UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio - Despite a dominant defensive effort, Capital University's football team turned the football over nine times as the Crusaders dropped a 13-3 decision to Ohio Athletic Conference foe John Carroll University Saturday at Don Shula Stadium.
The Crusaders, ranked No. 9 in the nation, dropped to 4-2 overall (3-2 OAC), while the Blue Streaks improved to 5-1 and 4-1 in the OAC.
Capital's defense held John Carroll to 103 yards of total offense and just one first down and four yards in the second half. The Crusaders also forced three turnovers, had four sacks and recorded 15 tackles for loss.
In the first quarter, junior Tim Powell (Lima, Ohio/Lima Senior HS) recovered a muffed punt at the John Carroll 23, setting up a 23-yard field goal by Garrett Bennington (Cambridge, Ohio/John Glenn HS) to put the Crusaders ahead 3-0. The Blue Streaks answered with a four-yard touchdown from Mark Petruziello to Rebere Sparks, and John Carroll led 7-3 at the end of the first.
John Carroll started three drives inside the Capital red zone in the second quarter, but the Crusaders defense limited the Blue Streaks to a pair of field goals, and John Carroll took a 13-3 lead into halftime.
The Crusaders turned the ball over three times in the third quarter, but Capital's defense limited the Blue Streaks to minus-one yard of offense. With 1:15 left in the quarter, senior defensive end Nick Sadler (Lima, Ohio/Shawnee HS) forced a fumble, and sophomore Sam Jacobs (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Watterson HS) recovered to set the Crusaders up on John Carroll's 37.
Backup quarterback Nick Alexander (Highland Heights, Ohio/Mayfield HS) connected with senior wideout Derick Alexander (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City HS) for 21 yards to the Blue Streak four-yard line, but Capital couldn't punch it in at the start of the fourth quarter.
Capital outgained John Carroll 222 yards to 103 and had the edge in time of possession, 32:24-27:36. John Carroll had minus-15 yards rushing.
Senior linebacker Pete Ankrom (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield North HS) led the defense with 11 tackles and two sacks, while fellow linebacker Eric Andriacco (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder HS) tallied eight tackles and a sack.
The Crusaders return action at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, as Capital plays host to crosstown rival Otterbein College in Bernlohr Stadium.