The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Past decade will be difficult to top
Area college football scene exciting and memorable the last 10 seasons
A decade ago, an upstart Notre Dame College football program was practicing on an open field of grass at the spot where Mueller Field exists.
About 10 years later, it made the final four.
At John Carroll, a new era for the program in 2013 brought a remarkable string of success — four playoff appearances in six seasons — never seen before in University Heights.
And at Lake Erie College and Gannon University, two running backs from Riverside rewrote the record books with amazing careers and a ton of rushing yards.
It was one heck of a decade for the area college football scene — one that might be difficult to top — and yours truly was there for plenty of it. So here’s a look back at some of the most memorable area college football games, moments and players I’ve had the privilege to cover for The News-Herald in the past decade. Here we go:
Games
JCU AT MOUNT UNION, 2016
» On Nov. 12, 2016, the Blue Streaks entered 8-1 against No. 1 Mount Union, and left 31-28 winners and the outright Ohio Athletic Conference champion. It ended the Purple Raiders’ 112-game regular-season winning streak. The game had everything — multiple lead changes, huge momentum swings, and dramatic plays, including one for the ages. More on that in a bit.
BALDWIN WALLACE AT JCU, 2018 » Fans of offense had to love this game that featured two 8-1 teams with plenty at stake. The winner was sure to earn an at-large NCAA Division III playoff bid. JCU used a tough ground game to secure a 45-35 win, but Yellow Jackets quarterback Jake Hudson nearly won it with 350 passing yards and five touchdowns.
JCU AT MOUNT UNION, 2014 » A then-record 9,397 in Alliance watched 9-0 JCU and 9-0 Mount battle to the last seconds as the Blue Streaks’ rally fell short at the 7-yard line in a 31-24 setback. Trailing, 24-7, JCU rallied behind Lake Catholic grad Tommy Michals’ 182 yards and two TDs and the passing of Mark Myers and tied the game at 2424 late in the fourth but behind QB Kevin Burke Mount found a way to win — as it usually does.
NDC AT SLIPPERY ROCK, 2019 » This NCAA Division II quarterfinal game played like a Madden video game — offense, offense and then more offense — as Slippery Rock held off the Falcons, 6559. NDC had a chance late in the game, but a Chris Brimm pass was intercepted near midfield. The Rock had 586 yards of offense and 25 first downs. NDC — on just 58 plays — nearly kept pace with 548 yards of offense. VASJ grad Marvelle Ross had 247 all-purpose yards including TDs of 96 and 85 yards.
JCU AT WISCONSIN-OSKOSH IN 2016 » It wasn’t a thing of beauty — there was one TD and the teams combined for 478 yards on offense — but there was drama throughout as the winner advanced to the Stagg Bowl. JCU trailed, 10-0, in the fourth quarter before a field goal with 5 minutes to play gave it a chance. However, the offense had one last opportunity but QB Anthony Moeglin and Co. came up short as the Blue Streaks lost the game, 10-3, but finished its record-setting
season at 12-2.
Moments
ANTHONY MOEGLIN-TOWILLIE WOODS TD GIVES JCU STUNNING WIN OVER MOUNT UNION » It was a play for the ages, and one that will go down in JCU football lore. Moeglin connected with Woods from 24 yards out for a touchdown with 39 seconds left in the game for a pulsepounding and historic 3128 win in 2016. Anyone in attendance — from either side — will never forget that afternoon.
JOHN CARROLL BEATS BALDWIN WALLACE ON HAIL MARY » With the 2019 game tied at 10-10 with 32 seconds remaining, quarterback Jake Floriea of Mentor flung a 5050 pass into the end zone on a fourth-down call and receiver Keyshawn Colmon brought it in between two defenders for the game-winning touchdown in a 17-10 victory. NDC STOPS SLIPPERY ROCK TO EARN FINAL FOUR » The Falcons officially arrived nationally in 2018 with a pulse-pounding 21-17 playoff victory that put them in an NCAA D-II national semifinal game. The offense did enough early, and the defense finished it off with a stand near the red zone. NDC stayed undefeated at 13-0 until the follow week, when it lost to eventual national champion Valdosta State. MOUNT UNION STRIP SACK CLINCHES WIN OVER JCU » In 2018, the Blue Streaks almost did something unthinkable — they nearly won at Mount a second straight time. Trailing, 1610, late in the fourth quarter, JCU had the ball inside the 10-yard line but that drive stalled. The Blue Streaks again got the ball back, but a strip-sack and TD return by Louis Berry secured the Purple Raiders’ 23-10 win. MICHAEL CANGANELLI’S FOURTH-DOWN RUN CLINCHES WIN OVER BALDWIN WALLACE » Facing fourth-and-1 from midfield and holding a 42-35 lead in the 2018 rivalry game with about three minutes to play, it was an easy decision for JCU Coach Rick Finotti. Give the ball to Mayfield grad Canganelli, who went 34
yards on the play to secure a Gold Bowl victory. He finished the game with 270 yards and three TDs.
