The 2014 season has been a record-breaking one for the No. 7 John Carroll University football team.
Two school records were tied on Saturday afternoon as John Carroll rolled to a 71-7 win over Capital inside Don Shula Stadium.
It was déjà vu for Aramis Greenwood.
One week after scoring JCU's first kick return touchdown in 12 years, the senior was at it again. Greenwood took the opening kickoff 100 yards for the score tying the all-time school record for the longest kickoff return. Previously Tim Barrett went the distance on the field against Bethany during the 1973 season.
"I thought it might have been the record when it happened," said head coach Tom Arth. "It was a great return. The guys on the kick return unit did a phenomenal job. That was so well executed. You could see it developing. Aramis hit it fast and hard. It was a great way to start."
Kresimir Ivkovic tied the all-time record for most field goals. The senior knocked in 17- and 34-yard tries in the third quarter to move into a tie with David Vitatoe (1997-00) with 35 career makes.
Said Arth, "That's awesome. He'll go down as one of the all-time greats for sure. He's just a guy that's not just a kicker, but a football player. He works so hard and puts so much into it. It means so much to him. I'm really, really proud of him."
The 71 points represent the fifth-most points in school history. In the past three weeks, the Blue Streaks have scored the second-most, fifth-most and six-most points in school history.
JCU's defense and special teams, amongst the tops in the country, had a big day.
"I think we're getting better every week on special teams," said Arth. "They really set the tone for us today. Early in the game, they helped us get out to a great start. I'm proud of the effort."
The Blue Streaks came through with three blocked punts, two fumble recoveries and an interception.
Andy Bryan had a hand in all three blocked kicks.
Bryan scooped up the first blocked punt and darted in 30 yards which had the Blue and Gold up 21 less than five minutes into the game. The junior gave JCU the safety in the second quarter sending the block through the end zone. He would add a second block in the third quarter.
The special teams set up the offense for a pair of quick 1-play scores.
Capital's first punt snap sailed over Keegan Irwin's head setting up the Blue and Gold at the Capital 8-yard line. After the safety, JCU had prime field positioning at their own 48-yard line.
Marshall Howell was on the receiving end of both 1-play scores from eight and 52 yards out.
Capital had some success in the second half. John Carroll's defense held firm.
Chad Aerni pried the football loose from the Crusaders' Nolan Gill to halt Capital at midfield towards the end of the third quarter. Anthony Christopher hauled in an interception on fourth-down to thwart a 36-yard Crusader drive. Trevor Norquest forced and recovered the second Capital fumble midway through the fourth quarter.
Typically, a massive time of possession edge means good things. That was not the case on Saturday. In only having the ball for a total of 6:02 in the first half, JCU responded with 51 first half points.
"It was all set up by the defense and special teams. Those guys did a great job getting us the ball and field position. We executed especially well on offense and all phases."
John Carroll's first string moved in bunches needing just 16 plays to move 274 yards.
Senior Mark Myers was nearly flawless completing 9 of 11 passes for 212 yards and four scores. On top of his two touchdown strikes to Howell, the southpaw connected with Greenwood from 45 yards out and Michals from two yards out.
Michals would punch in two touchdowns, runs of 2 and 41 yards. He would finish with 62 yards on just five carries.
Josh Dasch (2-yard run) and Arin Pruitt (33-yard pass from Wes Keller) rounded out the scoring.
Jimmy King led the defensive charge with 10 tackles while Kevin Cope and Owen Reilly each had nine.
John Carroll returns to the road with a 1:30 p.m. contest at Muskingum on Saturday, Nov. 1.