COLUMBUS, Ohio – A great second-half effort highlighted a 49-14 loss for the Capital University football team at the hands of the No. 2 ranked University of Mount Union. 

Despite the 35-point spread, the Comets put up 14 points on the Purple Raiders. Coming into the game, Mount – who improved to 6-0 with the win – had only allowed 13 total points through their first five games, which included nationally prominent opponents Heidelberg and Marietta. The 14 points were also the most points allowed in a regular season game by Mount Union since October 30, 2021. 

Capital found themselves trailing 35-0 by the half, but came out in the second half playing with nothing to lose, and boy did they make a statement. After coming up empty on their first two drives of the third quarter, the Comets came up with a huge play on special teams to give them life. 

After Tyler Terrell punted 38 yards, the catch was muffed by Mount's Josh Jones, and the loose ball was recovered by Cap's Nate Younker on the Purple Raiders' 26-yard line. With the great field position, Capital first gained a yard on the ground from Jonathan Williams before Trevor Harrison-Rawn connected with Eddie Thomas down the middle for a 22-yard gain, putting the Comets just three yards out from the end zone. 

After a Mount timeout, Harrison-Rawn floated a pass to the corner of the end zone, where again connected with Thomas, who like the last play out-dualed his defender for the ball. The touchdown was the first of Thomas' career and marked the first touchdown by Capital against Mount Union since October 14, 2017. 

With the energy from the touchdown, Capital's defense then announced themselves on the next drive, shutting down Mount momentum heading to the fourth quarter by getting a huge fourth down stop on 4th-and-2. The Purple Raiders' Deandre Parker was stuffed on the rush up the middle by the combination of Quentin Gehm and Cyrus Burden. 

The ensuing drive resulted in a Comet punt and then was followed by another Mount Union score to make it 49-7with 10:59 remaining in the game. 

On their next drive, Capital knocked on the door again, and a recreation of the touchdown was wiped away as a pass from Harrison-Rawn to Thomas in the corner of the end zone on 4th-and-19 was broken up. 

After this turnover on downs, the Purple Raiders sent out their back-up QB, Noah Beaudrie to finish out the game. After some brief momentum, Beaudrie looked to throw to the right sideline and was intercepted by Capital's Braden Jehn, who happened to find himself in the right spot at the right time. Jehn took the pick back 22 yards to set the Comets up on Mount Union's 27-yard line with 3:22 left. The pick was Jehn's first as a collegian.

Knowing the result was out of sight, Capital took their time to make this possession count. With senior quarterback Brayton Schmidt in the game under center, Capital found the end zone again. This time, the score came courtesy of a 12-yard pass from Schmidt to Justin McClelland on a long 3rd-and-9 with just 44 second remaining. The play was set up by Schmidt's 11-yard rush just before. 

The score proved to be Schmidt's first as a Comet and was McClelland's second receiving touchdown of the season and of his career. 

After Tyler Terrell tacked on the PAT, the Comets secured the 14 points, marking the most points any team has scored on a highly-rated Mount Union defense all season.  

THE NUMBERS
After he recorded a career-high 10 tackles at Otterbein two weeks ago, freshman linebacker Quentin Gehm upped his new personal best, making 12 tackles this afternoon. He was followed closely by Louie Hoersten who made 10 stops on defense. Chris Johnson and Diamonte Salley each made six tackles as well. 

Jesse Foster and Oumar Barry each found their way into the Mount Union backfield once, as they each recorded one tackle for a loss. The two stops resulted in a loss of seven yards. 

Braden Jehn's interception was Capital's fourth of the year and their second in as many games.

Offensively, Trevor Harrison-Rawn accounted for 113 yards passing, which came on 10 completions. 

Eddie Thomas was the favorite receiver, making three catches for 46 yards and a score. Sam Pickett and Zach Combs each made two catches for a combined 28 yards. The others to haul in a pass were Justin McClelland, Aralius Walters Jr., Troi McClary, and Bennett Zerby. 

Rushing the ball, Capital gained 113 yards throughout the game before loss. Drew Engle carried the ball for 30 yards, and was followed by Troi McClary who toted the pigskin seven times for 16 yards. 

In the return game, Aralius Walters Jr. took four returns for 65 yards. 

Tyler Terrell punted six times for 217 yards. He also knocked three kickoffs for 118 yards and was good on his two PAT tries. 

THE OPPONENT
Braxton Plunk passed for 269 yards and four scores on 21 completions. Wayne Ruby Jr. was the top choice for Plunk as he made seven catches for 166 yards and three scores. Edwin Reed accounted for the other receiving touchdown. 

On the ground, Deandre Parker picked up 114 yards and punched in three touchdowns. 

Rossy Moore made nine tackles, while Mason McMillen was in on eight stops. Jordan Stancovich had the only interception for Mount. 

UP NEXT
Capital will hit the road for their next test as they travel to No. 25 John Carroll University on Saturday, October 22nd for a 1:30 p.m.kickoff.