COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University finally got back in the win column on Saturday afternoon and the win could not have been more enjoyable for the Comets. 

Capital, who entered today's game on a 17-game losing skid, hosted crosstown rival Otterbein University in the Battle for the Oar in front of a sold out Homecoming crowd and defeated the Cardinals 35-31 to acquire the oar for the first time since the trophy's re-introduction in 2021. 

The Comets utilized a seven-play, 61-yard drive with just over a minute left in the game to score the eventual game-winning touchdown. On that drive, freshman quarterback Donovan Duncan connected with Nate Younker and Mike Elmore on big completions to move the chains. The catch by Elmore went for 42 yards and set up the Comets on the 8-yard line. On the ensuing play, Duncan and Elmore connected again, putting the Comets ahead 35-31 with just 27 seconds left. 

On the Cardinal's desperate possession, the Comets defense stepped up, getting a huge sack from Declan McAdams and two breakups from Tyson Shutler on the drive to preserve the win. 

LEADING UP TO THE WIN
The Comets fell behind 7-0 midway through the first quarter, but evened the score on a Troi McClary one-yard rushing score a few minutes later. The Comets began that drive on the one-yard line after Jaylan Anderson blocked a Cardinal punt and then recovered the ball on the one. 

In the second quarter, the Cardinals put up 21 points, and were answered with just one score by the Comets as the visitors carried a 28-14 lead to the break. The lone second quarter score from Capital was on an 11-yard passing touchdown from Ben Everson to Mike Elmore. 

Late in the quarter, Everson was tackled on a rush play and would leave the game through injury, thus leading the freshman Donovan Duncan entering the game as the Capital play caller for the final 30+ minutes. 

Out of the locker room, Capital came out with a point to prove, riding the 1-2 punch of Troi McClary and Albree Grose to the end zone twice to level the score at 28-28. First, McClary broke loose for a 16-yard score with 12:31 left in the third, leading to Grose sprinting to the end zone on a 36-yard run with 9:25 left in the quarter. 

The tied score would remain for both teams until the Cardinals would put up a field goal midway through the fourth quarter, going ahead 31-28. 

On Cap's next possession, Tyler Terrell narrowly missed a 44-yard field goal try. The try would've marked a career long for the placekicker. 

Despite the missed field goal, the Capital defense stood tall and forced a three-and-out by the Cardinals on the next drive.

The ensuing punt by the Cardinals set up the Comets at their own 39-yard line with 1:42 of game time to work with. First, Younker's catch went for 18 yards and then Duncan connected with Elmore on the 42-yard pass and then for the eventual winning touchdown with just 27 seconds left on the clock. 

THE NUMBERS
The win marked the Comets first win since a 35-28 win at Ohio Northern on October 23, 2021 – a stretch of 17 games. The win over the Cardinals was Cap's first since October 27, 2018 – a 23-19 win in Westerville. 

Donovan Duncan threw for 144 yards on 50% completion rate, going for one touchdown and a pick. Prior to his injury, Ben Everson passed for 69 yards on four completions, while also throwing a touchdown and three interceptions. Everson also rushed for 32 yards. 

On the ground, Troi McClary rushed for a new career-best 100 yards. The 100 yards rushing was the first time a Capital running back rushed for 100 or more yards since Brent Walton ran for 130 yards at Heidelberg on November 7, 2015. McClary punched in two touchdowns on the day, also a career-high. Supporting McClary was freshman Albree Grose who ran for a career-best 78 yards and also punched in his first career touchdown. 

In receiving, Nate Younker and Mike Elmore each caught four passes. Younker hauled in 83 yards receiving, while Elmore was good for 78 yards receiving and two touchdowns. 

Bennet Zerby (1 catch for 25 yards), Grose (2 catches for 21 yards) and Trent Renz (1 catch for six yards) accounted for the other receptions. 

Defensively, the Comets played one of their better games in recent memory, being led by James Curtis who had a career-high 14 tackles and also forced one fumble. 

Tyson Shutler also had 11 tackles while also getting in on four pass break-ups. Griffin McKinney had a strong effort, making nine tackles as well. 

Nick Fisanick had a strong game, making seven tackles and also intercepting a pass – his second career pick. Bryson Roberts was in on seven tackles and had a huge forced fumble – his second in as many home games. Declan McAdams made a career-high seven tackles which included 2.5 sacks. 

Quincy Haines (six tackles), AJ Adams (four tackles), and Dominic Marquette (three tackles) all his career-highs.  

In special teams, Tyler Terrell was 5-for-5 on PATs while sending five punts for 184 yards including a long of 44 yards. Ty Boughman sent six kickoffs for 352 yards. 

Bennett Zerby took three returns for 108 yards including a long of 61 yards. Drew Montoya added one return for 14 yards and Tyson Shutler took one for eight yards. 

UP NEXT
Capital will take their bye next week before traveling to No. 2 ranked Mount Union on Saturday, October 14th for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.