Be Unbreakable.
Head coach Jeff Behrman '95 tells his team this simple message often. Today, No. 9 John Carroll embodied that motto in a dramatic, thrilling 10-7 conquest of No. 2 Mount Union that will be etched into the record books as one of the best wins in John Carroll Football history.
The double overtime triumph in the Third Round of the NCAA Playoffs sends JCU to the Quarterfinal Round against #17 Berry College (Ga.). This will be JCU's fourth quarterfinal appearance in program history.
"We know [Mount Union's] history and what they've done over the years. Hats off to them, they've had a phenomenal season ... I'm really proud of our team," said Behrman. "I'm proud of our players, staff, and their resolve. That was not an easy game and we didn't think it would be. You learn a lot about yourself in games like this. This is what they've been training this year, being mentally tough, physically tough, and emotionally tough. We believe that tough people win, and I believe that today, our team was physically, mentally, and emotionally tougher when they needed to be."
Making it all the sweeter for the Blue Streaks? Vanquishing the former Ohio Athletic Conference foes in JCU's first year as members of the North Coast Athletic Conference. This marks JCU's first playoff win over Mount Union in five meetings.
"The uneducated person would say we ducked them for an athletic reason, the educated person understands the landscape of higher ed. I give our administration a ton of credit for seeing that and understanding why the landscape is changing and why we had to move," said Behrman. "I sat at this table last year and defended that decision. I sit here today, a year and one week later to defend it again. John Carroll moved in the right direction and it had nothing to do with athletics. It had everything to do with alignment for our future as a university. Our expectation was to play this game this year or in the future. We didn't duck anybody."
On a cold day at Kehres Stadium, the Blue Streaks' defense posted one of the best defensive efforts in program history. Following a 85-yard touchdown play on the first offensive play from scrimmage, Mount Union never scored again. The Purple Raiders missed three field goals, including one that was blocked in the first overtime by Ben Day. Schuler missed an 18-yarder in the first overtime, as well, following a third and goal stop at the 1-yard line by the Raiders.
The Blue Streaks' offense did enough to win. A 39-yard Colin Schuler field goal on the first possession of the second overtime became the game-winner. On 4th and 2 from the JCU 4-yard line in the second possession of 2OT, Day and Kenny Grobolsek tackled Mount Union star QB Mikey Maloney to secure the victory.
"I was very keen on what they were going to run, especially after the first two plays they had run, they went QB draw, QB draw," said Grobolsek, a star senior. "That's when they were getting yards, small amounts of yards. I [said], 'They're going to come back to it one way or another.'"
Defensive coordinator Dean Paul's defense posted an incredible effort in limiting the Purple Raiders to just 7 points. This marks the lowest scoring output for Mount Union in a game since December 20, 2003 when the Raiders lost the Stagg Bowl to Saint John's, 24-6. And notably, this is the first time the Raiders have been held to 7 points at home since November 29, 1986 when the Raiders lost to Augustana, 16-7, in the quarterfinals.
Turnovers harmed the Blue Streaks in the first half, with a pair of fumbles negating promising JCU drives. But strong stands by the JCU defense held the Purple Raiders to just seven first-half points, Mount Union's lowest output in an opening half this year. On the flipside, it also marked the first time this season that JCU failed to score in the first 30 minutes.
John Carroll's opening drive passed midfield, but stalled just inside Mount Union territory. On the Purple Raiders' first play of the game, Nick Turner found a wide open seam down the middle on an easy 85-yard strike for a 7-0 lead just three minutes into the game. Mount Union's TD marked the longest play allowed by John Carroll all season. JCU's next drive also got into Mount Union territory, but again Owen Schuckert came out to punt.
The hosts responded with a methodical drive, including a key fourth-down pickup on 4th and 2 at the JCU 24. But thankfully, the Blue Streaks made a key stop to force a field goal. First Team All-OAC kicker Ivan Maric barely missed a 41-yarder wide right with 44 seconds left in the quarter. The Purple Raiders' 7-0 lead held through the end of the period.
JCU's ensuing drive ended in disaster in a fumble, and after a 15-yard penalty, the Purple Raiders got the ball at their own 42-yard line. Thankfully the JCU defense stiffened again, and Mount Union missed a 48-yarder with the wind whipping through Kehres Stadium.
JCU once again got into Mount Union territory but another fumble gave the ball back to the Purple Raiders, this time the hosts took over at the JCU 48 with 5:11 left. Mount Union drove all the way to the JCU 14-yard line, but JCU's defense stopped them on fourth down with 1:07 left. The visitors' final drive went for naught due to penalties, so the score stood at 7-0 Mount Union.
A three-and-out by the Purple Raiders fired up the visitor stands to start the third quarter. In response, JCU marched down the field, softening up the defense with the run. Nick Semptimphelter then dropped a beautiful pass in the bucket for Shane Lindstrom for a 29-yard score.
Without a doubt, the play was a thing of beauty. While this play happened in the third quarter, the touchdown is one that should be remembered by JCU fans for a long time.
The Purple Raiders responded with a nice drive to the JCU 8-yard line, but the JCU defense struck again. Chris Golson forced a fumble and Lamar Thomas recovered in a colossal turnover at the midway mark of the quarter. The teams then traded punts, so the score stood deadlocked at 7-7 entering the fourth.
The Blue Streaks got into Mount Union territory, but stalled again. But while JCU needed to punt, Schuckert managed to flip the field, as a gorgeous punt pinned the hosts at their own 7-yard line with 7:35 to play. The Purple Raiders escaped, but stalled at midfield before punting it to the JCU 1-yard line with 2:53 left. JCU drove to just outside of field goal range late, but could not get far enough to attempt one.
Following the teams' missed field goals in the first overtime, Schuler recovered for his game-winner, showcasing impeccable mental toughness. Then the JCU defense produced one of the most memorable stops in program history.
Nick Semptimphelter finished 25-of-40 for 264 yards and 1 touchdown amidst pressure by Mount Union's tough front. Shane Lindstrom set collegiate highs for receptions (10) and receiving yards (144) while catching JCU's lone TD. Tyren Montgomery cemented his status as the program's single-season record holder for receiving yards, hauling in 10 catches for 90 yards. Montgomery hit the 100 receptions milestone for this season, now the record-holder by a whopping 34 catches. JCU finished with 87 net rushing yards.
On defense, Davon Badley enjoyed an impressive day with 11 tackles for 2.5 tackles for loss. Kenny Grobolsek put on a show with 9 tackles. Adam LaCarte and Mason Rus both chipped in 6 tackles, while Tommy Wasinski was a menace with 5 tackles.
"It was trust in one another," said Grobolsek. "When we go out there as a defense, we do our job and we also rely on the offense to do their job. If one thing doesn't go our way, the other side of the ball has their back. That's stuck with our team. As a defense and a brotherhood, we've been about the next play."
After the victory, the JCU Football team buses passed through Christmas Carroll Eve down Admin drive to raucous cheers from John Carroll alumni and students. It was a fitting ending to an incredible day.
Putting this victory into perspective, John Carroll has enjoyed lots of memorable moments in program history, including a pair of NCAA Semifinal appearances. JCU had two previous overtime playoff victories – a 16-10 win over Brockport in the 2002 Quarterfinal and a 20-17 win over Wesley in the 2016 Second Round – but this one takes the cake. The 1950 triumph over Syracuse guided by the legendary Don Shula '51 comes to mind as a program-defining conquest. And oldtimers will regale you with tales of undefeated seasons in 1959, 1962, and 1963.
But without a doubt, today's triumph over "The Machine" in its Alliance factory will live in the lore of John Carroll Football history forever.