The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Here’s top five JCU home games vs. Mount
Sports Editor Mark Podolski counts down five of John Carroll’s most memorable home games in recent memory against Mount Union, as the teams are set to clash once more this weekend.
When John Carroll hosts Mount Union on Sept. 25, history won’t be on the side of the Blue Streaks.
JCU has won just twice — 1989 and 2016 — in more than 30 years against the powerful Purple Raiders.
That doesn’t mean many of the games during that time have not been entertaining. Five in particular with JCU as the home team have been dramafilled, down-to-the-wire and nail-bitters.
Here’s five unforgettable JCU home game games against Mount, in chronological order:
JCU 31, MOUNT 7, 1989 » The game was played at Brush High School because JCU’s stadium was undergoing renovations. The stakes couldn’t have been higher. The winner was the Ohio Athletic Conference champion and earned a spot in the NCAA Division III playoffs. With the game tied at 7 in the second half, the Blue Streaks felt right at home at Brush with a dominant performance led by linebacker Dave Rastoka (Lake Catholic) and the defense. The big moment of the game was Joey Behm’s hit that caused a fumble and turned the game in JCU’s favor. A 24-0 run sealed the victory.
JCU had a chance for its first 10-0 regular season but lost to Baldwin Wallace, 25-19, the next week. Then in the first round of the playoffs, it lost at Dayton, 35-10, but the win over Mount remains a highlight in JCU football lore. MOUNT 10, JCU 7, 1994 » The defending national champion Purple Raiders won a defensive battle in Week 4, but the ramifications of the result wouldn’t be felt until the last week of the regular season when the Blue Streaks shut out rival Baldwin Wallace, 9-0. That forced a three-way tie atop the OAC because BW had beaten Mount, 23-10, earlier in the year. Mount, JCU and BW were all 9-1. Mount earned the NCAA D-III playoff bid.
MOUNT 57, JCU 51 (3OT), 1999 » No. 1-ranked Mount had to fight through three overtimes thanks to a spirited performance by freshman quarterback Tom Arth and Co. More than 6,000 in University Heights saw a classic. Mount had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation but a 23yard field goal missed. The teams traded field goals and then touchdowns in the first two OTs before Gary Smeck threw a TD. On JCU’s final possession, four passes went incomplete. A 56-yard Hail Mary TD from Arth to Larry Holmes gave JCU a 28-24 halftime lead. Mount scored two TDs in the fourth to take a 41-34 lead with two minutes to play before Arth (21 of 36, 382 yards, four TDs) again found Holmes for a fouryard TD to tie the game at 41.
MOUNT 33, JCU 30, 2001 » The game was played at night at Bedford’s Bearcat Stadium, and the 8,800 there saw a classic. Three current FBS coaches started and made an impact in the game. Toledo coach Jason Candle caught 10 passes and a TD for Mount. Iowa State coach Matt Campbell started at defensive end and made two solo stops for the Raiders. Arth — the Akron Zips coach — was his usual spectacular self and nearly guided JCU to a huge upset. The game went back and forth, and with two minutes to play Arth (318 yards, four TD passes) connected with Brian Shellito for 74 yards to give the Blue Streaks a 30-27 lead. Mount came right back, and Chuck Moore scored on a sevenyard run with 26 seconds remaining. JCU had one final shot to force OT, but a 47-yard field-goal attempt came up short.
MOUNT 31, JCU 27, 2017 » Never underestimate the importance of special teams. Mount entered 9-0 and No. 2 in the country while JCU was 6-3. It looked like a blowout was brewing as the Raiders led, 17-0, just before halftime. Then freshman Michael Canganelli — one year from becoming JCU’s top running back — turned the game with two kickoff returns. The first put JCU in business at the Raiders’ 30 late in the first half, and led to a TD to make it 17-7 at the half. Then Canganelli took the second half kick 95 yards to pay dirt to make it 17-14. JCU had the ball with two minutes to play and down, 31-27, but couldn’t finish the comeback. Canganelli had 209 yards on kickoff returns. Receiver Willie Woods had nine catches for 93 yards and two TDs for the Blue Streaks.