ADA, Ohio - Four turnovers and a dominant rushing attack by Ohio Northern sent Capital's football team to a 36-21 defeat in Ohio Athletic Conference play Saturday at Dial-Robertson Stadium.
The Crusaders dropped to 5-4 (4-4 OAC) with the defeat, while the Polar Bears improved to 4-5 (4-4) OAC.
ONU jumped out to a 13-0 lead six minutes into the game as the Polar Bears returned an interception for a touchdown and had a short eight-play, 33-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown on their ensuing possession.
The Polar Bears added another touchdown at the start of the second quarter on a Brent Donley. Capital got on the board at the 8:15 mark when senior Joey Riley (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City HS) recovered a muffed punt in the end zone for a touchdown.
After ONU tacked on a field goal, junior running back Tim Connor (Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville HS) scored on a six-yard run to make it 22-14 with 4:17 left in the third. But ONU scored a TD on the next possession to regain a two-score lead.
ONU gained 226 yards rushing to just 18 for the Crusaders, with Donley picking up 163. Connor finished with 36 yards and a career-high two touchdowns, while senior Derick Alexander (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City HS) had a game-high eight receptions and Evan Blake (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm HS) had 61 yards receiving.
Senior linebackers Pete Ankrom (Springfield, Ohio/North HS) and Eric Andriacco (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder HS) both made nine tackles to lead the Capital defense.
The Crusaders close out the regular season with a 1:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday at Baldwin-Wallace College.