It’s Round 2 of John Carroll vs. Mount Union in 2024, and this one is as juicy as ever. That’s because it’s win or go home when the Blue Streaks and Purple Raiders meet for the final time as Ohio Athletic Conference opponents. Beginning next season, JCU joins the North Coast Athletic Association. For now, though, the OAC football programs square off for the fourth time in the NCAA Division III playoffs. JCU is 0-3 lifetime against Mount in the playoffs and needs a win to move on to Round 3. To do so, Coach Jeff Behrman knows his team must avoid the mistakes and lack of execution that hurt the Blue Streaks in their regular-season matchup — a 37-31 Mount victory Sept. 21. Related Articles Mount Union QB Noah Beaudrie ‘game-time decision’ vs. John Carroll There were many positives from that loss for Behrman. JCU led, 21-16, at halftime then, 28-25, early in the fourth quarter before two fourth-quarter TDs secured the victory for the Purple Raiders. Quarterback Nick Semptimphelter was on the mark in that game, as he completed 31 of 41 passes and threw for 325 yards and four touchdowns. It’s the mistakes Behrman’s team made that he wants rectified before the Blue Streaks’ rematch with the Purple Raiders on Nov. 30 in a second-round playoff game. Kickoff is noon at Kehres Stadium in Alliance. The most notable were the nine penalties by JCU (9-2) in the first game, with several of those putting it behind the first-down chain deep in its own territory. The other was the Blue Streaks’ inability to run the ball with just 77 yards. Mount (10-0) was hugely effective on the ground with 268 yards — 176 by running back Tyler Echeverry and 93 by QB Noah Beaudrie. Related Articles Mount Union QB Noah Beaudrie ‘game-time decision’ vs. John Carroll Beaudrie is the game’s big question mark. He suffered an injury three weeks ago against Marietta and hasn’t played since. Mount had a first-round playoff bye and Coach Geoff Dartt confirmed to The News-Herald his QB has been practicing but stated Beaudrie will be a “game-time” decision. If he can’t go, backup TJ Deshields will start at QB. Behrman said the defense is preparing for both players but said strategy for Nov. 30 won’t change much, regardless who starts at QB. “Our calls are our calls,” said Behrman. “The way we want to attack them doesn’t change much. You certainly have to be aware of the personnel.” Of greater importance for JCU is avoiding the costly penalties that stopped drives and cost the team field position, and generating more in the running game. “It really makes it hard to call a game when you’re second-and-long,” said Behrman. “We had a lot of long-yardage plays, a lot of penalties, a lot of critical mistakes. You have to stay on schedule as an offense.” Running the ball won’t be easy for the Blue Streaks. In 10 games, Mount has allowed 91.6 rushing yards and just five rushing TDs all season. On the flip side, JCU has raised its rushing-yards-per-game average to 182.2 yards since the Mount game, with 26 rushing TDs as a team. Said Behrman about his team’s rushing attack of late: “I think if you turned on the film from the first half of the season to the second half, you’ll see a slightly different team in terms of our style, what we’re doing, how we’re getting to it.” John Carroll at Mount Union What: Second-round NCAA D-III football playoff game When: Noon, Nov. 30 Where: Kehres Stadium, Alliance Records: JCU 9-2, Mount 10-0 TV: ESPN+; Radio: WJCU-FM 88.7