COLUMBUS, Ohio – Homestanding Capital could not muster enough offense to prevent its third-straight loss of the season, 38-9 to Otterbein on Hall of Fame Saturday at Bernlohr Stadium.
The game marked the first time in a series that dates back to 1927 that both Capital (4-3, 3-3 OAC) and Otterbein (7-0, 6-0 OAC) met while nationally ranked. The meeting between the #21 Crusaders and #19 Cardinals was played in front of a capacity crowd of 3,000 fans that helped the Capital University SAAC collect approximately 1,000 non-perishable food items to benefit the Holy Family Soup Kitchen in Columbus.
Although the final statistics would show Otterbein hold a 477-182 lead in total offense and a 37:16 to 22:44 advantage in time of possession, both sides played evenly through the first half of the contest as Capital controlled the ball for 10:32 in the second quarter alone.
Overall, the Capital offense was led on the ground by junior running back Tim Connor (Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville HS) who had 15 carries for career-high 77 yards. He was followed by senior Derick Alexander (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City HS) who had three rushes for 23 yards to go along with five receptions for 26 yards and five kickoff returns for 141 yards including a 61-yard scamper in the second quarter to setup Capital’s lone touchdown of the afternoon. Alexander now has 104 career receptions in a Crusader uniform
Overall, sophomore Nick Alexander (Highland Heights, Ohio/Mayfield HS) completed 17-of-28 passes for 114 yards with one touchdown and one interception while completing passes to six different receivers in his first career start.
The linebacker duo of senior Pete Ankrom (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield North HS) and sophomore Sam Jacobs (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Watterson HS) had busy days for the Crusader defense. Each tallied 16 tackles with Ankrom making 13 solo stops while Jacobs had 10 solo tackles including one sack.
Capital will play host to Muskingum on Senior Day next Saturday (Nov. 1) at Bernlohr Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET.