The Muskingum University football team lost a Homecoming heartbreaker against Otterbein University in McConagha Stadium on Saturday, 12-10.

The Muskies next travel to Ohio Athletic Conference foe John Carroll University on Saturday, October 19. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on WMCO 90.7 FM and simulcast on the Muskie Sports Network located on the Muskingum athletic web site beginning with the pregame show at 1:15 p.m.

Prior to the game, Muskingum recognized the Homecoming Court Top 3 (Libby Rahe-Queen, Kurt Wolfe-King, Emily McKinley, Stacy Russell, Luke Carmichael, Matt Hall) and at halftime honored the newest inductees into the Athletic Hall of Fame - Dan Wesson '78, Adam Lescalleet '03, Ryan Lescalleet '03, and Nicole Blubaugh Moran '05.

The Muskies had their chances late in the contest to grab the victory. Trailing 12-10 midway through the fourth quarter, sophomore quarterback Cody Williams engineered a 14-play, 60-yard drive that set up a potential game-winning field goal opportunity. However, senior kicker Caleb Carpenter, who connected on a career-high tying 39-yard field goal earlier in the contest, missed a 41-yard attempt wide right with just over a minute to play.

The Muskie defense then stood tall and forced the Cardinals to a three-and-out to give Muskingum one last comeback chance. The Muskies took possession at midfield with 35 seconds on the clock and had their final drive stall at the Otterbein 40-yard line.

Otterbein struck first scoring on a 54-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Sizemore to wide receiver Steven Carpenter. The ensuing extra point by kicker Alana Gaither was missed, giving the Cardinals a 6-0 advantage with 8:59 to play in the second quarter.

Muskingum was able to seize some momentum before the half with a nine-play, 43-yard drive that culminated with Carpenter's 39-yard field goal to cut the Otterbein lead to 6-3 at the break.

The third quarter saw Otterbein score the game-winning touchdown when Sizemore found Carpenter on a 26-yard aerial connection putting the visitors up 12-3. The drive was set up by Jordan Bonifas' interception in the end zone to halt a Muskie scoring drive. Sizemore finished the contest going 13-of-21 for 205 yards and two scores, while rushing for 24 yards on 12 carries. Carpenter finished the day with six receptions for 115 yards and two scores.

The Muskies closed the gap to 12-10 early in the fourth quarter, on a one-yard touchdown plunge by sophomore running back Melvin Smith. The touchdown was the third in two weeks for Smith and ended a 12-play, 84-yard drive.

The Muskie offense, which generated 355 yards, 22 first downs and held an 11-minute edge in time of possession, was led by Williams who finished the contest throwing for 205 yards and rushing for 38 yards on 17 attempts. Smith finished the day with 11 carries for 40 yards and a score. Senior running back Shane Dotson added 13 carries for 62 yards.

Senior receiver James Washington and junior receiver Marvin Morris led the Muskie receiving core. Washington had five receptions for 87 yards, while Morris caught three passes for 36 yards.

Muskingum's defense was led by junior linebacker Damond Goggins and senior linebacker Eric Hall. Goggins made 14 stops with one sack, while Hall had five tackles and one tackle for loss.

Also aiding the defense was freshman defensive back Dominick Williams, sophomore linebacker Steven Vinson, Jr., and sophomore defensive back Ethan Jones. Williams finished with five tackles, while both Vinson, Jr. and Jones each recorded three stops a piece.

Aiding the Otterbein offense was was running back Drew Ervin, who carried the ball 10 times for 21 yards.  Wide receiver Jeremy McCoy added six catches for 85 yards.

Otterbein's defense was led by linebacker's Austin Jones and Eric Mitchell. Jones finished the day with 14 tackles and one forced fumble, while Mitchell collected 11 tackles and had one sack.