In a span of 30 seconds Saturday afternoon at Don Shula Stadium, John Carroll appeared to have won a game it may not have deserved to win, then lost a game it may not have deserved to lose.
It was that kind of game as Muskingum prevailed, 34-31, on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Jake Burns to Dwight Sutton on the final play of the contest.
Only 28 second prior, John Carroll thought it had made the game-winning play when a wide-open Chris Esparza drifted hauled in a Jeff Javorek pass and strolled in for a 47-yard touchdown.
Box Score
It was a strange game all around between the Blue Streaks and Muskies. John Carroll completely dominated play in the opening 30 minutes, yet the two teams went into the locker room tied at 21-21.
Despite just two first downs and 66 yards of offense in the first half, Muskingum managed 21 points by converting three John Carroll turnovers into scores.
JCU opened the game with an impressive drive, marching 68 yards in eight playes capped by a Jeff javorek 20-yard run.
The Blue Streaks appeared to be ready to score again later in the first quarter with first-and-goal at the five-yard line, but a Javorek fumble turned into a 94-yard fumble return by Chad Bajc that set up a Burns1-yard touchdown. That dramatic turn of events tied the score at 7-7.
Another lengthy drive by JCU, this time with Teree Harris scoring from two-yard out, put JCu ahead 14-7 with six seconds left in the opening period.
But on the next Blue Streaks possession, an ill-advised Javorek pass was intercepted by James Beatty and returned 30 yards for a touchdown. Muskingum tied the score at 14-14 without the benefit of a single first down on offense.
JCU answered with a seven-play, 54-yard touchdown drive that ensded when Scottie Williams scored a touchdown on a nine-yard pass from Javorek.
With less than two minutes left in the half, John Carroll took over deep in its territory looking to maintain or build upon its seven-point lead. Neither happened, as CJ McArthur intercepted a Javorek throw, setting up a short field for the Muskies. Three plays and 24 yards later, Dwight Sutton scored on a three-yard run, and Bill Rini's extra point tied the contest at 21-21 heading into intermission.
The Muskies were much more efficient in the second half, scoring on a 41-yard pass play from Burns to Sutton on the opening drive of the third quarter. That 28-21 lead held until Brad Marchese's 41-yard field goal split the uprights with 4;38 left in the third to cut the Muskies lead to 28-24.
Neither team scored again until Esparza got behind the Muskingum defense on a Javorek roll out and scored the go-ahead touchdown with 28 seconds left int he fourth.
Muskingum got the kickoff to its own 40-yard line, then completed a 28-yard pass from Burns to palmer Smith with less than ten seconds left. After an incomplete pass stopped the clock with three seconds left, Burns hit Sutton in the back of the end zone for the winning play.
John Carroll (3-6, 3-5 OAC) ensured itself its first losing season since 1986 with its fourth consecutive loss following a 3-2 start. Harris and Owens were the stars of the offense on this day, combining for 28 carries and 157 yards rushing. Esparza finished with 65 yards and a touchdown on three receptions.
Muskingum (3-6, 3-5 OAC) was paced by Burns, who accounted for 221 yards of total offense -- 162 through the air, 59 on the ground -- and Sutton, who had 16 yards rushing and one touchdown to go with 89 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
Muskingum snapped a 12-game losing streak to John Carroll in University Heights.