John Carroll rush defense vs. Randolph Macon rushing attack is key matchup in playoff game

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John Carroll rush defense vs. Randolph Macon rushing attack is key matchup in playoff game

The last time John Carroll played a football game, Denison quarterback Tyler Green threw the ball 59 times.

Green completed 35 of those passes for more than 400 yards in JCU’s victory that clinched the North Coast Athletic Conference outright. The Big Red didn’t give running the ball much thought as it attempted just five totes.

That was two weeks ago during the Blue Streaks’ regular-season finale. Flash forward after a bye into the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs, and it will likely be a complete about-face for the JCU defense.

That’s because Randolph Macon — the Blue Streaks playoff opponent Nov. 29 at Don Shula Stadium — will be making the long trek from Virginia with an old-school approach that suits any weather.

The Yellow Jackets run the ball on average 45 times per game for about 225 yards, and throw it just 16 times. That approach might come in handy with the weather forecast for Nov. 29 calling for temperatures in the 30s and a 50 percent chance of snow.

The Blue Streaks are stout defensively in many categories, but especially against the run. They rank No. 2 nationally in D-III against the run, allowing just 33.3 yards per game.

With two units — the Randolph Macon rushing attack and the JCU rush defense — that impressive, something has to give. The first unit to crack will likely reveal which team comes out on top in what could be a tight contest throughout.

.@JCUFootball LB Mason Rus of @kirtlandsports on facing a run-heavy team such as Randolph Macon in Rd 2 of NCAA D3 playoffs. @jcusports @NHPreps #d3fb @d3football pic.twitter.com/MZgfNWZ75K

— Mark Podolski (@mpodo) November 27, 2025

“We haven’t played a lot teams that have run it as heavily this year, so it’s going to be an adjustment, a good challenge for our defense,” said JCU linebacker and Kirtland product Mason Rus, who’s second on the team with 44 stops.

JCU coach Jeff Behrman said the defensive mindset is always stop the run first so the bigger adjustment was facing a team that was so pass-happy such as Denison. Still, there’s no denying the Blue Streaks have yet to face a team that is so run-dependent as the Yellow Jackets.

“I think it definitely takes a little more juice,” said Rus. “Guys have to be fired up. It’s going to be a violent, physical game … we haven’t seen a team like this.”

Blue Streaks nose tackle Tommy Wasinski, a first-team All-NCAC selection, is definitely pumped for this playoff matchup.

“As a nose tackle, I get more excited playing against a team like Randolph Macon,” he said. “I take a lot of pride in run-stopping. As a competitor, this is a game you dream of. It will come down to who can stop the run, who can run the ball better.”

Behrman said film study of Randolph Macon shows a simple yet effective approach by a team that’s one of four teams in D-III to advance to the Round of 16 in the NCAA playoffs the last three seasons.

“It’s the consistency, the dedication (to the run),” said Behrman. “… They have an identity and know who they are and what they want to be, and it’s worked for them.”

The Yellow Jackets’ leading rusher is Mitchell Johnson with 575 yards and nine touchdowns. Cameron Chatmon has 511 yards and five scores. As a team, Randolph Macon has rushed for 28 touchdowns.

Not to be lost heading into this playoff matchup is JCU’s rushing attack, which finished the regular season averaging a shade north of 200 yards per game. Like Randolph Macon, many carry the load for the Blue Streaks.

Nemo Jenkins is the leading rusher with 665 yards with seven touchdowns. Quincy Newsom is second with 560 yards and six scores. Backup QB Keller Moten is third with 285 yards running from the wildcat formation. He has a team-high eight rushing touchdowns. Like the Yellow Jackets, JCU has 28 rushing touchdowns.