TIFFIN -- The Heidelberg University football team entered Saturday's game against No. 10 John Carroll boasting the nation's best punt coverage unit.  One hiccup cost the Student Princes a shot at a monumental upset. 

A 65-yard punt return by Nate Leopold set JCU with great field position in the fourth quarter.  The Blue Streaks cashed in with what amounted to the game-winning touchdown in a 17-13 slugfest on a blustery November afternoon.  

Heidelberg dropped to 6-3 overall, 5-3 in the OAC.  John Carroll -- 8-1, 7-1 -- bolstered its resume for a Pool C bid in the NCAA Tournament with the victory.  

KEY STATS:
Passing the ball, Jimmy Gephart threw for 201 yards and a touchdown on just 17 completions on 40 pass attempts. On the ground, Jace Grossman carried the ball 20 times for 84 yards. Tayy Yearby was held to a meek 24 yards. 

The Student Princes picked off John Carroll four times, including two from Elijah Brechbill and one each from Jayden Stanton and Tramon Wiley. 

Zach Blackiston totaled nine tackles, while Brechbill added eight. Loren Sauve was credited with a blocked field goal.  

HOW IT HAPPENED: 
Heidelberg capitalized on their first drive of the day with a field goal off the foot of Branden Steckel. A crucial 39-yard completion from Gephart to Nick Cofer set up the 24-yard kick.

The Blue Streaks responded swiftly with a 28-yard field goal of their own from Anthony Lupo, in nearly identical fashion as Steckel's.

A stalled drive for the Berg resulted in a win-deadened punt from Parker Smith that set up a short field for John Carroll. However, the Berg defense forced Lupo into a 37-yard try, which was knocked down by Loren Sauve. 

John Carroll added a touchdown on their next drive as Michael Canganelli punched in a fourth-and-one. Lupo's PAT was good to move the lead to 10-7. 

From there in the first half, the defense from both sides played the part. With under a minute left in the first half, the Berg defense held strong and stuffed Canganelli from his second fourth down one-yard touchdown of the game. Damontae Richmond and Elijah Brechbill converged to stop him short. 

Defense showed up early in the second half as both teams forced early punts. John Carroll's second drive of the half, Jayden Stanton intercepted a deflected Jake Floriea pass and returned it 34 yards giving the Berg great field position. 

However, with the field position, the Berg was forced forced into a fourth-down turnover as Gephart's pass to Keivon Belcher fell just out of reach in the end zone. 

With the Blue Streaks back with the ball, Floriea tried to go over the top twice. The first was flagged for pass interference, the second was picked off by Brechbill to give the Berg offense the ball back. 

On the ensuing drive, Gephart took his shot over the top and connected with Maceo Matthews for 42 yards to the JCU five-yard line. Two plays later, the same connection took place as Matthews punched in a quick screen pass for the score. Steckel's PAT was good to knot the score at 10 a-piece. 

With the ball back after a three-and-out for John Carroll, Heidelberg really worked hard for their next score -- a 31-yard field goal from Steckel — that gave them back the lead for the first time since the 7:03 mark of the first quarter. In the drive, Jace Grossman picked up a critical fourth down and three conversion that set up the field goal attempt. 

With the Blue Streaks pressuring, the Berg defense stepped up once again. The first play in the fourth quarter, Floriea threw his third interception of the game as Tramon Wiley picked off yet another deflected pass. The pick was Wiley's league leading sixth of the season. 

The drive stalled, but on fourth down, Parker Smith pinned the Blue Streaks at the two with a perfectly placed punt out of bounds, forcing a lengthy field for JCU. 

From the two, Floriea was under pressure in the end zone and tried to connect with Evan Nugent. Floriea once again under threw his man and Brechbill stepped in to intercept the pass at the 36 yard line for his second of the game. 

However, the Blue Streaks defense once again stopped the Student Princes, leading to another punt. Nate Leopold returned from his own 10, 65 yards for JCU, setting up great field position.  With the positioning, Canganelli showed up for John Carroll and punched in a 14-yard rush. Lupo converted the PAT and pushed the score 17-14 in favor of the Blue Streaks. 

Protecting the narrow lead, John Carroll decided to keep the ball on the ground, and to good effect. The Blue Streaks ran-out the clock, including a critical fourth down conversion by Floriea. After the conversion, victory formation ensued for JCU, sealing the 17-13 win. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
Heidelberg had four interceptions for the first time since a win over then #9 John Carroll in September of 2017. 

Tramon WIley leads the OAC with six interceptions.

FOR THE OPPONENT:
Michael Canganelli carried the ball for 154 yards and both John Carroll touchdowns. Floriea passed for 238 yards for JCU. 

Brian Robinson, Luke Brown, and Conner Bogard all had eight tackles. 

FROM THE HEAD COACH:
Head coach Scott Donaldson on the game: "We played our hearts out. A few mental mistakes when we needed to make the plays, especially in the red zone … that doesn't take anything away from our unbelievable effort and fight."

Donaldson on the four second half interception: "We need to make those plays in the secondary, and our guys up front were able to pressure the quarterback into some bad decisions … it was unbelievable."

Donaldson on the seniors final game at Hoernemann Stadium: "That's what's so heartbreaking about this game. I really wanted my seniors — who are my first recruiting class as a head coach — to go out of this stadium on a high note. These guys just mean so much to me and the staff that it's extra heartbreaking we couldn't send them out with a win." 

SENIOR DAY:
On senior day, the following participants were honored for their contributions to Heidelberg football, cheerleading athletic training, and marching band over the years. 

Senior players Keivon Belcher, Elijah Brechbill, Jimmy Gephart, Verondtae Wilkinson, Dylan Marder, Tanner Vitaz, Barry Middleton, James Jacobs, Tyler Matuszak, Jumanne Mayberry, Patrick McCarthy, Brad Wienhold, Gabe Smythe, Malakye Nall, Kris Wingerd, Ryan Compean, Cole Goldsmith, Brandon Magee, Loren Sauve, Matt Meyers and Matt Davenport. 

Football team manager, Leia Moore and student assistant coach Jake Jenne. 

Cheerleaders Samantha Bensman, Vivian Brauer, Taylor Buhrts, Mallory Paul, Bethany Redman, Abigail Reichert, Veronica Rodriguez, Maddie Sanoba.

Athletic training students Madison Alfrey, Maddy Crawford, and Tristan Phillips. 

Marching band, Rory Bage, Maia Brower, Madison Flory, Megan Gwirtz, Isaiah Johnson, Marques Johnson, Olivia Long, Paul Reese, Brenda Waite, and Bernadette Wolfe. 
  
UP NEXT: 
The Student Princes will conclude the regular season on the road at Ohio Northern University next Saturday. Kickoff in Ada is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.  The game marks the annual Bendekovic Bowl celebration.