The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
John Carroll win sets up showdown with BW
Rick Finotti’s message to his team in the postgame was quick, and to the point on Nov. 3.
“It’s winner take all,” he said. Indeed, it is. With John Carroll’s 27-0 win against Heidelberg at Don Shula Stadium, the stage for next week is set.
Baldwin Wallace’s 48-41 victory over Ohio Northern on Nov. 3 makes it a Showdown Saturday as two 8-1 teams face off in a rivalry game. On the line Nov. 10 will be the Cuyahoga Gold Bowl, and, for a bonus, a likely NCAA Division III at-large playoff spot for the winner.
First, though, the Blue Streaks (8-1, 7-1) had to take care of the Student Princes, and that proved to be no problem. JCU dominated in all categories. It outgained Heidelberg, 389-121, won time of possession, 37:08 to 22:52 and had eight sacks. The shutout was JCU’s third at home this season. It’s the first time the Blue Steaks have done that since 1962.
“It doesn’t matter (where),” Finotti said about his defense. “It could be on a street corner, and those guys are fine.”
The win also earned the Blue Streaks some redemption. Last season, Heidelberg routed JCU, 47-21. That wasn’t the case this time.
Swirling winds wreaked havoc on both offenses, but JCU had the wind at his back in the first quarter and took advantage. Its first drive ended with a missed fieldgoal attempt, but its second drive took one play as quarterback Anthony Moeglin threw a 56-yard TD to receiver Evan Nugent.
On their next drive, the Blue Streaks pounded away with running backs Michael Canganelli (Mayfield) and Josh Delozier on 10play drive that featured nine runs. Delozier finished if off with a 4-yard TD run, and it was 14-0 JCU.
Kirtland grad Sam Kukura also got in on the act. The senior running back missed the last three games with an ankle injury, but got five carries for 12 yards.
“It felt great to be back out there,” said Kukura.
JCU’s other standout back, freshman Devin Limerick, sat out the game with an injury but he’s expected back for the BW game, said Finotti. That would give the Blue Streaks four standout running backs for the rivalry game.
“They all bring something different to the table, but the No. 1 thing they have to do is block,” said Finotti of his running backs. “It’s an unselfish group.”
Canganelli’s 129 rushing yards on 28 carries marked his fifth straight 100-yard game, and sixth this season. He on the doorstep of his first 1,000-yard season with 963 rushing yards and had scored 14 total touchdowns.
He got TD No. 14 in the third quarter on a 4-yard run to make the score 21-0. Moeglin (11 of 16 passing, 172 yards) threw his second TD pass of the game on a fourthdown, 30-yard pass to Darrin Davis that finished the scoring.