COLUMBUS, Ohio -- On a brisk, windy day at Bernlohr Stadium, the Capital University football team fell to visiting Muskingum University by a final score of 46-27. 

Prior to kickoff, Capital honored 15 seniors for their contributions to the football and cheerleading programs. Those recognized included Anna Bobo, Olivia Fuellgraf, Torie Cochran, and Gabriella Schnaidt for cheerleading, and Mike Smith, Kameron Lee, Chad Davis, Antwan Shipp, Luke McCarrell, Noah Meeker, Matt Lauofo, Clint Kitchen, Trey Hunter, Kevin Cuervo, and Kobe Swackhammer for the football team. 

The final score to the game did not send the seniors out on a high, but these men and women ought to be proud for the impacts they had on their respective programs during their careers wearing the Purple and White. 

In the game, both Ben Everson and Luke McCarrell split time under center, with the latter playing a portion of the first half and all of the second half. Everson accounted for 45 yards through the air and 55 yards on the ground. He also punched in a six yard rush midway through the first quarter to get Cap off the ground. 

McCarrell's intro to the game helped Cap through the air as he passed for an even 200 yards on 14 completions that went for three touchdowns. McCarrell also added 29 yards on the ground. 

The leading receivers in the game were both seniors in Kameron Lee and Mike Smith as they both reeled in five catches. Lee's catches went for 88 yards and a touchdown, while Smith's receptions went for 63 yards and two scores. Further the receiving group, Ben Zerby, Aurelius Walters and Drew Engle each had three catches. Sam Pickett, Noah Meeker and Andrew Montoya all had one catch each. 

On the ground, Drew Engle rushed a team-high 14 times for a gain of 46. Tyson Shutler came in for two carries and powered forward for a net of six yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, Nick Fisanick led Capital with nine tackles, including a sack. He also forced a fumble on Muskie's opening drive that was recovered by Chad Davis. Both Davis and Zhy Perry had eight stops for Capital as well. Jack Blaisdell, who was arguably the busiest man on the field today, didn't get in on a stop, but was a disruption all afternoon hurrying up the Muskie QB three times. 

Dez Turkson was in on six stops in the game, including 2.5 for a loss of seven yards. Additionally, Turkson blocked a Muskie PAT, marking the first time that had been done by a Cap player since Kole Carter in October of 2018. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Comets got on the board first midway through the first on a six-yard rush by Ben Everson. The drive started after Nick Fisanisk punched out a fumble on Travis Roberson and Chad Davis jumped on the loose ball for Cap. 

After falling behind, Muskingum got back in business on offense as they scored the game's next four touchdowns.

Midway in the third, Capital got back on the board, bringing the game within two scores. Luke McCarrell connected with Kameron Lee on back-to-back passes on 29 yards and 28 yards with the latter finding Lee in the endzone double covered. It was the second time this season in that exact corner of the south endzone at Bernlohr Stadium in which Lee won a double-coverage battle to score a TD. 

Both teams then traded a pair of touchdowns through the end of the third and first part of the fourth. Both of Cap's scores came on McCarrell passes to Mike Smith. First, with 48 seconds left in the third quarter, Smith caught a seven yard pass in the corner to chip back into the game. 

After Muskie responded with a TD of their own on the first play of the fourth quarter, Cap responded with another strike from McCarrell to Smith. This time, McCarrell rolled out to his left and threw a dart into double coverage where Smith hung on for the 24-yard TD. 

Muskingum removed all doubt with a touchdown with 5:29 remaining, putting the final score on the board at 46-27. 

OPPONENT NUMBERS
Jordan Garrett threw 41-of-58 completed passes for 482 yards and seven touchdowns for Muskingum. 17 of his passes connected with Zuri Edmondson who racked up 266 yards for three scores. Ja'Lin Goodman has two scores, while Travanti Keitt and Connor Baker accounted for the other two TDs. 

Gannon Unger led the Muskies on the ground with a net of 56 yards. 

Azarious Williams has a game-high 12 tackles on defense and a forced fumble. Austin Wilforth had nine stops and a forced fumble as well. 

WHAT's NEXT?
Capital will now head to the offseason looking toward a new 2022 campaign. Capital made strides this season with two wins -- their most in a season since 2018 -- including a 41-7 trouncing of Defiance and a 35-28 stunner at Ohio Northern.