PHOTO GALLERY

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – A knockdown, drag-it-out, defensive slugfest took place on the field of Memorial Stadium throughout Saturday afternoon, with No. 14-ranked John Carroll holding on for a 14-7 decision over Otterbein as part of Homecoming weekend on campus.

John Carroll, playing for the first time in 14 days after a bye last week, scored a third-quarter touchdown that ultimately proved to be the difference in its Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) opener. JCU, which made the NCAA Playoffs last fall, is now 2-0 on this young season.

Otterbein, falling to 0-3 overall, will now have five weeks before its next home game with three road dates and a bye sandwiched in on the upcoming schedule. The Cardinal defense captured early momentum, occurring midway through the first quarter, on a huge goal-line stand after stuffing the Blue Streak on both third and fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line. Defensive backs Zach Smith and Brandon Paschal stymied a quarterback keeper around the left edge for a loss of two yards.

The Cards maintained a solid edge in field position behind the leg of All-OAC punter Luke Green-Lauber, but John Carroll eventually cracked through with a lengthy 85-yard touchdown drive to begin the second quarter. That sequence was capped off by a four-yard rushing score from Michael Canganelli.

Otterbein fought back to even just two possessions later, working the clock after taking over at midfield with a nine-play touchdown drive. The effort took 5:34 off the game clock and was culminated on a 14-yard touchdown scamper by sophomore Luke Schmeling from the wildcat formation.

Otterbein had a pair of field-goal attempts that could have extended the lead after that point, but Nate Strong would unfortunately miss wide left from 47 yards just before intermission and then wide right on the first Cardinal possession of the third quarter.

The second half fell into the same defensive battle, with the only score being a 33-yard touchdown pass from Jake Floriea to Keyshawn Colmon up the left sideline. Otterbein's offense, forced to finish the physical game without a handful of key offensive starters, would be unable to muster any other points before the final horn sounded.

John Carroll finished with a 280-228 advantage in total offense while Otterbein had more time of possession (30:41) for the third-straight game. Neither team committed a turnover on a day that instead featured 646 yards of punts, as the two sides were a combined 6 of 25 on third down.

Green-Lauber averaged just over 42 yards per punt, including two that pinned John Carroll inside its own six-yard line. Safety Niall Lewison and inside linebacker Ryan Tuchow both tallied eighth stops to lead the defense while Jacob Tiell had seven himself, including a mammoth sack in the third quarter. Matt Webb ran 11 times for 50 yards while Schmeling contributed 12 for 43.

The day began with an emotional and heartfelt reunion, as the family of Josh Worthington returned to campus and was recognized publicly during a pregame No. 5 ceremony. Almost every player that has been selected to wear the number in his honor was introduced and ran out to meet the family. 

Otterbein will begin its stretch away from home next weekend at Ohio Northern, playing under the lights at 6 p.m.