TIFFIN, Ohio - Capital University's football team found itself trailing midway through the third quarter but rallied to record a 38-17 victory over host Heidelberg College in the Ohio Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
Heidelberg faked a field goal from inside the Capital 20 and scored a touchdown, with holder Lucas Bauer completing to Jemar Lewis in the end zone that gave the ‘Berg their first lead of the game at 17-16.
A good kick return by junior Tim Connor (Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville HS) set up the Crusaders offense at midfield, and sophomore Dominic D'Andrea (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Bishop Hartley HS) capped off the drive with a three-yard touchdown to put the Crusaders back in front, 23-17, at the end of the third quarter.
Junior safety Brad Pickens (New London, Ohio/Western Reserve HS) quelled Heidelberg's ensuing drive with an interception that put the Crusaders on the Student Prince 46. Quarterback Marty Assmann (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley HS) threw a jump ball to sophomore Matt White (Mason, Ohio/Mason HS) from 20 yards out that he caught over the defender for the touchdown, and D'Andrea ran in for the conversion to make it 31-17 with 11:49 left.
Connor added a touchdown run late to make it 38-17 with 4:51 to seal the win.
The game was scoreless for the first 23 minutes before the Crusaders broke through. Assmann connected with junior Evan Blake (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm HS) streaking down the left sideline for a 48-yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked, keeping it a 6-0 score with 6:59 to go in the second.
Heidelberg kicked a field goal to answer and forced a Capital punt, but junior lineman Josh Ramey (Mansfield, Ohio/Senior HS) sacked ‘Berg quarterback Andrew Miller and forced a fumble, recovered by the Crusaders at the ‘Berg 32. Capital converted on a fourth and 8, and two plays later Assmann and Blake hooked up again for a nine-yard score to give the Crusaders a 13-3 lead into the half.
Freshman Garrett Bennington (Cambridge, Ohio/John Glenn HS) nailed a 32-yard field goal on Capital's opening possession of the second half, but again Heidelberg answered with a touchdown to cut the score to 16-10 with 8:45 left.
The Crusaders churned out 517 yards of offense, including 237 yards on the ground. Assmann completed 22-of-38 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns. D'Andrea had 79 yards rushing on 15 carries, senior Derick Alexander (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City HS) had six grabs for 65 yards and Blake added 71 yards on three catches.
Capital's defense held Heidelberg to 52 yards rushing, 44 coming on one play, and just 1.6 yards per rush. The Crusaders forced five turnovers, with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Ramey recorded three tackles for loss and two sacks.
Capital (2-0, 1-0 OAC) hosts Wilmington at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 at Bernlohr Stadium.