Capital used a 32-point surge midway through the game to hand Muskingum a 39-28 setback on Saturday night in Columbus, Ohio.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (1-2 overall, 0-2 OAC), Capital (1-1 overall, 1-0 OAC)
• Location: Columbus, Ohio - Bernlohr Stadium
• Weather: 80 degrees and partly cloudy

How It Happened

• Muskingum scored the first touchdown of the game on a 46-yard pass from sophomore running back Benard Johnson to senior wide out Damon Jones. The score put the Muskies up 7-0 at the 6:04 mark of the first quarter.
• Capital answered with a 10-play, 61-yard drive that ended with Nick Iske hauling in a one-yard pass from Thomas Wibbeler.
• The Muskies responded with a seven-play, 70-yard drive that culminated with Johnson scoring on a seven-yard run. The strike gave Muskingum a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter.
• The Crusaders ended the first half with two touchdown drives to take a 20-14 edge into the break.
• Capital took control of the outing by scoring 19 straight points in the third quarter to take a 39-14 lead.
• The Muskies scored two touchdowns in the fourth, including one on junior defensive back Cle'Von Burch's 90-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the waning seconds of the game. It marked Muskingum's first fumble recovery for a touchdown since 2011 when Muskie current defensive coordinator Ethan Wetzel returned one 35 yards for a score at Capital.

Inside The Numbers

• Johnson led the Muskie offense rushing for a career-high 131 yards and two touchdowns on 17 totes. He also went 1-for-1 passing for 46 yards and one score.
• Freshman quarterback Brody Hahn went 10-for-21 for 115 yards. He also added 82 yards on the ground.
• Jones led the Muskie receivers with three grabs for 81 yards and one touchdown.
• Senior linebacker Mick Fishel notched a team-best 14 stops.
• Wibbeler led the Crusader offense throwing for 305 yards and three touchdowns on 18-of-33 passing.
• Cory Heeter rushed for 99 yards and one score on 13 carries.
• Eric Stroski led the Capital defense with eight stops and one interception.

Up Next

• Muskingum next plays at Marietta on Saturday, September 23. The game is slated for a 1:30 p.m. start. The contest will mark the annual Shriner Game between the Muskies and Pioneers. Muskingum leads the Shriner series, 7-1.