Coach Jeff Behrman is like most football coaches — one who strives for balance on offense. Through two games this season against two rugged Division III opponents — No. 10-ranked Wisconsin Whitewater and No. 4 Mount Union — that balance has not been there for the John Carroll offense. The good news is quarterback Nick Semptimphelter looks to be in midseason form. He’s thrown for 472 yards and five touchdowns — including a performance against Mount in which he threw for 325 yards and four touchdowns on 31 of 41 passing Then there’s is the bad news. Semptimphelter is the team’s leading rusher with 46 yards on 20 attempts. Last season in Behrman’s first season as head coach in which the team was 8-2, JCU averaged nearly 179 rushing yards and 5 yards per attempt with 20 touchdowns on the ground. Through two games this season, that total is at 78.0 yards per game, and just 2.8 yards per attempt with no rushing TDs. Behrman knows that trend can’t continue if the Blue Streaks want to sustain success. He hopes it starts Sept. 28 when JCU plays its home opener to Heidelberg after an 0-2 start to 2024. He’s also not pressing a panic button in regard to his team’s run game.  “I believe in our scheme, I believe in our players,” said Behrman. “I think what has happened in this first two games is we have been in way too many long-yardage situations. It doesn’t allow us to stick to the plan that we’re used to and want to be in … I’m not just talking third and long. I’m talking second and long and first and long with the penalties.” The Blue Streaks managed 79 yards against Whitewater, then it was more of the same against the Purple Raiders with 77. JCU has also been penalized 14 times this season. On the flip side, the passing game was on against Mount. Semptimphelter looked comfortable in the pocket and missed just 10 passes on 41 attempts. He was sacked three times. Semptimphelter completed passes to eight different receivers, including Kenston grad Tyler Mintz, who had seven catches for 123 yards. Mintz leads the team with 12 receptions and 155 yards through. Running back Evan McVay had a team-high nine receptions for 36 yards vs Mount but he and JCU’s stable of backs have yet to find its footing. That doesn’t concern Mintz: “I’m confident our guys will get (the run game) going … Once we figure that out, we’ll be a real threat for teams to try to stop.” If last week’s result is an indication — in terms of Heidelberg’s rush defense — there could be more room for the Blue Streaks via the ground game. On Sept. 21 in a 52-27 loss to rival Ohio Northern, Heidelberg allowed 295 yards on the ground to the Polar Bears, including two 100-yard rushers in the game. The Blue Streaks might be 0-2 but there is still plenty to play for in the final eight games. The NCAA D-III playoffs has expanded from 32 to 40 teams, meaning there are now 12 at-large bids. However, there is no margin for error starting with Heidelberg Sept. 28. “We’re not really paying attention to our record,” said Mintz. “We just want to play the best game we can play. I think our mindset is we’re the best 0-2 in the country right now. We’re not hanging our head on the two losses. We’re just trying to get better every week.” Heidelberg at John Carroll When: 1:30 p.m., Sept. 28 Where: Don Shula Stadium Records: Heidelberg 1-1 (0-1 OAC), JCU 0-2 (0-1) Radio: WJCU-FM 88.7