The Muskingum football team slipped in its home and Ohio Athletic Conference opener against Capital on Saturday night in McConagha Stadium, 34-16.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (1-1 overall, 0-1 OAC), Capital (1-1 overall, 1-0 OAC)
• Location: New Concord, Ohio - McConagha Stadium
• Weather: 82 degrees and overcast
• Attendance: 2,200

Pregame

• Muskingum observed a moment of silence prior to the start of the game in honor of Bryce Skok, a freshman long snapper, who tragically passed away last year in an automobile accident. The Muskies also used a 10-man punt formation during the game to remember Bryce.

How It Happened

• Capital scored the opening 14 points of the game in the first quarter to take early control of the outing. Cory Heeter scored on an eight-yard run to cap a seven-play, 71-yard drive to give the Crusaders an early 7-0 edge just 3:48 into the outing. 
• The Crusaders then took advantage of a Muskie fumble to march 84 yards in six plays to take a 14-0 lead late in the opening frame on Thomas Wibbeler's six-yard touchdown pass to Chase Longwell.
• Muskingum answered the quick Capital surge with a four-play, 67-yard drive that culminated with senior quarterback Griffin Degener hitting junior wide out Damon Jones for a 45-yard touchdown pass. Following the missed extra point, Muskingum trailed 14-6 with one minute remaining in the first quarter.
• Capital scored a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter to take command and stretch its lead to 27-6 heading into the break.
• In the second half, Muskie senior Cody Dent connected on a 25-yard field goal and sophomore tight end Granger Long caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from freshman Derek Grandstaff to complete Muskingum's scoring.
• Capital added its final touchdown late in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.

Inside The Numbers

• Muskingum churned out a season-best 373 yards of offense on 71 plays.
• Degener went 16-of-30 for 240 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
• Senior Jordan Scanlon led the Muskie rushers with 44 yards on 11 totes.
• Sophomore Darius Hayes-Carruth led the receivers with six grabs for 71 yards. Jones hauled in three catches for 76 yards and one score.
• Senior linebacker Chaney Fulton led the defensive effort with 10 tackles. Junior linebacker Mick Fishel added seven stops.
• Capital mustered 412 yards of offense on 67 plays.
• Wibbeler led the Crusader attack going 16-of-33 for 261 yards and two touchdowns.
• Heeter rushed for 87 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. He also added 31 yards receiving on two catches.
• David Barnett led the Crusader receivers with five grabs for 96 yards and one score. Nick Waters had five catches for 72 yards.
• Derek Eibon registered a game-high 19 tackles, while Kane Murray had eight stops and one sack.

Up Next

• Muskingum next hosts rival Marietta for the Shriners Game on Saturday, September 24. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in McConagha Stadium and will feature live HD video, stats and audio on fightingmuskies.com.