One of the most feared defensive backs in the history of the Ohio Athletic Conference, All-American safety Kyle Hausler locked down the Capital defensive backfield with fervor and tenacity for four seasons.
Hausler came to Capital from Hilliard, Ohio and immediately made a difference on the field as a freshman. Hausler set a single-season school record with 10 interceptions in 2002, a mark that still stands today. Four of those picks came in Capital's game against rival Otterbein on October 12 and the 10 interceptions tied the OAC record for most picks in a season. He also made 56 total tackles in his 10 games played. The OAC named Hausler to the all-conference second team but his play was more widely heralded y those around the region when he was tabbed First Team All-Region. His climb to the top was accelerated when he later became the first freshman in school history to be named an All-American, an honor he received from both the Football Gazette and Hewlett Packard.
He followed up his outstanding freshman season with an equally impressive sophomore campaign in 2004. Hausler set a career high with 70 total tackles and intercepted seven passes. Three of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns, including a 98-yard return against Wittenberg in the season opener that set the program record for longest interception return. Hausler earned a place on the All-OAC First Team and was again named First Team All-Region.
Hausler's 2005 season saw him set a career high with 58 solo tackles feeding into his 62 total stops, and intercepted six passes. All this helped Capital advance to the third round of the NCAA Playoffs, the deepest run a Capital team had ever made in the playoff era to date. Again, Hausler was named to the All-OAC and All-Region first teams and he received the Lee Tressel award, given to the OAC's top defensive back. He was also named the North Region Defensive Player of the Year and became the second Capital player to receive three All-American awards after he was named D3football.com All-America First Team.
The safety returned for his senior season in 2006 but was limited to only six games as the Crusaders again reached the third round of the NCAA Playoffs. Still, Hausler made 34 total tackles.
Hausler finished his career with 222 total tackles (164 solo, 58 assisted) in 39 games and still holds the school record with 23 career interceptions.
