COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University football suffered an agonizing 20-19 loss at the hands of Otterbein University in both the Battle for the Oar and Homecoming and Hall of Fame Weekend at Capital.
The Comets are now 2-5 overall while Otterbein is 1-6 overall.
Otterbein went in front 7-0 after the first quarter, but the Comets quickly found some points early in the second as
Brandon Hambric Jr. rushed in his first career touchdown from nine yards out. Unfortunately for the Comets a false start on the first PAT moved them back five yards and the re-kick dinged the post, keeping it 7-6, Cardinals.
Later in the second quarter, Otterbein added another touchdown and PAT to make it 14-6 heading into halftime.
In the third quarter, the Comets used nine plays to go 30 yards after an immense 57-yard kickoff return by
Darron Robinson to start the second half. The drive was capped on
Tyler Love's five-yard QB scramble into the end zone.
Ethan Graham's PAT made it 14-13, Otterbein.
The Cardinals again added another score in the third, but their PAT hit the post, keeping it 20-13.
To start the fourth quarter, Capital scored on a 50-yard run down the middle from
Tyler Love, bringing it to 20-19. From there, the Comets went for two and a pass to
Josh Kucker fell incomplete in the end zone, keeping it a one-point game.
Capital had their moments to score again, but a couple of costly penalties proved large as
Ethan Graham's 32-yard field goal attempt with under a minute remaining was blocked, all but ending the game, 20-19.
THE NUMBERS
Tyler Love threw for 105 yards on seven completions. He also rushed for 101 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns.
Kassim Johnson ran for 60 yards, while
Brandon Hambric Jr. ran for nine yards and a score.
LJ Haynes added eight yards on two rushes.
Preston Hannika caught two passes for 53 yards.
Nate Younker caught three passes for 28 yards, supported by two catches from
Wesley Armstead and
Kassim Johnson combining for 24 yards.
Marcus Young Jr. led the team with 12 tackles including 2.5 for a loss.
Owen Beatty contributed 10 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Riley Fritts ended with nine tackles as well.
Quincy Hains finished with three stops, but also forced a fumble.
Jayden Carter had three tackles with one being a sack of 12 yards.
Ethan Graham kicked one PAT and sent four kickoffs for 242 yards. He also punted four times for 172 yards which included an average of 43 yards.
UP NEXT
Capital will be back in action next Saturday on the road at No. 2 ranked Mount Union. Kickoff in Alliance is slated for 1:30 p.m.
