By Matt Florjancic
D3sports.com
Mount Union and John Carroll have proud football traditions. Mount Union has won nine Division III national championships, while John Carroll produced National Football League coaching legend Don Shula and current Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher.
The two Ohio Athletic Conference schools renew their rivalry in Alliance this weekend as the Raiders celebrate Fall Visitation and Family Day. But it will really be a family day on both sides. Mount Union junior wide receiver Vince Petruziello will be on one sideline, with his older brother, Mark, quarterbacking John Carroll's offense.
"Both of our parents go to the game and they just cheer for the offenses," Mark said. "It's pretty exciting for me because I didn't really get to play with Vince in high school because I was older than him
"I really didn't have an opportunity to see him play since then," added Mark. "It's going to be an opportunity for me to see him on the field because last year, he didn't really play that much against us. I'm proud of him and how much work and time he's put into everything. It's really showing this year for him."
Though they will not be on the field at the same time, the brothers are focal points of the opposing defenses.
Mark has completed 149 of 227 passes for 1,600 yards and 14 touchdowns for John Carroll (5-2, 4-2 OAC), who lost to Ohio Northern last weekend. The senior from Mentor, Ohio, has thrown just six interceptions this year.
"I came into camp in probably the best shape since I've been at John Carroll," Mark said. "Last year, I had surgery and wasn't fully healthy when I started the season. It's my last season and I really felt good about things. I really had a good grasp of the offense."
With the graduation of All-American Pierre Garcon, Vince is now seeing more playing time at wide receiver for Mount Union (7-0, 6-0 OAC). Vince has 20 catches for 290 yards and three touchdowns. On special teams, Vince has returned 12 punts for 115 yards and one kick for 17 yards.
"This will actually be the first time I'm starting and he's starting," said Vince. "I'm really excited and looking forward to it. I'm sure I'll see him before the game, wish him luck and treat it like every other game though."
Mark transferred to John Carroll after playing for Ohio University. Though he is listed as a senior and Vince a junior, Mark is two-and-a-half years older than Vince. Because of that, they were not always on the same team, but still respected the other's accomplishments.
"Growing up, we always played football together in the backyard," Vince said. "We always had each other's backs. I always hope for him to do well every week since he's been at John Carroll. Even in the game, I hope he does well. I just pray he doesn't get injured.
"There's really no rivalry."
"We really don't talk football that much," Mark said. "If it is, it's what to expect this week. We don't really get into getting after each other. It's more of a supportive aspect."
Vince almost ended up at John Carroll, which meant the brothers Petruziello would have challenged OAC defenses together. However, a trip to Alliance altered those plans.
"Actually, Mount was one of my last picks," Vince said. "Carroll was a top-two, along with Baldwin-Wallace. I had a lot of incentives to go to John Carroll. The coaching staff was great and it was closer to home. Right at the last-second, I got a call from Mount and came to visit here. As soon as I came to Mount, I knew this would be my place to stay."
While they hope each other has success, make no mistake about it, both players want to win the game. The Blue Streaks want to end a long-standing losing streak to Mount Union and the machine known as Purple Raider football is heading toward its 17th consecutive OAC championship.
"I don't want to say too much to him before this week's game," Vince said. "Usually, we talk during the week, but I won't talk to him too much."
"We've got to execute," said Mark. "They've got a great defense. All around, they're pretty good. I saw a little film on them this afternoon. We're going to have to protect. We're not going to be able to turn the football over. Mistakes will really hurt you. We have to play a perfect game.
"The ultimate goal every week is to win, but this week would be something special to come out and beat these guys," Mark concluded. "We haven't beaten them in a long time and nobody's been close to beating them this year. It'd be quite an accomplishment."
News and notes
The wide receiver tandem of Jimmy Semelsberger and Cory McCain did everything in their power to knock Trine University (7-0, 4-0 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association) from the ranks of the unbeaten last Saturday, but Kalamazoo (2-6, 1-3) came up one point and one defensive stop short of winning. Despite the 36-35 loss, Semelsberger (11 catches, one TD) and McCain (nine catches) each gained 151 yards receiving for Kalamazoo. On the year, Semelsberger has 72 receptions for 892 yards and six touchdowns. McCain has 29 catches for 479 yards and five touchdowns.
Earlham (2-5, 2-2 North Coast Athletic Conference) put on an offensive display by defeating Oberlin (2-5, 2-2) 56-23. It did not matter whether the ball was on the ground or in the air because Earlham scored touchdowns in the running and passing games and added a late defensive score. Senior running back Ben Marschand gained 135 yards on 18 carries, including a 66-yard run and a touchdown. Quarterback Randy Kerns was 18 of 27 for 269 yards and five touchdowns. Kerns spread the ball to five receivers, none of whom gained more than 87 yards.
In his absence, Case Western Reserve (7-0) found other receivers to fill in for Tim Cowdrick. However, the junior returned from an injury in a 50-14 victory over Hiram (2-5, 1-3 NCAC). Cowdrick caught eight passes from quarterback Dan Whalen for 81 yards. Cowdrick caught a pair of 8-yard scores and a 33-yard touchdown with 2:59 remaining in the first half. Case Western Reserve could not have asked for Cowdrick to return at a better time. The Spartans begin defense of their UAA championship with a home game against Chicago on Saturday afternoon.
Bethany (2-5, 1-4 Presidents' Athletic Conference) needed a total team effort in the last two minutes of the game to beat Waynesburg (4-3, 1-2 PAC) 31-24 at home. Quarterback Chad Smith broke the 24-24 tie when he found Marcus Santini for a 26-yard touchdown pass with 1:29 to play. Defensively, the Bison recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass at their 9-yard line to seal the win and protect home field.
Great Lakes teams in the D3football.com Top 25
No. 1 Mount Union (OAC). No change following 55-0 victory over Wilmington
No. 3 Wabash (NCAC). Up three spots with 45-24 victory against Wooster
No. 9 Washington and Jefferson (PAC). No change following 34-7 victory over Westminster (Pa.)
No. 13 Case Western Reserve (UAA). No change after 50-14 victory over Hiram
No. 18 Otterbein (OAC). Up one spot with 38-9 victory over Capital
No. 25 Trine (MIAA). Into the Top 25 with 36-35 victory over Kalamazoo
Others receiving votes: Thomas More (PAC) following 45-14 win over Thiel
Games of the Week
Washington and Jefferson (7-0, 3-0 PAC) at Thomas More (6-1, 5-0), Saturday, Nov. 1, 1:30 p.m.:Something has to give when the Presidents and Saints meet for the Presidents' Athletic Conference championship and an NCAA playoff berth in Kentucky Saturday. The top two offenses and defenses in the PAC will decide who the better team is.
Quarterback Bobby Swallow commands a Washington and Jefferson offense that leads the nation, averaging 47.1 points per game. However he will face Thomas More's defense which surrenders a league-low 17.7 points per game. In last season's meeting, Washington and Jefferson won 42-0 on the road.
Adrian (6-1, 3-0 MIAA) at Alma (4-3, 2-1), Saturday, Nov. 1, 1 p.m.: The Bulldogs cannot get caught looking ahead to their matchup with Trine next Saturday. The lowest-scoring defense in the MIAA will face Alma's high-powered offense that averages 38 points per game.
As a team, Adrian has picked off 10 passes, one more than Alma's Mackenzie McGrady has thrown. Despite nine interceptions on the year, McGrady has tossed 21 touchdowns and is responsible for more than 320 yards per game of total offense.
