COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University football team fell in a back-and-forth game to Muskingum University on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 45-38. 

The Comets slide back to 0-3 on the year while Muskingum improves to 3-0.  

HOW IT HAPPENED
Capital had quite the start in this one, with Bennett Zerby taking the opening kick 61 yards back to the Muskingum 30 yard line. A few plays later, Cap quarterback Ben Evenson found the endzone on a 13-yard rush to the right side to give CU a 7-0 lead. 

After the Muskies went ahead 10-7 midway through the second quarter, the Comets got back in front thanks to a two-yard pass from Everson to Zerby. 

The Comet defense then forced a three-and-out, setting up the offense to add to the lead. Capital did just that as they converted a huge fourth down play and then found the corner of the end zone as Everson passed to Eddie Thomas for two yards – his first of three TD receptions on the day.

Muskingum got back into it with a quick response thanks to an 87-yard kickoff return from Ja'Lin Goodman, bringing the score to 21-16. 

With under a minute left in the half, Capital got themselves in field goal range, allowing Tyler Terrell to drill a 27-yarder for his first field goal of the season, sending Cap ahead 24-16 at the half. 

Out of the intermission, Muskingum stormed back with three straight touchdowns, taking a 38-24 lead. 

The Comets made it interesting as Everson found Thomas for 28 yards to trim the lead to 38-31. 

Unfortunately, the Muskies responded with a 34-yard TD of their own to go back up by two scores. 

The Comets didn't give up as Thomas and Everson again linked up for 28 yards, making the final two minutes a battle. Unfortunately for Cap, the Muskies ran down the clock enough that a 80+ yard last second attempt went without success for the Comets, ending the game 45-38. 

THE NUMBERS
Ben Everson completed 18 passes for 334 yards and four touchdowns. He was sacked just once. On the ground, Everson added 33 yards and a touchdown – his second five score game of the season. 

In the receiving game, Mike Elmore hauled in five catches for 120 yards, marking the first 100+ yard receiving game for a Comet since Noah Meeker in 2021. Eddie Thomas also reeled in five catches for 76 yards and three touchdowns. His three TD receptions tied him with a host of former Capital receivers for the most in a single game. The feat was most recently accomplished by Dar Stanford in 2018 at Muskingum. 

Nate Younker was also active in the receiving game, pulling down four catches for 77 yards. Bennett Zerby caught four passes for 61 yards and a score as well. 

On the ground, Troi McClary toted the ball a team-best 13 times for 28 yards. 

In defense, Tyson Shutler had himself a game, making 15 tackles – a new career-high. The running back turned safety now has a team-best 28 tackles through three games this year. 

Chris Johnson had a career game with 12 tackles. Nick Fisanick also reached double-digit stops with 10. Declan McAdams made six tackles in his first game at Bernlohr Stadium. 

The Comets recorded their first three sacks of the season – one each for James Curtis, Jesse Foster and Preston Sweet. 

Curtis, Bryson Roberts and Ty Boughman all forced a fumble that ended up with Capital in possession. Fisanick, Zerby and a touchback all yielded the ball back to the Comets. 

In special teams, Tyler Terrell was good on his only field goal try – a 27-yarder. He also went 5-for-5 on PATs and booted five punts for an average of 42 yards per punt. 

Bennett Zerby and Dom Glenn shared the returns as Zerby took five returns for 138 yards and Glenn took three for 65 yards. 

UP NEXT
Capital will travel to Wilmington next week. The Comets and the Quakers will kickoff at 7 p.m. in the OAC Game of the Week.