Nov 29, 2014

The Thunder football team bows out of the NCAA Playoffs in a 14-12 loss to John Carroll

Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton College football team lost a two-point contest on Saturday at home in a 14-12 loss to John Carroll in the Second Round of the NCAA Division III Football Playoffs. The Thunder ends the 2014 campaign with an 11-1 record to tie Wheaton's 2008 team for the second most wins in a single-season. John Carroll (11-1) will face University of Mount Union next Saturday in a third-round matchup of the playoffs next Saturday.

The Blue Streaks reached the scoreboard first today as JCU opened its second drive of the game on its own 18-yard line and marched down the field on an 82-yard drive that culminated with a one-yard touchdown run by Tommy Michals. The Blue Streaks converted the PAT attempt to lead 7-0 with 1:47 remaining in the first quarter.

Wheaton put together a lengthy nine-play drive of 77 yards that was capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by Danny Puknaitis (PICTURED LEFT) with 31-seconds left in the first half. The ensuing PAT attempt was blocked by JCU as the guests led 7-6 at halftime.

John Carroll scored on the opening drive of the third quarter as Mark Myers connected with Zach Strippy for a 22-yard touchdown catch that increased the JCU lead to 14-6 with 12:59 remaining in the third quarter. Wheaton countered on its second drive of the third quarter as quarterback Johnny Peltz connected with Zach Lindquist (PICTURED RIGHT) on a three-yard touchdown pass with 3:37 left in the third quarter to cut the Blue Streaks' lead to 14-12. Wheaton's two-point conversion attempt following the Lindquist touchdown failed as the guests remained in the lead 14-12.

The Blue Streaks attempted a 25-yard field goal with 11:00 remaining in the fourth quarter that was blocked by Wheaton junior Mikey Swider. Wheaton's ensuing drive got to the John Carroll 14-yard line and was stalled on a close fourth-down call. Wheaton had one final drive that began at the Thunder 34-yard line with 2:18 remaining in regulation. A 12-yard pass from Peltz to Keegan Kemp and a 10-yard pass to Luke Thorson aided the Thunder drive. The hosts' attempt at its first lead of the game was stalled when a 41-yard field goal attempt by Wheaton was wide left with 1:07 remaining in the game. John Carroll ran out the clock to secure the victory and advancement to the third round.

Wheaton tallied 345 yards of offense on Saturday, with 243 passing yards and 102 rushing yards. The Blue Streaks totaled 338 yards in the game, with 229 yards through the air and 109 yards on the ground.

Wheaton head coach Mike Swider noted following the game, "I feel bad for our kids. The moment it's over you realize how much work goes into getting to that opportunity and the work you have to do in the offseason just to get back to this moment and it just hurts."

Peltz completed 18 of his 33 passing attempts for 243 yards with one TD pass. He also carried the ball 20 times for 28 yards. Puknaitis ran for 24 yards with one touchdown. Lindquist caught five passes for 80 yards and one TD. Thorson caught three passes for 61 yards.

Junior linebacker Adam Dansdill led the Thunder defense with 10 total tackles and a forced fumble. Josh Aldrin (PICTURED LEFT) recorded seven tackles on the defensive line. Mikey Swider and Alex Mendez each recorded six tackles. Michael Risher tallied five tackles and recorded an interception for the hosts.

Michals carried the ball 22 times for 81 yards and one touchdown and he caught six passes for 34 yards. Myers was 19-for-29 passing in the game, with 229 yards and one touchdown toss. Marshall Howell caught five passes for 85 yards. Jimmy King led the Blue Streaks' defense with 12 tackles and an interception. Brody Zangaro, Frank Pines and Kevin Cope each recorded eight tackles. Pines led the JCU defense with two tackles for lost yardage of minus-three yards.Print Friendly Version