TIFFIN -- After missing an opportunity to win the game at the end of regulation, the Heidelberg University football landed the knockout punch in overtime -- upending No. 21 John Carroll, 27-21, on Senior Day.  

On the first play after the defense provided a stop on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line, quarterback Drew Sims connected with Brandon Reed in the left corner of the end zone for a 25-yard game-winner.  The touchdown touched off a frenzy in the student section of Hoernemann Stadium and gave HU a signature win in the 2021 season. 

Both teams had 24 first downs and no turnovers -- and were separated by 24 total yards.  

Heidelberg improved to 6-2 on the season while John Carroll slipped to 6-3.  

"I am just so proud of the way our guys competed all day long," said Head Coach Scott Donaldson.  "We played hard and physical enough to beat a great opponent."  

Tailback Montavious Yearby rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns, his 10th career 100+ yard game of his career.  He scored Heidelberg's first two scores of the game -- rushes on 10 and 27 yards.  

Heidelberg led 14-13 at halftime and padded their lead midway through the third.  Sims found Maceo Matthews Jr. in the right side of the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown.  Branden Steckel's third PAT of the day put HU ahead by eight   

Undeterred, JCU went on a six-play, 87-yard drive on the ensuing possession.  Quarterback Jake Floriea hit running back Evan McVay with a 15-yard touchdown pass, then tied the game with a two-point conversion toss to Devin Limerick.  

Each team punted once and missed a field goal in a scoreless fourth quarter that sent the game into overtime -- HU's first overtime game since a 48-45 win over Otterbein in 2017.  

Heidelberg won the toss and elected to start on defense.  The Blue Streaks -- who slipped out of the D3football.com Top 25, but remained in the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 -- rushed the ball four times inside the 10-yard line.  Floriea scrambled for a four-yard gain on third down that put the ball at the two.  Power back Mason Sullivan took the fourth-down carry and plowed straight ahead.  It appeared as though he tripped a bit before being yanked down by Ndeke Tuma just shy of the goal line.  

The Student Princes took their shot on first down.  Seeing man coverage on the left, Sims tweaked the play at the line of scrimmage, then feathered the ball into Reed's hands -- just out of the reach of the JCU defender.  

Sims was 18-of-29 passing for 263 yards and two touchdowns.  Reed hauled in five passes for 95 yards.  

The win was Heidelberg's first victory over a ranked team since a 47-23 win at home against then-No. 9 John Carroll in 2017.  

The regular season concludes next weekend at Ohio Northern.  Kickoff for Bendo Bowl XI is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.