COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University football team opened up their 100th year of competition with a narrow 45-35 loss to Denison University on Saturday afternoon. 

The Comets (0-1) found themselves in a large hole at halftime, trailing 31-7, but a confident response after halftime enabled the Purple and White back into the game, outscoring the Big Red 28-14 in the second half. 

Capital did get on the board first, thanks to an efficient opening drive. After a touchback, Capital moved the ball 75 yards down the field in five plays and just 1:53 of game time. Cap picked up a crucial third down thanks to a 11-yard pass from Ben Everson to Nate Younker. The same combination got together on the very next play, as Everson went over the top to Younker for a 46-yard touchdown, the first touchdown of Younker's career. 

From there, Denison responded in full force, scoring 31 unanswered points before halftime. Out of the locker room, Denison capitalized on a big 76-yard passing touchdown from Jimmy Stines to Billy Guzzo to open up the score to 38-7. 

Despite this, Capital re-focused and utilized a few big defensive plays to get back into the game.

First, at the seven minute mark of the third quarter, freshmen defensive backs Avant Harris and Bryson Roberts combined for a big turnover. Harris stripped Big Red running back Trey Fabrocini and Roberts recovered the fumble on the 49-yard line. 

Several plays later, Capital found the endzone as Everson connected with Eddie Thomas on a five-yard score. 

Fabrocini and Denison responded as the running back sprinted his way to a 74-yard score in just two plays, opening the game to 45-14. 

Before the end of the third quarter, Capital got back in the endzone as Everson found Dom Glenn down the middle for 16-yards and the score. That score was set-up largely by a 33-yard kickoff return from Bennett Zerby and two 15-yard penalties by Denison. 

In the fourth quarter, the Comet defense forced Denison to punt for the first time in the game, allowing Cap to put together a 80-yard touchdown drive. The drive was capped by a 39-yard touchdown pass from Everson to Mike Elmore. 

Denison's next drive ended with the Big Red attempting a 39-yard field goal. Kicker Daniel Cunningham's attempt was blocked by Avant Harris and the ball was booted down the field as Capital attempted to return the ball. This ended with the Comet drive starting on the Denison 32-yard line. Four plays later, Everson slung a 20-yard pass to Bennett Zerby for his fifth touchdown pass of the game. 

Unfortunately, for Capital the Big Red recovered the onside kick and iced the game on a smartly worked last drive. 

THE NUMBERS
Ben Everson ended the game 18-for-28 for 265 yards and five touchdowns. The five passing scores matched his career-high, a feat he originally set last season at Denison. 

Drew Engle rushed nine times for 53 yards to lead the running back group. Donavan Kirby, Dom Glenn and Kassim Johnson combined for seven rushes and 19 yards. 

Leading receivers for the Comets included Bennett Zerby (4 rec., 74 yds., 1 TD), Mike Elmore (4 rec., 68 yds., 1 TD), Nate Younker (3 rec., 62 yds., 1 TD), Dom Glenn (3 rec., 21 yds., 1 TD), and Eddie Thomas (2 rec., 13 yds., 1 TD). 

On the defensive side of the ball, Nick Fisanick led all players with 13 tackles. He added a breakup and a QB hurry. Griffin McKinney ended the game with 12 stops of his own as well. 

James Curtis was in on eight tackles, while Jaylan Anderson, Cyrus Burden, Bryson Roberts and Avant Harris each made six stops. Roberts had a fumble recovery, while Harris added a blocked field goal, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. 

On special teams, Tyler Terrell was a perfect 5-for-5 on PATs and he punted four times for 149 yards. Ty Boughman had five kickoffs for 308 yards and two touchbacks in his first collegiate game. Bennett Zerby had five kickoff returns for a total of 133 yards. 

THE OPPONENT
Jimmy Stines completed 18 passes for 386 yards and four touchdowns. 

Trey Fabrocini rushed 20 times for 153 yards and two scores. 

Billy Guzzo caught two touchdowns and ended with 168 yards receiving. Cade Nowik ended with a touchdown and 111 receiving yards. Josh Aiello caught the other touchdown. 

Jack Nimesheim led the Big Red with seven tackles, while Colin Murphy added six more. 

Daniel Cunningham was 6-for-6 on PATs, added a 35-yard field goal and missed a 39-yarder. 

Jaylin Epps took three returns for 72 yards. 

UP NEXT
Capital will open up OAC play next Saturday, September 9th as they travel to Ohio Northern. Kickoff in Ada is slated for 1:30 p.m.