John Carroll and Mount Union will both host their opening NCAA Division III playoff games on Saturday.,Both teams received byes in the first round and will play at home.The John Carroll and Mount Union football teams are set to play their opening games in the NCAA Division III playoffs on Saturday, with both matchups taking place on their home fields. Both teams received a bye in the first round last weekend.
No. 9 John Carroll will face No. 20 Randolph-Macon College at noon on Saturday at Don Shula Stadium on the JCU campus in University Heights. Tickets are available via JCUSports.com, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and WJCU 88.7 FM.
John Carroll, currently 9-1, finished their first season in the North Coast Athletic Conference with an 8-0 record, securing the league championship. Randolph-Macon, representing the Old Dominion Athletic Conference from Ashland, Va., also holds a 9-1 record.
Key players for John Carroll include quarterback Nick Semptimphelter, who has completed 80% of his passes for 2,534 yards and 27 touchdowns against only two interceptions. Wide receiver Tyren Montgomery has set a single-season program record with 81 receptions and exceeded 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 the team’s national top-20 defense ranking.
No. 2 Mount Union will host Muhlenberg at noon on Saturday at Kehres Stadium in Alliance, Ohio. Tickets can be purchased through the Mount Union athletics website, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Mount Union enters the game with a 10-0 record, marking their ninth consecutive undefeated regular season and their 36th Ohio Athletic Conference Championship. Muhlenberg, with a 9-2 record, advanced to this round by defeating Union 34-26 in the first round.
This marks the third NCAA playoff meeting between Mount Union and Muhlenberg, with Mount Union having won both previous encounters, including a 35-29 overtime victory in 2021.
Mount Union’s key offensive players include quarterback Mikey Maloney, who has thrown for 2,237 yards and 27 touchdowns with only three interceptions on 158 of 229 passing attempts. He also has 391 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Darnell Williams leads the team with 1,004 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 131 carries, while Kayden Minner has added 556 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Among Maloney’s top targets are Nick Turner with a team-high 43 catches for 586 yards and four touchdowns, Davion Grant with 711 receiving yards on 39 catches and six touchdowns, and Jacob Cockrell with 590 yards and five touchdowns. Linebacker Weston Arthur leads the defense with 64 total tackles.
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