MARIETTA, Ohio – The Capital University football team ventured to Marietta College on Saturday afternoon where they fell by a final score of 54-10 to the host Pioneers. The loss pegs the Comets back to 0-3 on the year while Marietta improves to 3-0. 

For the Comets, the defense started sharply, forcing a Pioneer turnover on downs on the opening drive of the game. On the third play of action, Capital's Diamonte Salley broke through on a late blitz to sack Marietta's quarterback – the first sack the Pioneers had conceded all season thus far. 

That sack followed by an incomplete pass forced a 4th-and-short play that was stuffed by the duo of Quincy Hains and Jesse Foster, giving the ball to the Comets.  

The first offensive drive for Cap saw some promise thanks to a couple of connections between Ben Owens and Nate Younker helping move the ball. Unfortunately, the drive stalled and the Pioneers forced a turnover on downs of their own. 

From there, Marietta's offense began to click as they found the end zone three times by the end of the first quarter, leading 21-0. 

To start the second quarter the Comets finally got on the board as Tyler Terrell connected on a 34-yard field goal – his first made and attempted field goal of the season. The big play setting up that score was a 36-yard passing connection from Owens to Wesley Armstead. 

Starting the next defensive drive, Capital's defense again got to the Marietta quarterback, sacking him for the second time in the game and on the season, this time from the freshman Riley Fritts. 
By halftime, Marietta had expanded their lead in the game to 35-3. On the first drive of the second half, the hosts expanded things out to 40-3 before Capital was able to respond. 

The Comets got in the end zone on a six-play, 60-yard drive that saw freshman Aaron Gilbert score his third touchdown of the season and his career. 

That would be the end of the Comet scoring for the day as the Pioneers ended the game with two more touchdowns to settle the final score at 54-10. 

THE NUMBERS
Ben Owens threw for 124 yards on 13 completions while also rushing nine times. Donovan Duncan and Austin Newman both saw snaps under center as well. 

In the rushing game, Kassim Johnson led with 41 yards, while Joshawah Hogan toted the ball for 13 yards. Gilbert picked up 11 yards and the lone Comet touchdown of the day on five carries. Zion Solomon and Trevor Shook also saw some rushing attempts as well. 

Nate Younker, Wesley Armstead, Josh Kucker, Finn Devine, Mac Pettigrew, Preston Hannika and Steven Alaniz all recorded catches in the receiving game. 

Diamonte Salley was the leading tackler, finishing with six stops – all of which were solo. AJ Conti, Owen Beatty, and Griffin McKinney each finished with five tackles as well. 

Jesse Foster, Salley, Quincy Hains and Riley Fritts all accounted for tackles for a loss. 

Salley and Bryson Roberts each added a pass breakup as well. 

In special teams action, Tyler Terrell sent seven punts for an average of 39.1 yards per boot. He pinned the Pioneers inside their own 20-yard line four times. He was also good on his one field goal attempt of 34 yards and his only PAT try. 

Bailey Johnson, Finn Devine, Kassim Johnson, Mac Pettigrew and Wesley Armstead all returned kickoffs, with Devine leading the way with 56 return yards. 

UP NEXT
Capital will return to Bernlohr Stadium to host their annual Homecoming and Hall of Fame game on Saturday, October 5th vs. Heidelberg. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. which will follow the Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. and the Capital Homecoming Tailgate at 11 a.m. Capital men's soccer will wrap up the home festivities for Homecoming with a 7 p.m. kickoff at Bernlohr Stadium vs. Baldwin Wallace.