College notes: Columbia grad Carson Heidecker finds new home, championship at OU

When one door closed for Carson Heidecker, another one opened. After Notre Dame College shut down, Heidecker transferred to Ohio University. The redshirt senior and former Columbia standout started all but two games on the offensive line and helped the Bobcats defeat Miami (Ohio) 38-3 in the Mid-American Conference championship game at Ford Field in Detroit to win their first league title since 1968. The win earned Ohio University a spot in the Cure Bowl against Jacksonville State at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Dec. 20 at noon. ESPN will televise the game. "It's honestly been surreal almost," Heidecker said. "You come in with a new roster, new guys. Everyone wants to win the championship, but it's hard to think about that when you first show up on campus. Then when you realize that the culture here and everything that's been built here, they've set it up where you can come in and you can compete just because of the guys here and everything. For me personally, it's felt good because this was my first ever championship game. It was all on the line for one game. It was sweet to be part of that and sweet to be part of history." Heidecker spent his first four seasons with Notre Dame College in Division II, but was forced into the transfer portal when the school closed at the end of the 2024 school year. He was a first-team All-American right guard, just the fifth offensive lineman to be named All-American in school history. He also was a two-time first-team All-Mountain East Conference selection. In 2023, he started every game at right guard, helping the Falcons average more than 202.2 rushing yards per game and 411.9 yards of total offense. The school's closure forced every athlete into the transfer portal. At the time, Heidecker said it was rough trying to balance academics while also looking for a new home. But he trained as if there was a fall season on the horizon to stay ready for the offers that arrived. "I trusted my faith and knew you're not put in any situation you're not supposed to be in," Heidecker said. "He always has a plan for me, so trust in that, trust in the process. And just coming into Ohio University, the people here are amazing. I don't think there's a word to really say how amazing this place is. It's something special. You think it's a small town in southern Ohio. I've been here a few months and it's home. The people, my teammates have welcomed me with open arms. There was no weird block of time where I was the new guy. As soon as I showed up in July, the team said let's go. I was welcomed as a brother immediately not only as a team but in the community." Multiple Division I schools pursued Heidecker, who started at left tackle for the first five games this season before missing the next two with a knee injury. When he returned, he slotted at right tackle and was moved to left guard two games later, where he's played ever since. Heidecker was named second-team All-MAC after being a key reason why the Bobcats led the MAC in total yards (4,731) and average yards per game (394.3) in the regular season. Ohio led the MAC in four rushing categories during the regular season — total yards (2,526), average yards per game (210.5), average yards per touch (5.2) and touchdowns (29). "I think this offensive line is the most special offensive line in the country by far," Heidecker said. "If you look, really not many of us should be Division I offensive linemen. We have a 6-foot left tackle, 6-3 left guard, 6-foot center. That's not supposed to be the case. You just look at an offensive line, this shouldn't be an offensive line if you just look at the height. But I think we have the most heart any offensive line could ever have. It doesn't matter how big we are, we're going to go out there and scrap and fight." Going bowling Four other former Lorain County standouts were part of the Bobcats championship: redshirt freshman defensive tackle Austin Mitchell (Avon), redshirt junior running back Devon Hunter (Avon), freshman safety Carson Canning (Avon) and redshirt freshman wide receiver Matthew Stuewe (Avon Lake). Of the four, Mitchell is the only one who's seen playing time, appearing in five games with three total tackles and a half-sack this season. A number of other area athletes are on rosters of postseason-bound teams: Ohio State qualified for the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff and earned the No. 8 seed. The Buckeyes will host Tennessee on Dec. 21. While not a bowl game, the winner will advance to the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 and face No. 1 Oregon. Freshmen brothers Deontae and Devontae Armstrong (St. Edward/Elyria residents) have not seen time on the offensive line this season. Myrtle Beach Bowl, Dec. 23 at 11 a.m. — Linebacker Wyatt Gedeon (St. Edward/Avon Lake) has played in 10 games for Coastal Carolina, recording 36 tackles, two for a loss and one sack while also forcing a fumble, recovering a fumble and recording one interception. The Chanticleers will face the University of Texas at San Antonio. GameAbove Sports Bowl, Dec. 26 at 2 p.m. — Pittsburgh, which will take on Toledo, features Branson Taylor (Elyria Catholic), a redshirt senior who starts at left tackle. 68 Ventures Bowl, Dec. 26 at 9 p.m. — Bowling Green redshirt junior Alex Padgett (Avon Lake) has played in all 12 games, becoming a key piece of the offensive line. The Falcons will face Arkansas State. Talkin' 'bout playoffs Slippery Rock advanced to the Final Four of the Division II tournament, defeating California (Pennsylvania) 31-13 in the quarterfinals. Matt Muir (Avon) has not seen action on the offensive line this season. Slippery Rock will face Ferris State in the semifinals Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The winner will play in the championship Dec. 21. Grand Valley State lost 44-26 to Harding on Nov. 30 in the second round of the Division II tournament. Redshirt freshman Isaiah Johnson (Elyria) saw regular playing time at linebacker. Mount Union defeated Carnegie Mellon 24-19 in the third round of the Division III tournament. Junior Giovanni Kennedy (St. Edward/Avon resident) has been a regular starter on the offensive line for the Purple Raiders. Mount Union will face Salisbury in the quarterfinals Saturday. John Carroll University reached the second round of the Division III tournament, losing 42-7 to Mount Union. Junior linebacker Kenny Grobolsek (Brookside) and sophomore defensive back Thomas Niederst (Elyria Catholic) both saw action. Notable locals Nathanial Vakos (Avon) and Wisconsin's season came to an end without a bowl invite. The junior kicker was 12-of-19 on field goal attempts, with one of them blocked, while making all 31 of his point-after tries. Redshirt sophomore Gideon Lampron (Keystone) was a first-team All-Pioneer Football League selection after being a cornerstone on Dayton's defense that allowed the fewest yards (242.9) in FCS football this season. He announced on X that he has entered the transfer portal with two years of eligibility left. For additions to the college notebook, contact Chris Sweeney at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. Follow him @CSweeney1686 on X.