WILMINGTON, Ohio – The Capital University football team finally came out on top in what was their fifth one-score game of the season in a 28-27 season punctuating win at Wilmington on Saturday afternoon. The Comets scored what would be the winning touchdown with 5:57 left in the fourth and despite some Quaker opportunities, held on for the narrow victory. 

The win boosted Capital's overall record to 3-7 on the year and 1-7 in the OAC. The 3-7 overall record marks the best season-long record for Capital football since 2018 when they finished with an identical record. 

The loss also brought Wilmington's record to 3-7 overall and 1-7 in the conference. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Comets fell behind on the opening drive of the game as Wilmington scored on a 10-yard pass to cap their opening drive. 

It wouldn't take Capital long to tie things up as a five-yard rushing score from Wesley Armstead and a PAT from Ethan Graham knotted the score at 7-7 with 5:10 left in the first quarter. 

After Armstead's score, Capital's defense forced a turnover, recovering a fumble, but an untimely interception ended that drive. 

To start the second quarter, Capital got the ball back via a Quaker punt, but again an interception was thrown. That pick ended up leading to a Wilmington touchdown two plays later to make it 14-7 in favor of the hosts. 

Prior to the end of the half, Wilmington knocked home a 24-yard field goal to make it 17-7 at the break. 

Opening up the second half, Capital was halted on their first drive, allowing Wilmington to again tack on three points with a 25-yard field goal. 

Just over three minutes later, Capital got back into the end zone to keep it a game as Brandon Hambric Jr. broke free for a 43-yard rushing touchdown. Graham's PAT made it 20-14. 

Unfortunately for Capital, Wilmington scored on the opening play of the next drive, resulting in a 27-14 scoreline. 

Despite being down by two scores again, Capital kept their nose down as Hambric Jr. found paydirt for a second time, this time off a 16-yard rushing score. Graham's PAT made it 27-21 before the end of the third quarter. 

After the score, Capital's next offensive possession stalled and forced a punt. On the ensuing punt, Hagan Lineberger sent a 26-yard punt into a howling wind that was muffed by the Quakers. The loose ball was recovered by long snapper Kenneth Wilkerson III to give the Comets good field position. Despite the fortune, no points were added on that drive. 

In the fourth quarter, Capital used a six-play, 74-yard drive across 2:26 of game time to score the winning touchdown on a 17-yard pass from Donovan Duncan to Armstead. The TD tied it at 27-27, before Graham's PAT made it 28-27, enough to secure the win in the end.  

With play winding down and Capital ahead by one, the Comets got a big time interception from Bailey Johnson who halted a promising Quaker drive with his second career pick. After a few back-and-forths with possession, Wilmington had one more crack on offense. There, the Comets' Diamonte Salley came up with a crucial break-up on a 4th-and-10 play from Wilmington to set Capital up to kneel out the clock up 28-27. 

THE NUMBERS
Donovan Duncan made the start at QB, finishing the game with 169 yards and one touchdown on 10 completions. He added 21 yards rushing as well. 

Brandon Hambric Jr. had a career-game on the ground, rushing for 130 yards and two touchdowns on his 21 carries – all of which marked career-highs for the freshman. Hambric's 100-yard game was the third this season in which a Comet rusher eclipsed the century mark. Zion Solomon ran 18 times for a net of 75 yards – both of which were career-bests for him as well. 

Wesley Armstead had an all-around game, finishing with 20 yards and a touchdown on the ground which paired with two catches for 36 yards and another touchdown receiving.
 
Also hauling in passes were Josh Kucker (3 catches for 82 yards), Finn Devine (2 catches for 36 yards), Nate Younker (one catch for six yards), Trent Renz (one catch for five yards) and Solomon (one catch for four yards). 

Defensively, Cyrus Burden was the leading man, as he finished with a team-best six tackles which included 1.5 for a loss. He also recovered a fumble. 

Bailey Johnson, Manny Keeling, Declan McAdams, and Robbie Hatcher all finished with five tackles. Johnson added in a late interception that helped seal the game, while McAdams and Hatcher combined for 4.5 TFLs and the pair combined for the one of two sacks in the game for the defense. 

Kenneth Wilkerson III also had a fumble recovery on special teams coverage. Bryson Roberts added a forced fumble and led the team in breakups with two. 

Hagan Lineberger had four punts into a stiff 18 mph wind for 26 yards per boot. Ethan Graham had one punt for 36 yards. Graham was also good on all four PATs and sent five kickoffs for an average of 58.2 yards per kick. 

Bailey Johnson had one kickoff return for 18 yards, while Jamey Bollo had one return for 35 yards.