The Muskingum football team was haunted by four turnovers after halftime en route to dropping a heartbreaking 27-24 overtime contest at Capital on Saturday afternoon.
The Muskies now stand at 1-8 overall and 1-7 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Muskingum next hosts rival Marietta for Senior Day on Saturday, November 16 at 1:30 p.m in McConagha Stadium. The game will also mark the fifth meeting between the schools in the annual Shriners Game. Muskingum leads the series 4-0.
Muskingum saw a 24-7 lead midway through the second quarter evaporate over the final 35 minutes of play. Capital ended the outing scoring 20 unanswered points, including the game-winning 20-yard field goal in overtime. The kick, which was partially deflected by freshman defensive back Tyler Lancaster, hit the right upright and ricocheted through to end the game.
Following a Capital opening game touchdown drive, Muskingum responded with a seven-play, 59-yard drive that ended with sophomore quarterback Cody Williams scoring on a five-yard touchdown run.
Sophomore running back Melvin Smith plowed in for a two-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to give Muskingum a 14-7 lead.
Muskingum extended its lead to 21-7 on Smith's second two-yard touchdown run. The score, which was two minutes later, was set up by a Capital fumble.
The Muskies' final score came on a 32-yard field goal by senior kicker Caleb Carpenter. The nine-play, 24-yard drive was aided by a Capital fumble.
Capital completed the first half scoring on an eight-play, 60-yard drive that resulted in Chase Longwell's one-yard touchdown run right before the half.
Muskingum seemed poised to extend its lead on the opening drive of the second half. The Muskies pieced together a six-play, 75-yard drive that ended with heartbreak with Williams fumbling the ball on the Capital one-yard line.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Crusaders used an interception to produce a 21-yard field goal by Joey Riley at the 9:34 mark of the fourth frame.
Capital forced overtime with a four-play, 31-yard drive that culminated with Brent Walton's three-yard touchdown run late in the fourth.
Muskingum's opening possession in overtime was over fast with Williams' fumble on a second-and-10 play.
Muskingum generated 273 yards of offense, with 240 yards coming on the ground. Senior running back Shane Dotson led the rushing attack with 115 yards on 21 carries. Williams added 78 yards on 15 totes with one score. Smith had 48 yards on seven carries with two scores.
Junior linebackers Zach Berry and Damond Goggins led the Muskie defense with 13 and nine stops, repectively. Senior linebacker Erik Hall added eight tackles.
Capital churned out 346 yards of offense, with 288 yards coming on the ground. Walton led the effort with 100 yards on 22 carries with one touchdown. Bo Hardy added 67 yards on six carries with one score and Longwell contributed 51 yards on 21 totes with one score.
Dom Hebebrand and TJ Langermeier led the Crusader defense with seven tackles each.
