CLEVELAND, Ohio – The John Carroll and Mount Union football teams will play their opening games in the NCAA Division III playoffs on Saturday, and both will be at home.
Here’s a look at their matchups after both received a bye in last weekend’s first round.
All rankings are from D3football.com:
No. 9 John Carroll vs. No. 20 Randolph-Macon College
Date & Time: Saturday, noon.
Location: Don Shula Stadium on JCU campus, University Heights.
Tickets: Available at this link via JCUSports.com.
Broadcast: ESPN+, WJCU 88.7 FM.
About JCU: The Blue Streaks are 9-1 and finished 8-0 in their first season in the North Coast Athletic Conference to capture the league crown.
About Randolph-Macon: Randolph-Macon, located in Ashland, Va., and representing the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, is 9-1.
JCU players to watch: Quarterback Nick Semptimphelter has had a historic season, completing 80% of his passes, the highest at any collegiate level, while throwing for 2,534 yards and 27 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Wide receiver Tyren Montgomery set a single-season record for the program with 81 receptions and surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the second consecutive year. Tailback Nemo Jenkins has rushed for a team-high 665 yards. On defense, linebacker Chris Golson, defensive tackle Tommy Wasinski, and safety Lamar Thomas earned first-team all-conference honors, contributing to a top-20 national ranking in defense.
No. 2 Mount Union vs. Muhlenberg
Date & Time: Saturday, noon.
Location: Kehres Stadium, Alliance, Ohio
Tickets: Available at this link via the Mount Union athletics website.
Broadcast: ESPN+
About Mount Union: 10-0, ninth consecutive undefeated regular season, 36th Ohio Athletic Conference Championship.
About Muhlenberg: 9-2, defeated Union 34-26 in the first round This is the third matchup in the NCAA playoffs between the teams. Mount Union won both prior encounters, including a 35-29 overtime victory in 2021
Mount Union players to watch: Quarterback Mikey Maloney has passed for 2,237 yards and 27 touchdowns while completing 158 of 229 pass attempts. He has thrown only three interceptions all season. He also has 391 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Darnell Williams has 1,004 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 131 carries. Kayden Minner has run for 556 yards and six touchdowns. Maloney’s top targets include Nick Turner, who has a team-high 43 catches for 586 yards and four touchdowns. Davion Grant has 711 receiving yards on 39 catches with six touchdowns, while Jacob Cockrell has 590 yards and five touchdowns. Linebacker Weston Arthur paces the unit with 64 total tackles.
