Division III playoffs:

Interceptions help power upset

UW-Whitewater was eliminated by John Carroll, but UW-Oshkosh advanced to the semifinals by beating St. Thomas.

Whitewater — John Carroll University became a giant killer for the second time this season.

The Blue Streaks used two interceptions for a 17-0 third-quarter blitz and upset top-ranked UWWhitewater, 31-14, Saturday in an NCAA Division III quarterfinal game at Perkins Stadium.

Already having beaten Division III defending champion Mount Union in the regular season, the Blue Streaks handled the six-time champion Warhawks, snapping Whitewater’s 33-game home playoff winning streak.

Sophomore quarterback Anthony Moeglin threw a 10-yard scoring pass to Nico James and Sam Kukura scored two rushing touchdowns as the Blue Streaks (12-1) advanced to a semifinal game next week against UW-Oshkosh. The Titans handed John Carroll its only loss of the season, 3314, on Sept. 3.

The Blue Streaks became the first team to beat both Mount Union and Whitewater in the same season since UW-La Crosse did so in 1995 and 1992. Both of those feats came before Whitewater established itself as a perennial Division III power.

Whitewater (12-1) never got going offensively Saturday, finishing with just 228 total yards, 199 below its season average. In the second half, the defense gave up large chunks of yardage.

“We just were not consistent as a team offensively and defensively,” Whitewater coach Kevin Bullis said. “We didn’t establish the run game, offensively, and for us that’s always important. And we couldn’t consistently pass the ball. There was just no consistency to what we were doing today.”

Warhawks quarterback Cole Wilber finished 12 of 34 for just 116 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. He never seemed to have open receivers or easy throws. Wilber said he consistently had to go to his third read.

John Carroll went 87 yards in eight plays to take a 7-0 lead on Ro Golphin’s 8-yard run with 4:07 left in the first quarter. Whitewater went 23 yards for the equalizer with 11:22 left in the half after an interception by Famus Hasty set up a short field.

The rest of the half featured eight punts, four by each side, as both teams seemed cautious heading into the half.

“One of the critical times as a coach is late in the first half when it’s a tight game,” said John Carroll coach Tom Arth, who was the quarterback the only other time the Blue Streaks reached the semifinals in 2002. “It’s kind of like you want to be aggressive but at the same time you don’t want to go three-and-out and give them the ball right back and let them get a score before the half. It’s such a critical moment.

“We knew we were getting it coming out in the second half and it was one of those situations where you want to play smart.”

The Blue Streaks took control to open the third quarter. Moeglin completed 4 of 6 throws for 48 yards, capping the drive on third and 10 by finding James along the back line of the end zone for the touchdown.

Whitewater took the ensuing kickoff, moved the ball and seemed ready to answer. It had first down at the Blue Streaks 37 when freshman linebacker Luke Melsop broke through for a 9-yard sack. Two plays later, Wilber absorbed a hit as he threw. His wounded duck settled into the arms of defensive back Mike Hollins, who returned the ball 14 yards to the 46.

Seven plays later, Kukura took his first touchdown over from inside the 1. And things got even worse for the Warhawks after that.

On the first play after the kickoff, Reese Armstrong picked off Wilber.

“I just threw a bad ball, basically,” Wilber said.

The Warhawks stiffened and forced a 36-yard field goal by Matt Danko but faced a 24-7 deficit.

Whitewater showed a brief spark early in the fourth quarter. Tight end Brent Campbell’s 23-yard touchdown catch across the middle made it 24-14. A stop got the Warhawks the ball at their own 47, and a 34-yard pass to Marcus Hudson moved it to the John Carroll 19. But three incomplete passes and a missed 36-yard field goal by Will Meyer spelled the end for Whitewater with 8:32 left.

Kukura’s second touchdown, a 10-yard run with 2:24 left, frosted John Carroll’s victory cake.