After an 0-2 start to the 2024 season, the John Carroll football team is back on track and back to even. On Oct. 5, the Blue Streaks traveled to Muskingum and was efficient in all phases in a 35-10 win. Coach Jeff Behrman’s team started as a team determined to establish its running game. Mission accomplished. JCU — which improved to 2-2 and 1-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference — didn’t have a ton of offensive plays with 51 but averaged 7.3 yards en route to 373 yards of total offense.  “We felt we could run the ball on them, and the stats showed that,” said Behrman. Muskingum had a huge advantage in time of possession — almost 49 minutes to JCU’s 26 — and in plays (70 to 51) but it didn’t matter on the scoreboard. “I think time of possession doesn’t really equate (to win and losses) as much as some people might think,” said Behrman.  Evan McVay led the rushing attack with 87 yards on 13 attempts. Quincy Newsom gained 52 yards on nine carries and scored two TDs as JCU had 156 yards on 33 attempts. Meanwhile, the Muskies struggled all day on the ground with 17 yards on 23 attempts. QB Nick Semptimphelter had a near-perfect day passing as he was 15 of 18 for 217 yards and three touchdowns. For the season, Semptimphelter — a transfer from Bucknell — has been outstanding. In four games, he’s completed 70 percent of his passes (82 of 116) for 961 yards with 11 touchdown passes and one interception. “Nick’s practice weeks have been unbelievable,” said Behrman. “He’s prepared himself really well to perform at a high level, and his receivers are getting open and making plays.” JCU opened the game with a stop on defense, then took over at its own 19. An 11-play touchdown drive featured eight runs, the last a 2-yard TD run by Newsom. It stayed 7-0 until the second quarter when Semptimphelter threw a 20-yard TD to tight end Connor Cohan and it 14-0. The lead was extended to 21-3 early in the third quarter when on back-to-back plays Semptimphelter found Dorian Facen Jr. for 37 yards then Tyren Montgomery for 32 to paydirt. Montgomery had five catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns — both on 32-yard receptions. Tyler Mintz of Kenston had three catches for 23 yards. Despite the huge disparity in time of possession, the JCU defense kept Muskingum in check with 310 yards of offense. Muskingum had 21 first downs, and JCU 18. Ben Day and John Thimons led the Blue Streaks defense with two sacks a piece. Day also broke up two passes. The Blue Streaks next return home to Don Shula Stadium on Oct. 12 to play Capital at 1:30 p.m. The score John Carroll 35, Muskingum 10