With its postseason hopes out of its control, the John Carroll football team did what it could control on Nov. 16. That was taking care of business on the field against No. 22-ranked Marietta. Mission accomplished at Don Shula Stadium as the Blue Streaks rode the arm of Nick Stemptimphelter to a 49-35 victory. JCU capped its final football season in the Ohio Athletic Conference with an 8-2 regular-season mark and an 8-1 second-place finish in the conference. What’s next won’t be revealed until Nov. 17, when the NCAA Division III 40-team playoff bracket is revealed. As the OAC champion, Mount Union earned the OAC’s automatic bid, so the best JCU can hope is an at-large (or Pool C) bid into the D-III playoffs. Marietta (8-2, 6-2) was hoping for a 9-1 finish and a playoff spot but was eliminated with the loss. No matter its postseason fate, it’s been an impressive comeback for Coach Jeff Behrman’s from an 0-2 start to the season. John Carroll running back Nemo Jenkins runs for yards against Marietta Nov. 16. (Lianna Holub — For The News-Herald) “They did their job and that’s all they could control,” said Behrman about his team. “(Our playoff chances) are too hard to understand right now.” The Blue Streaks’ eight-win streak was capped again by the play of  Semptimphelter and the passing attack buoyed by wide receiver Tyren Montgomery, who were again on target and sparked the victory. Semptimphelter completed 27 of 32 passes for 288 yards and threw six touchdown passes, which tied a JCU single-game record. Montgomery caught 10 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns, which gave him 15 TD receptions, which set the JCU single-season mark. TD Ty Montgomery and it’s @JCUFootball 21, Marietta 7. He just broke school for TD catches in a season with 15. Montgomery never played HS football. #d3fb @jcusports pic.twitter.com/JRwmB5QC20 — Mark Podolski (@mpodo) November 16, 2024 Semptimphelter and Montgomery will be strong candidates for OAC postseason awards. Semptimphelter finished the regular season with 2,622 passing yards and 32 touchdown passes against just three interceptions. He completed 76.3 percent of his passes (194 of 254). Montgomery just missed a 1,000-yard season and finished with 51 receptions for 988 yards and 16 total TDs. “We’re peaking right now,” said Semptimphelter. “We’re playing our best football right now.” As for Montgomery’s breakout season — he did not play football in high school — the Texas native said he’s “processing it. Big thanks to the coaches for believing in me.” Semptimphelter to Ty Montgomery and its @JCUFootball 7, Marietta 0. TD rec. No. 14 for Montgomery, which ties JCU record. @jcusports #d3fb pic.twitter.com/XYBOLJbCMs — Mark Podolski (@mpodo) November 16, 2024 Also catching TDs from Semptimphelter were tight end Kenneth Rawls — who had two — and Kenston grads enjoying senior day wide receiver Tyler Mintz and tight end Jon Tomcufcik, who each had one. Semptimphelter TD pass to TE Kenny Rawls, @JCUFootball 14, Marietta 0Late q1 @jcusports #d3fb pic.twitter.com/BKLVTtsgKq — Mark Podolski (@mpodo) November 16, 2024 “I’ve known Jon since were 5,” said Mintz, who was a receiver at Kenston when Tomcufcik was a QB in high school. “I was really excited for him but it was weird seeing my QB catch a touchdown.” If JCU doesn’t get a D-III playoff bid, its season is likely over, even with the Opendorse Bowl Series being played Nov. 23 at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. The one-day event features two bowl games — one at 1 p.m. and the nightcap at 6 p.m. — with the latter a matchup of the highest-rated teams from the Ohio Athletic Conference and Presidents’ Athletic Conference not in the NCAA playoffs. As the second-place team in the OAC, the Blue Streaks would be the ideal selection from a football standpoint. However, according to OAC bowl eligibility criteria, teams can represent the Opendorse Bowl Series — among three criteria — provided the institution has not submitted written notice of withdrawal from the Ohio Athletic Conference. JCU will be leaving the OAC after the 2024-25 season to join the North Coast Athletic Conference. OAC commissioner Bethany Dannelly said in an email from The News-Herald about JCU’s bowl chances: “Those guidelines will determine which institution represents the OAC,” said Dannelly, essentially eliminating JCU from Opendorse Bowl Series consideration. Against Marietta, the Blue Streaks started quickly in the first quarter. Semptimphelter started his record-setting day with a 9-yard pass to Montgomery than added another on a 9-yard pass to Rawls and it was 14-0 and the end of the first 15 minutes. “It’s always important to start fast,” said Behrman. “The guys stuck to the plan and played what I thought was a complete game.” After Marietta cut the lead to 14-7, Semptimphelter found Montgomery for the second time on a 27-yard pass in which Montgomery tippy-toed the back of the end zone. Leading, 21-7, at halftime, JCU got the ball first in the third quarter and facing a fourth-and-1 play at midfield, Behrman went for it and Evan McVay (12 carries, 48 yards) got a first down. A few plays later, Semptimphelter found Rawls again on a 19-yard pass. “We had a lot of faith in our guys,” said Behrman about the fourth-down decision. “We talk about trust and belief all the time.” In the fourth quarter, Montgomery scored his third TD of the game but this time it was on a 63-yard end-around run. JCU finished with 472 yards of total offense — 184 rushing and 288 passing. John Carroll’s Quincy Newsom carries vs. Marietta on Nov. 16. (Lianna Holub — For The News-Herald)