on the year. Tommy Tartabini is the team's leading tackler with 24 this year. Ben Gabrich and Adam LaCarte have also started to settle into big roles at linebacker. In the secondary, JCU has excelled with a 3-corner rotation, limiting opponents to just 140.2 yards per game, which is 19th in NCAA Division III.

Overall, JCU plays a brand of defense that rotates in many players, with a different hero stepping up each week. The Blue Streaks allow just 12.7 points per game, which ranks first in the conference and 19th in the division. JCU also ranks highly in total defense, allowing just 217.5 yards per game, 10th in the nation.

Wooster
The Fighting Scots rate towards the bottom of the conference in a number of categories, including 24.5 points per game allowed (7th).

Cam Crago is the team's ringleader at linebacker, notching 38 tackles with 8 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. A key player in both the pass and run game, he has 4 breakups, 5 quarterback hits, three forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

Up front, the Fighting Scots have some size, including a 360-pound defensive tackle. First-year lineman Jacob Dudek ranks third on the team with 22 tackles.

In the secondary, look for Brock Sivon. The star safety tops the team with 44 tackles. Wooster plays a 3-safety system as part of a 3-3-5 defense.

The Special Teams
JCU
The Blue Streaks make big special teams plays every week it seems. Janiere Cook blocked a punt last week to help change the momentum. Colin Schuler and Tyler Wilson have become a strong kicker-punter tandem.

Wooster
Nolan Hendricks handles both the kicking and punting for Wooster. He averages 35 yards per punt and has made all 3 field goals with a long of 32, also converting on 14-of-17 extra points. Beyond being a figure on defense, Crago has blocked four kicks.

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