BOX SCORE MARIETTA, Ohio- An opportunistic defense and career day by senior quarterback Marty Assmann (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley HS) ignited #22/25 Capital (3-0, 2-0 OAC) to a 37-13 victory over host Marietta (2-2, 1-2 OAC).
The Crusaders improved to 4-0 for the fourth consecutive season behind a stingy defense that forced five Pioneer turnovers, while Assmann threw for a career-high four touchdown passes. Assmann directed a CU offense that compiled 364 total yards and scored on their first three possessions en route to a 27-0 halftime lead.
Assmann finished 11-of-18 for 202 yards through the air. Junior Ryan Gunnarson (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland HS) was the main beneficiary with three catches for 76 yards and one score. Senior Evan Blake (Circleville, Ohio/Logan Elm HS) also had three receptions for 68 yards and two touchdowns while senior Armando Ancona (Johnston, Ohio/Johnstown-Monroe HS) had two catches including one touchdown.
Sophomore placekicker Garrett Bennington (Cambridge, Ohio/John Glenn HS) was also 3-for-3 in field goal attempts with makes of 29, 23 and 25 yards.
"We had the balance on offense that you want to have. Marty (Assmann) had a great game, not committing any turnovers and throwing four touchdown passes," head coach Jim Bickel said. "Our defense really created some turnovers that stopped some good Marietta drives in the first half."
After senior Brad Pickens (New London, Ohio/ Western Reserve HS) forced fumble and Ronnie Smith's (Westerville, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales HS) recovery thwarted Marietta's first drive, Assmann quickly found Gunnarson on a deep post for a 43-yard touchdown just 3:44 into the contest. Assmann kept the drive alive on the previous play by converting a third down and six by scampering for 17 yards to set up his eighth touchdown pass of the season.
"Getting a turnover on the game's first possession was big because it gave us confidence and the momentum early, and it gave our offense a chance to the game's first points," Pickens said.
Assmann went right back to the air on CU's next possession, finding for a 54-yard touchdown strike to Blake that put the Crusaders ahead 14-0 lead with 7:14 left in the opening quarter. The seven-play, 79-yard drive was prolonged by junior Dominic D'Andrea's (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Bishop Hartley HS) 29-yard catch and carry on a third and nine situation. Throwing into a strong wind throughout the first half, Assmann completed 8-of-13 passes for 154 yards.
"Their defense came into the game trying to take away our running game by putting eight guys in the box. We just took what they gave us and got some good passing plays downfield," Assmann said. "The receivers are a smart guys who did a really good job of working hard and keeping plays alive."
Senior running back Matt Merritt (Cincinnati, Ohio/Indian Hill HS) got into the act on Capital's third drive of the quarter, slashing for 26 yards on four carries to set up Bennington's 29-yard field goal that increased CU's lead to 17-0 with 2:07 remaining in a first quarter that saw Capital outgain Marietta 192-55.
Capital's hard hitting defense recorded their fourth fumble recovery of the opening quarter when freshman Jay Bondzeleske's (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Watterson HS) jarring hit forced a Pioneer fumble that Pickens scooped up at the Marietta 26-yard line. The turnover set up a Bennington 23-yard field goal to put CU ahead 20-0 with 8:56 left in the first half.
"This was the first game this season where out mindset of getting turnovers come to fruition on the field," Pickens said. "It's always nice to set up your offense with scoring opportunities. Our offense really capitalized and took pressure off of us by putting points on the score board early."
Junior defensive back Drew Stimmel's (Delaware, Ohio/Delaware Hayes HS) interception on Pioneers' 38-yard-line set up Crusaders' fifth scoring possession of the first half. With time running out in the first half and Capital at Marietta's five-yard line, Assmann rolled out and found Blake in the right side of the end zone for the duo's second touchdown of the game, as CU's lead swelled to 27-0 with just one second left in the half.
"Our defense is great. They're a veteran group that forced turnovers today and really helped us out by putting our offense in great field position," Assmann said.
The Crusaders' prolific offense continued to roll in the third quarter, as Assmann began the second half by rolling to his left and threading a dart into the arms of Ancona in the front left of the end zone to increase the Crusader lead to 34-0 just 36 seconds into the second half. Ancona was able to break free from two Pioneer defenders to record his third receiving touchdown of the season.
After Blake recovered a Pioneer onside kick with 6:44 left in the game, the Crusaders gained 33 yards on eight consecutive running plays to set up a Bennington 25-yard field goal to give CU a 37-13 victory.
"The special teams really stepped up today, averaging over 45 yards a punt and having a perfect day in terms of kicking field goals," Bickel said. "While it's nice to have a reliable field goal kicker, we need to get more touchdowns in the red zone."
Capital will return home for its annual homecoming game next Saturday as it plays host to #1 Mount Union in a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.