The Muskingum football team opened its 2016 season with a 17-16 win at Waynesburg on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.
Muskingum grabbed a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on senior running back Jordan Scanlon's 10-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Griffin Degener. The three-play, 16-yard drive was set up by a Waynesburg fumble that senior linebacker Chaney Fulton recovered.
The Muskies extended their lead to 10-0 on senior kicker Cody Dent's 33-yard field goal with 7:30 to play in the second quarter. The score ended a 14-play, 63-yard drive.
Waynesburg trimmed its deficit to 10-7 with 44 seconds to play in the half with a two-yard touchdown pass from Jake Dougherty to Alex Watts. The touchdown capped off a nine-play, 48-yard drive.
The Yellow Jackets opened the second half with a five-play, 98-yard drive that culminated with a Dougherty 52-yard touchdown pass to Mitch Kendra. The score gave Waynesburg its first lead of the contest at 14-10.
Muskingum answered the Wayensburg challenge with a quick four-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a 42-yard touchdown pass from Degener to junior wide out Damon Jones. The score gave the Muskies a 17-14 lead with 10:53 to play in the third quarter. The strike was Degener's second TD pass of the game.
Muskie senior safety Melvin Smith, who switched to defense after three years of running back, halted a fourth quarter Waynesburg drive deep in Muskingum territory with his first career interception.
Waynesburg clawed to within one (17-16) on a safety with 9:11 to play after Degener was sacked in the end zone on the following possession after the Smith interception.
The Yellow Jackets had a chance to take the lead with 1:18 to play, but Garrett Guthrie's 32-yard field goal attempt hit the left upright.
Muskingum ended the outing with 212 yards on 60 plays. The Muskies were a perfect 2-for-2 in the red zone. Degener went 16-of-24 for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Scanlon led the rushing attack with 35 yards on 18 totes. Jones led the receivers with four grabs for 84 yards and one touchdown.
Sophomore linebacker Traci Wilson led the Muskie defense with a game-high 10 stops and one sack. Junior linebacker Mick Fishel added seven tackles.
Waynesburg mustered 286 yards on 65 plays. Dougherty ended the outing going 21-of-39 for 203 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Ben Ciero rushed for a game-high 73 yards on 12 carries. Mitch Kendra caught four balls for 112 yards and one score.
Zach Machuga led the Yellow Jacket defensive effort with eight stops, 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
Following a bye week, Muskingum will open Ohio Athletic Conference play when it hosts rival Capital on Saturday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. in McConagha Stadium. The contest will mark the first Muskie football game on the newly renovated Sherman Field. Live video, stats and audio will be available on fightingmuskies.com.
