One would wonder how to follow up a game in which the John Carroll University football team scored the fourth-most points in school history. The answer: score the second-most points in program history.
Aramis Greenwood recorded three first half touchdown receptions to reach 25 for his 3-year career. The senior set the all-time receiving touchdown record and surpassed Larry Holmes (1997-00).
"I really didn't even know that he was so close," said second-year head coach Tom Arth. "I'm really proud of him and happy for him. He deserves it and he works so hard. Aramis puts forth such great effort not just on Saturday's but every day during the week. I'm really pleased with that great group of receivers. He's a great guy for our young receivers to look up to and see how to play the game the right way. He's earned it."
A week after putting up 55 first half points in a 69-0 rout of Wilmington, John Carroll lit up the scoreboard with 49 first half points, giving the Blue and Gold an 104-0 margin in the first half over the last two weeks.
In its last cold, rainy, windy game, John Carroll needed a fourth quarter rally to pull off the win on the road. That would not be the case Saturday. Greenwood made sure of it.
The Fairport Harbor, Ohio native took the opening kickoff 82 yards for the score. It was the first kick return for a touchdown by a Blue Streak since Angelo Cua did so against Heidelberg in 2002.
"That was awesome," said Arth. "It was a phenomenal way to start the game. It's the first kickoff return for a touchdown we've had here in a long time. I'm just really proud of those guys. We did a great job executing on that unit. Aramis hit it and that was it. It was great to see."
Mark Myers, the OAC's leading passer did not have to throw a pass before JCU jumped out to a 2-score lead.
Andy Bryan stuffed Thomas Hinkle's first punt attempt of the afternoon setting John Carroll up at the Marietta 4-yard line. It marked JCU's fifth blocked punt of the year.
Said Arth, "It was great in the beginning in the first quarter. We pinned them down deep and got the stop on third down. We came out and blocked the kick. That was huge. That's something again we emphasize. It's important to us."
From there, JCU turned to its ground game with Tommy Michals plunging in from 1-yard out. After that it was Greenwood's turn to shine.
Myers found a wide-open Greenwood from 45 yards out two drives later on a throw that initially appeared to be overthrown. The score put JCU up 21-0.
Greenwood would tie the all-time receiving touchdown record to start out the second quarter with a 10-yard grab. On the next drive Myers helped Greenwood set the record with a 13-yard score.
John Carroll would strike immediately with Kevin Cope recorded the first defensive score of the year. Cope picked off an Akil Young pass and returned it 28 yards for the score.
"It was a great play by Kevin. We've seen that before in practice where he steps in front of a few and take them on us. It was great to see him do that and to return it for a touchdown."
Defensively, JCU was lights out. The Blue Streaks held the Pioneers to 18 yards on 26 plays in the first half. On the ground Marietta had 16 carries for four yards. For the game the Pioneers would average 0.7 yards per play. JCU held freshman sensation Nick O'Neal in check to just 16 yards on 14 totes.
"I think we did a great job playing team defense," said Arth. "When we go back and watch the film we'll see a lot of gold helmets around the football. We'll see people flying around and populating the ball. We got some takeaways today and that was awesome. We emphasized that this week and want to keep doing that. I'm proud of the way we played and look forward to keep getting better."
JCU would come up with three interceptions. Nick Stull returned the third one for a fourth quarter touchdown for the second defensive score of the day. The interception return was one of five second-half scores.
Myers, who was lifted at halftime, completed 15 of 18 passes for 185 yards and three scores. Two of his three incompletions were drops.
Jimmy King led the defense with eight tackles. Michael Hippler continued to play well. After leading the team in stops last week, the sophomore had seven tackles and a fourth quarter blocked punt.
"Unintentionally, it was not the plan to block it in the fourth quarter," said Arth on Hippler's block. "We have punt-safe on. Michael just kind of got through. He's a big, long guy. He got his arm up and got lucky there.
"I'm really proud of the way we played on special teams. We had great effort and did a good job."
John Carroll remains at home with a 1:30 p.m. tilt with Capital on Saturday, Oct. 25.