Defenders are often in Marshall Howell's rear view. JCU athletics photo by John Reid III

John Carroll wasn’t sure what to expect out of its offense this season.

The Blue Streaks graduated many of their top players from last year’s squad that went 11-2 and lost to Mount Union in the D-III quarterfinals. Quarterback Mark Myers, running back Tommy Michals, and wide receiver Aramis Greenwood departed from a team that averaged 48.2 points per game.

One big piece of the puzzle returned in Marshall Howell. He emerged as one of the OAC’s top receivers as he led the team with 1,126 yards.

“He was fortunate playing in a great offense with a great receiver in Aramis Greenwood. There were a lot of weapons out there and he took advantage of the opportunity he had,” John Carroll coach Tom Arth said. “He has had to step up and be the go-to guy for the group. He is the veteran guy now. That’s the one thing we look to him for and rely on him to set the tone for the group and be the example we want out there.”

The junior hasn’t missed a beat this season. He racked up 657 yards and 10 touchdowns in seven games played for John Carroll (7-1).

“Marshall has played great for us,” Arth said. “He has made a lot of big plays.”

Howell accepted a leadership role on and off the field.

“I felt used to having such a great older group around me. I finally understood what the coaches wanted me to do. I was more willing to take on that role as a veteran,” he said.

Howell has helped spearhead a new-look offense that includes guys like quarterback Jake Schaefer, running backs Ro Golphin and Arin Pruitt and receiver Jordan D’Orazio taking on expanded roles from last year.

The squad was tested right away. After a 26-3 win over St. Vincent, the team had slim victories over Heidelberg (23-16) and Baldwin Wallace (17-14) before it dropped a 30-27 decision to Ohio Northern. From that point, though, the team responded in a big way with four straight wins in which it outscored its foes 175-24.

“We are starting to jell together,” Howell said. “We figured out what we needed to do as a group to put up points. That’s been key.”

While John Carroll’s offense continues to pile up points, Howell continues to climb up the program and OAC ranks. Already, he owns John Carroll’s career TD reception mark (27) and is on pace to claim the reception (204) and yardage (2,580) records as well. He’s projected to finish among the OAC’s top 10 in those categories as well.

“Honestly, I don’t pay attention to any of that. Right now, I am just taking it one game at a time. I am still learning to be a receiver,” he said. “I believe my routes have improved. Just being able to understand the defense more and create more separation has helped elevate my game.”

Howell played receiver as a junior in high school, but moved to running back his senior year. He found a niche right away with the Blue Streaks as a receiver his freshman year. He had 22 catches for 428 yards as a freshman before a back injury ended his season after five games.

“Marshall fought hard to get back and had an incredible season for us last year,” Arth said. “I look at him as a great football player over just being a receiver. He has developed into a great receiver, but he is incredibly versatile. He can line up anywhere on the field. He understands our offense as well as everybody. There’s not a route we don’t ask him to run.

“He is a very physical player. He can make a catch underneath and break a bunch of tackles. He is an excellent blocker in the run game. When he latches onto someone, he is very strong and has helped us have some explosive runs this year as well.”

While 2015 is far from complete -- a big showdown with Mount Union looms after Saturday’s game against Otterbein -- Howell and John Carroll look forward to what all he can do next season as well.

“I feel like another year will help me elevate my game even more,” Howell said.

Game of the week

Albion overcame a 55-51 upset loss to Trine with a 49-21 victory over previously unbeaten Olivet. The Britons (7-1) gained a share of first place in the MIAA with the win. At 4-1 in the conference, the team can wrap up a share of its 36th league crown with a win over Alma on Saturday.

Down to the wire

Marko Adams kicked a 42-yard field goal with 2.5 seconds left to lift DePauw to a 31-29 win at Denison in a key NCAC clash. The Tigers (7-1), coming of a 27-22 setback to Ohio Wesleyan, took over sole possession of second place with the victory. After a Saturday clash with Oberlin, conference leader Wabash awaits. DePauw had a 28-19 lead through three quarters before Denison scored 10 points in less than seven minutes in the final frame.

What to watch

Thomas More at Case Western Reserve. Essentially, this is the PAC championship game as the high-powered Saints (9-0) visit the Spartans (7-1). Both squads are unbeaten in conference play as Thomas More is 7-0, while CWRU is 6-0. This should be quite the clash as there are not many weaknesses with these two teams. The Saints have clinched at least a share of the conference crown as this is their last regular season game. The Spartans visit Carnegie Mellon next week.

Broken records

Program and conference records were shattered in Bethany’s 58-26 win over Grove City. Bison junior running back Jalen Holmes rushed for a program-best 341 yards, which broke former Thomas More standout Domonique Hayden’s PAC mark (336). Holmes became Bethany’s single-season rushing leader in touchdowns (14) and yardage (1,269) as well.

For Grove City, quarterback Caleb Jakiel passed for a program-best 428 yards. He added 56 yards rushing for 484 yards of total offense, which is a program record as well.

In the polls

No. 1 Mount Union (8-0) blanked Otterbein, 55-0. The Purple Raiders play host to Baldwin Wallace on Saturday.

No. 9 Wabash (8-0) defeated Ohio Wesleyan, 34-10. The Little Giants enter a tough stretch as they welcome Denison and travel to DePauw.

No. 12 Thomas More (9-0) defeated Waynesburg, 42-13. The Saints visit Case Western Reserve for the outright PAC championship Saturday.

No. 15 John Carroll (7-1) posted its second straight shutout with a 30-0 win against Muskingum. The Blue Streaks visit Otterbein on Saturday.

No. 18 Case Western Reserve (6-1) moved up five spots in the poll after its 34-16 win over Washington U. The Spartans welcome Thomas More for their biggest game of the season.