ALLIANCE — On a day of countless heroes for the John Carroll football team, linebacker Kenny Grobolsek of Brookside High in Lorain County was the last man standing — and running to celebrate with his ecstatic teammates. It was a day, game and result that will long be remembered for any and all w ith an allegiance to JCU. Final score: John Carroll 10, Mount Union 7 in double overtime in Round 3 of the NCAA Division III playoffs — a victory that ranks as one of, if not the biggest, in school history. WHAT A FINISH … @JCUFootball beats @purpleraiders 10-7 in 2OT as Mikey Maloney stuffed on 4th and 2 from 5 #d3fb @jcusports pic.twitter.com/a1Eugmy4ZF — Mark Podolski (@mpodo) December 6, 2025 Grobolsek’s tackle of Mount Union quarterback Mikey Maloney on fourth-and-2 from the 5 in double overtime clinched the victory, set off a wild celebration and advanced the Blue Streaks to the quarterfinal round, where they will play against Berry on Dec. 13. The location of that game is to be determined. “I saw it open up, I had a feeling they were going to do a QB keep,” said Grobolsek. “It was surreal. We’ve been working for this so long, I don’t know how long it’s been since we beat them.” .@JCUFootball coach @jeff_behrman on his kicker Colin Shuler responding to help JCU beat Mount in double OT 10-7 in Rd 3 of #d3fb playoffs, plus coaching his alma mater to the huge win and the play of QB @nick_semp and more @jcusports #d3fb @NHPreps pic.twitter.com/fdeq8Ns42s — Mark Podolski (@mpodo) December 7, 2025 JCU coach Jeff Behrman had a perfect view of his linebacker’s stop of Maloney. “Unbelievable. He squared it up. It couldn’t have been any better,” said Behrman. John Carroll celebrates its win over Mount Union Dec. 6. (Lianna Holub - For The News-Herald) The win brought back memories of 2016, when JCU beat Mount in Alliance in the final seconds to win the OAC and clinch a bid to the playoffs. The win was different as the Blue Streaks advance on, and the stunned No. 1-seeded Purple Raiders head home. .@JCUFootball’s @OfficialKG11 on making the final tackle on QB Mikey Maloney on 4th down to help clinch his team’s 10-7 win over Mount Union in Rd 3 of the NCAA D3 playoffs #d3fb @jcusports @NHPreps @MJournalSports pic.twitter.com/KZYp6w0y55 — Mark Podolski (@mpodo) December 6, 2025 The decision by Mount (11-1) to go for a first down instead of a field goal stemmed from place kicker Ivan Maric missing two field goals in regulation and then another in the first overtime, when it was blocked by JCU’s Ben Day. Mount coach Geoff Dartt said of the decision to opt out of a field-goal attempt: “Before, we didn’t go for it in the first overtime, kind of not confident in that call. So I just told them if we get another opportunity, we’re going for it no matter what.” JCU (11-1) had its own kicking woes in the first OT as Colin Schuler missed a chip shot with the ball at the 1-yard line when it doinked off the left upright. In the second OT, the Blue Streaks got the ball first and the drive stalled. Coach Jeff Behrman didn’t hesitate on fourth down, sending Schuler out for a 39-yard field goal, which split the uprights and was the eventual game-winner. John Carroll's Shane Lindstrom make a one-handed catch for a touchdown vs. Mount Union Dec. 6. (Lianna Holub - For The News-Herald) “It’s always next-play mentality,” said Schuler. “I missed the first one knowing I might get a chance at a second one … I knew it was going in … big sigh of relief for me, obviously.” Said Behrman about having Schuler kick again in OT: “We trust our guys. We trust Colin. He’s mentally tough.” The game started fast for the Purple Raiders as Maloney (17 of 24, 230 yards) connected with Nick Turner on the team’s first play from scrimmage for an 85-yard touchdown throw and catch. Turner was big all game with nine catches for 145 yards. Neither team did much rushing the ball as Mount managed 105 yards on 39 attempts and JCU just 87 on 35. .@JCUFootball QB @nick_semp on his team’s resiliency during their 10-7 double OT win at Mount Union in Rd 3 of #d3fb playoffs and more @jcusports @nhpreps pic.twitter.com/xjPHJc1NP2 — Mark Podolski (@mpodo) December 7, 2025 JCU QB Nick Semptimphelter played “tough” — said Behrman — through cold, windy conditions and completed 25 of 40 passes for 264 yards and 29-yard TD pass to Shane Lindstrom. Lindstrom’s TD early in the third was crucial as it tied the game at 7 and set the stage for a stirring finish in overtime. Lindstrom finished with 10 catches for 144 yards while fellow wide receiver Ty Montgomery also had 10 receptions for 89 yards. JCU won the yardage battle 358 to 335, and was efficient on third down as it made 6 of 15. The defense, following the early TD, did a solid job keeping Maloney from breaking containment. The unit sacked the Riverside graduate three times. Linebacker Davon Badley led the Blue Streaks with 12 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Grobolsek was in on eight stops, and one solo — the tackle of Maloney that clinched the victory. A lingering storyline that hasn’t gone away for a few years started when John Carroll left the Ohio Athletic Conference for the North Coast Athletic Conference. Whispers began, and those whispers soon became louder … The Blue Streaks were ducking Mount Union in football. Behrman said that the decision wasn’t based on athletics or football. But he does hope his team’s stirring win Dec. 6 in Alliance silences any and all talk. “I sat at this table last year (after JCU’s loss to Mount in the playoffs) and defended the decision and I sit here again defending it again,” said Behrman. “… It had nothing to do with athletics. It had everything to do with alignment for the future of our university.” PHOTOS: John Carroll vs. Mount Union football, Dec. 6, 2025 The score John Carroll 10, Mount Union 7 (2OT) ...read more read less