John Carroll Blue Streaks football

Postseason appearances

NCAA Division III playoffs

The Blue Streaks have made nine appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs, with a combined record of 13–9.

Rivals

John Carroll has two predominant rivals.

• Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets – The rivalry dates back to 1923, with John Carroll leading the all-time series 30–25–4. The series drew huge crowds during the 1930s and 1940s during Cleveland's Big Four college football era, when games were played at Cleveland Municipal Stadium and League Park. Since 1989, a rivalry has been dubbed the Cuyahoga Gold Bowl. John Carroll has won nine straight over Baldwin Wallace, including a 29–28 win on November 13, 2021 that featured an 18-point fourth quarter comeback.

• Mount Union Purple Raiders – On November 12, 2016, the Blue Streaks ended Mount Union's 112 regular season game win streak. Mount Union holds a 34–3–2 all-time series lead. John Carroll most recently beat Mount Union in a double overtime victory in the Third Round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs on December 6, 2025.

Notable alumni

John Carroll has been noted as a "springboard" to NFL personnel positions.

• Graham Armstrong – professional football player, Cleveland Rams and Buffalo Bills
• Tom Arth – professional football player, Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers, former head coach for University of Akron
• David Caldwell – former general manager, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Nick Caserio – general manager, Houston Texans
• Enrique Ecker – professional football player, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Washington Redskins
• London Fletcher – professional football player, St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills, and Washington Redskins
• Josh McDaniels – offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, former head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, former head coach of the Denver Broncos
• Brian Polian – college football coach, current athletic director for John Carroll University
• Chris Polian – American football scout and executive, NFL
• Chuck Priefer – former assistant coach, NFL
• Greg Roman – offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers, former for the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Ravens
• Don Shula – professional football player and Hall of Fame coach, Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins
• Carl Taseff – professional football player and coach, Baltimore Colts, Buffalo Bills, and Miami Dolphins
• Tom Telesco – former general manager, Las Vegas Raiders
• Jerry Schuplinski – assistant coach, Houston Texans
• Ken O'Keefe – former quarterbacks coach, University of Iowa
• Nick Caley – offensive coordinator, Houston Texans
• Frank Ross – assistant coach, Houston Texans
• Dave Ziegler – assistant general manager, NFL
• Nick Ciulli - Head Football Coach, North Royalton High School, 21 seasons

References

References

1. "John Carroll Athletics – Don Shula Stadium at Wasmer Field".
2. "Rick Finotti Steps Down as Head Football Coach; Drew Nystrom Named Interim Coach".
3. "2022 Football Schedule".
4. (November 14, 2019). "Football Hosts #10 John Carroll in Regular Season Finale and 31st Cuyahoga Gold Bowl Game".
5. Watterson, John Sayle. (November 14, 2002). "College Football: History, Spectacle, Controversy". JHU Press.
6. "Wild Saturday in Berea: Football Upsets Baldwin Wallace in Legendary Comeback".
7. "DIII: John Carroll ends Mount Union's 112-game winning streak | NCAA.com".
8. "College football preview: Mount Union at John Carroll".
9. Hill, Adam. (September 29, 2023). "McDaniels, Ziegler products of NFL pipeline at tiny Ohio college". [[Las Vegas Review-Journal]].
10. Volin, Ben. (September 1, 2019). "How a small Division 3 college in Ohio helped fuel the Patriots dynasty". [[The Boston Globe]].
11. (January 9, 2020). "John Carroll Alumni in the NFL {{!}} News Center". [[John Carroll University]].