Players
JALEEL MCLAUGHLIN, RUNNING BACK, NOTRE DAME » With 4,739 rushing yards and 52 TDs in his first two seasons, McLaughlin could become college football’s all-time leading rusher — regardless of division — by the time he’s a senior.
ANTHONY BILAL, RUNNING BACK, LAKE ERIE » The 2016 LEC and Riverside grad rushed for 5,839 and 79 TDs, including 2,091 and 29 TDs as a junior in 2014.
MARVELLE ROSS, RECEIVER/RETURNER, NDC » Ross signed with the Jaguars last month as an undrafted free agent and with good reason. In four seasons at NDC, Ross (VASJ) had 5,307 all-purpose yards and 37 TDs, including 10 on either punt or kickoff returns. MASON MCKENRICK, LINEBACKER, JCU » A fast linebacker with excellent sideto-sideline skills, McKenrick (Mentor) was a two-time D3football.com All-America selection. His best season was as a junior in 2016, when he had 96 tackles and six sacks. RAY RUSS, QUARTERBACK, NDC » A cornerstone player for the upstart program in the early portion of the last decade, Russ (South) capped his career in 2014 with 3,756 passing yards and 36 TD passes, which led the nation in D-II.
KAREEM HUNT, RUNNING BACK, TOLEDO » Covered one game while the South grad was in college — as a senior against Kent State — and that was enough. Hunt dominated the MidAmerican Conference with 4,945 rushing yards and 45 TDs in four seasons.
JOSH PETRUCCELLI, RUNNING BACK, MOUNT UNION » In three seasons, Petruccelli (Perry) has 3,929 yards and 44 TDs, and was an Associated Press All-America selection as a sophomore. His senior season could be his best yet.
CHAD STALNAKER, LINEBACKER, JOHN CARROLL » He wasn’t big or extremely
fast, just a darn good football player. The Lake Catholic grad’s instincts and knowledge of the game put him in the right spot, and in turn the multiple-time all-conference player was always making plays for Finotti and the defensive coaching staff. Don’t be surprised if he’s a future head coach someday. MARCUS JONES, RUNNING BACK, GANNON » After a transfer from Findlay, Jones (Riverside) fit right in at Gannon, where he left as the school’s all-time leading rusher with 4,339 yards and 54 TDs. In one game, he rushed for 410 yards and seven TDs. MICHAEL CANGANELLI, RUNNING BACK, JCU » An early glimpse of Canganelli as a freshman showed off his potential. Against Mount Union in 2017, the Mayfield grad returned kickoffs 65 and 95 yards (the latter for a TD) that helped JCU rally from a 17-0 deficit before it eventually lost, 31-27. Since then, he’s racked up 3,016 all-purpose yards and 30 TDs in two seasons.
COLT MORGAN, WIDE RECEIVER, CASE » One look at the 6-foot-5 Morgan, and it’s easy to understand why he’s such a dangerous receiver. The last two seasons, Morgan has 2,280 yards and 33 TDs. Expect the senior from Wooster to have another huge season in 2020 with talented QB Drew Sexton throwing it his way.
CONNER BOGARD, DEFENSIVE LINE, JCU » Bogard was a force in four seasons at JCU, where he graduated this month. His last two seasons as an interior defensive lineman, Bogard was at times unblockable and the nation took notice. He was a twotime D3football.com AllAmerica pick as a junior and senior.
MARK MYERS, QUARTERBACK, JCU » The transfer from Pitt came to JCU came in and immediately posted eye-popping numbers. In three seasons as the Blue Streaks’ starter, Myers passed for 9,598 yards and 94 TDs.
Podolski can be reached via email at MPodolski@ News-Herald.com; On Twitter @MPodo.