ALLIANCE, Ohio – The Capital University football team came out of the gates hanging right there with No. 2 nationally ranked Mount Union, trailing just 13-10 after the first quarter and just 27-17 at halftime. Unfortunately, a scoreless second half was a killer for the Comets in their eventual 65-17 loss. The 17 points scored by Capital marked the third highest scoring output against the Purple Raiders this season.
Capital is now 2-6 overall and 0-6 in the conference, while Mount is a perfect 8-0, 6-0 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Capital fell behind 13-0 after a pick-six from the Raiders and a 55-yard rushing score by Darnell Williams, but the Comets stayed in it.
Ethan Graham kicked home his first career field goal – a 19-yard attempt – with 5:10 left in the first quarter to make it 13-3.
On Mount's ensuing possession,
Diamonte Salley intercepted the Raider quarterback on the first play of the drive, giving Capital great field position in Mount Union territory. With the short field, the Comets gained ground slowly before a 36-yard connection from
Donovan Duncan to
Nate Younker put them at the two-yard line. After an incomplete pass,
Kassim Johnson punched in a two-yard touchdown. With Graham's extra point, the score read 13-10, Mount after the first quarter.
After two Mount Union scores, Capital got back in the end zone just before halftime as Duncan passed a 15-yard touchdown to
Wesley Armstead. After Graham's PAT, the score was 27-17 at halftime.
After halftime, the Purple Raiders did not take long to start adding points while also keeping the Comets off the board leading to an eventual 65-17 final score.
THE NUMBERS
Donovan Duncan finished 18-for-28 for 227 yards and a touchdown.
Michael Clouse was 2-for-3 for 22 yards.
Kassim Johnson rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown on 14 tries.
Cobi Stevens added six yards, while
Brandon Hambric Jr. ran for three yards.
Nate Younker hauled in four catches for 95 yards, while
Preston Hannika recorded seven grabs for 85 yards.
Wesley Armstead had five catches for 59 yards and a score.
Josh Kucker made two catches for 13 yards.
Diamonte Salley had a team-best seven tackles with an interception.
Cyrus Burden made six stops, while
Marcus Young Jr. made five tackles. Linsley Emile and
Landon Shutler each added four stops.
Declan McAdams recorded the only sack of the day which also forced a fumble that was recovered by
Austin Scott. The play directly resulted in the Armstead touchdown in the second quarter.
Ethan Graham sent three punts on the day for an average of 41 yards per boot. He also went 1-for-2 on field goals, converting from 19 yards. He was 2-for-2 on PATs and kicked off four times for an average of 46.8 per kickoff.
Hagan Lineberger added two punts for an average of 38.5 yards per punt.
Miles Miesse took two kickoff returns for a combined 17 yards.
UP NEXT
Capital will return to Bernlohr Stadium for their final home game of the season next Saturday, November 8th vs. Muskingum. The Comets and Muskies will kickoff at 1:30 p.m. with Senior Day activities taking place around 1 p.m.
