The Muskingum football team stumbled in Ohio Athletic Conference play at Heidelberg on Saturday afternoon, 54-21.
The Muskies next host Otterbein for Homecoming on Saturday, October 18. Game time is slated for 1:30 p.m. in McConagha Stadium and will feature a special halftime ceremony honoring Muskingum's 2014 Athletic Hall of Fame Class of Dr. Steve Kokovich '63, Richard "CC" Rider '65, Kristen Vejsicky McLane '01, and Cheryl Davies Ficco '04.
The Muskies (1-4, 1-3) scored the final 21 points of the game during the last seven minutes of play.
The scoring started when freshman William Cole-Young rumbled for a two-yard touchdown run to cap off a 14-play, 71-yard drive. Sophomore Griffin Degener, who was making his first collegiate start, then hit senior Marvin Morris for a 36-yard touchdown pass with 5:19 to play. Junior Dorian Maynard capped of the scoring with a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown with 3:33 on the clock.
Heidelberg (4-1, 3-1) raced out to a 33-0 lead in the first half to take control of the contest. The 'Berg surge was highlighted by two blocked punts in the second quarter that were both returned for touchdowns.
Heidelberg extended its lead to 54-0 early in the fourth quarter on Cartel Brooks' two-yard touchdown run.
Muskingum ended the outing with 324 yards of offense. Degener went 9-of-17 for 81 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He also added 42 yards rushing on 17 totes.
Sophomore Melvin Smith paced the ground game with 11 carries for 92 yards. Freshman Aron Sutton had 46 yards rushing on four carries.
Morris led the Muskie receivers with three receptions for 62 yards and a score. Freshman Damon Jones had two grabs for 21 yards.
Junior Chaney Fulton paced the defensive effort with 13 tackles. Maynard and freshman Mick Fishel each had six stops.
Micheal Mees directed the Heidelberg offense, which churned out 494 yards, going 13-of-20 for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Mees also added 48 yards on the ground on three totes.
Brooks rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Donteea Dye led all receivers with six receptions for 154 yards and two scores.
Chris Jones logged nine stops to pace the 'Berg defense.
