Football rally falls short in 27-17 loss at #22 John Carroll

By Tim Glon

ADA — Ohio Northern rallied in the fourth quarter, but fell just short in a 27-17 loss at No. 22-ranked John Carroll on a blustery Saturday afternoon at Don Shula Stadium.

The Polar Bears (4-2 overall, 3-2 Ohio Athletic Conference) scored back-to-back fourth quarter touchdowns to pull within 24-17 with 6:56 to play.

But the Blue Streaks (4-2, 4-1) drove 68 yards, burned 4:34 off the clock and extended the lead with a 21-yard field goal at the 2:20 mark to put the game away.

Senior Brody Hahn (Louisville) completed 17 of 35 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 12 times for 45 yards to lead the ONU offense.

Jake Floriea completed 25-of-32 passes for 283 yards and a score and Demerius Goodwin ran 36 times for 171 yards and a score for John Carroll.

Trailing 24-3 early in the fourth quarter, Hahn hit senior Chase Rose (Kenton/Upper Scioto Valley) on a 75-yard touchdown pass to get ONU within 24-10 with 12:56 left in the game.

The Polar Bear defense got a fourth down stop and got the ball back at the JCU 45-yard line.

Seven plays later, Hahn hit junior Davey Berner (New Carlisle/Tecumseh) on a 12-yard touchdown pass and it was 24-17 with 6:54 left to play.

But the Blue Streaks marched 68 yards in 11 plays and scored on a 21-yard field goal with 2:20 left to go up 27-17 and put the game away.

Senior Dom DiFalco (Murraysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) made a 25-yard field goal with 6:46 left in the third quarter to get ONU on the board down 14-3.

Senior Johnny Rupp (Maumee/Anthony Wayne) and senior Jevon Taylor (Fort Wayne, Ind./North) led the ONU defense with 13 and 11 tackles, respectively.

John Carroll out-gained ONU in total offense 525-328.

The Polar Bears will return to action next Saturday when they host Capital at 1:30 pm at Dial-Roberson Stadium.