#17 Capital 19, Muskingum 13
(NEW CONCORD, Ohio)--Capital University's football team scored 16 points off three Muskingum turnovers in the first half, while the defense had eight sacks and forced five turnovers in a 19-13 Ohio Athletic Conference victory at Muskingum College Saturday in New Concord, Ohio
The Crusaders, ranked No. 17 in the nation, move to 7-2 overall (6-2 OAC) and keep their NCAA Playoff hopes alive, while Muskingum remains winless on the season (0-9 overall, 0-8 OAC).
Capital defense held Muskingum to minus-six yards rushing and 185 total yards, recovered four fumbles and had an interception. The eight sacks also gave the Crusaders a school-single season record 41 sacks. Junior lineman Nick Sadler (Lima/Lima Shawnee) paced the unit with nine tackles, four sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.
Sophomore running back Matt Merritt (Cincinnati/Indian Hill) was one yard off his career-high with 83 yards on 27 carries, while sophomore wide receiver Evan Blake (Kingston/Logan Elm) had a game-high seven receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown.
Muskingum quarterback Andre Nash was 17-of-32 for 164 yards with a touchdown, while his top targets were Josh Graffton and Jack Murray with 77 and 70 yards receiving respectively.
Capital got on the board after an interception by sophomore Ronnie Smith (Columbus/DeSales), the Crusaders moved the ball 26 yards on nine plays before senior Matt Spitz (Xenia/Xenia) kicked a 32-yard field goal to lead 3-0 with 7:16 left in the first quarter. The Muskies then took advantage of a Crusader fumble and went 53 yards in five plays when Marcus Boggs hit Jack Murray on a 27-yard touchdown pass to give Muskingum a 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Capital's first touchdown came early in the second quarter when junior Brett Welch (Marietta/Marietta) recovered an errand option pitch and ran it in five yards for a score to make it 10-7. After Muskingum's third fumble of the half, the Crusaders went 19 yards on a short field to score a touchdown when senior backup quarterback Robbie Thayer (Powell/Olentangy) hit sophomore wide receiver Evan Blake (Kingston/Logan Elm) on a five-yard touchdown pass, the extra point was blocked to make the score 16-7.
The only scoring in the third quarter came on a 35-yard Spitz field goal to extend the Capital lead to 19-7, while the Crusader defense held the Muskingum offense to minus-11 yards on 12 plays for the quarter.
Muskingum closed the gap to 19-13 when Andre Nash capped a 13-play, 89-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Josh Sams.
Capital hosts Baldwin-Wallace College next week in the regular season finale at 1:30 p.m. at Bernlohr Stadium. Parents' and Senior Day activities will highlight the afternoon.