NEW CONCORD, OHIO, November 5, 2011 - The Muskingum University football team lost 28-26 at Ohio Athletic Conference foe Capital University on Saturday.
Muskingum hits the field next against 2nd-ranked University of Mount Union for Senior Day on Saturday, November 12. The game will be broadcast live on WMCO 90.7 FM and simulcast on the Muskingum Web Broadcasting Network located on the Muskingum athletic web site beginning with the pregame show at 1:15 p.m.
With the loss, Muskingum slides to 4-5 overall and 3-5 in the OAC. The win moves Capital to 4-5 overall and 4-4 in league action. Capital used a 10-minute edge in time of possession and a fourth quarter 14-point surge to erase a 19-14 deficit to beat the Muskies.
Muskingum opened the scoring in the first quarter when senior linebacker Ethan Wetzel scooped up a Crusader fumble and raced 35 yards for a touchdown. Following sophomore kicker Caleb Carpenter's extra point, Muskingum led 7-0.
Capital tied the game on a six-yard touchdown pass from Chase Carris to Alex Coleman at the 8:14 mark of the second frame. The score capped off a five-play, 36-yard drive.
The Crusaders extended their lead to 14-7 in the waning seconds of the half when Carris found Coleman for a four-yard score to end a 10-play, 47-yard drive.
The Muskies controlled play in the third quarter. Carpenter booted a 26-yard field goal at the 11:07 mark and connected on a 20-yard field goal at the 6:18 mark to trim the Muskie gap to 14-13. Muskingum took the lead when sophomore quarterback Dalton Smith hit senior wide out Antowan Logan for a 19-yard touchdown with 3:12 left in the third quarter. The Muskies' two point conversion attempt failed and Muskingum led 19-14.
Capital answered the Muskie challenge in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter with a 10-play, 77-yard drive that resulted in a 14-yard touchdown pass from Kory Hartinger to Josh Anderson. Capital completed a two-point conversion to take a 22-19 lead. The Crusaders added its second touchdown in the final quarter on a six-yard touchdown pass from Carris to Matt White with 7:39 left in the game to extend its lead to a two possession game at 28-19.
Muskingum's final tally was on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Smith to sophomore wide out James Washington with five minutes left in the game.
The Muskies were haunted by five turnovers in the game, with one of them leading to a Capital touchdown. The Crusaders also committed four turnovers, with the Muskies mustering 16 points off of them.
Smith ended the game going 24-of-40 for a career-best 300 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Smith has now thrown for 1,683 yards which ranks third all-time at Muskingum for a single season. He also has tallied 2,060 yards of total offense that ranks third all-time at Muskingum.
Washington hauled in a career-high nine receptions for a career-high tying 141 yards and one score. Washington has 738 yards receiving this year which ranks second all-time for a season.
Senior linebacker Alex Thomas led the Muskie defense with 14 stops. Thomas has now registered 289 career stops which ranks fifth all-time at Muskingum. Senior linebacker James Beatty added 10 tackles and one sack, while sophomore Darell Jones and junior Tyler Richardson each logged an interception.
Carris led the Crusader offense, which amassed 434 yards, going 28-of-46 for 323 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Josh Anderson led the rushing attack with 74 yards on 26 totes.
Matt White grabbed 12 balls for 163 yards and one score en route to becoming Capital's all-time career leader in receiving yards.
Antoine Roberts paced the Crusader defense with nine tackles and Tyler Dugan added seven hits.