COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University football team found themselves in a neck-and-neck defensive battle for a near 60 minutes of football on Saturday as both Capital and Muskingum combined for just 10 points and each team barely cracked 200 yards of offense in the game. In the end, it was the Muskies who punched in a touchdown to emerge victorious, 7-3. The seven points by Muskingum marked the fewest given up in a game by Capital football since September 2, 2021 against Defiance. 

Capital is now 2-7 overall and 0-7 in the conference, while Muskingum is 4-5 overall and 4-3 in the OAC. 

SENIOR DAY
Capital honored their senior class prior to the start of the game including Jayden Carter, Cyrus Burden, Manny Keeling, Austin Newman, Nate Younker, Riley Fritts, Owen Beatty, Matt Anderkin, Griffin McKinney, Cain Gonzalez, Josh Kucker and Ty Boughman prior to the start of the game. Additionally, senior cheerleaders Tanaeya Edmunds and Kylie McKinney were recognized. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams traded first quarter interceptions, with the Comets' coming from Bryson Roberts. Roberts returned the ball 39 yards to put the Comets in great field position but an untimely bad snap led to a turnover on downs for Capital on the ensuing offensive possession. 

In the second quarter, Capital's defense came up big again, stopping Muskingum on two fourth down attempts, getting the ball back into their offense's hands. The second fourth down stop yielded the Comets three points of the game several plays later. 

On the last drive of the first half, Capital found themselves with a fourth-and-six at their own 42. The team lined up to punt, but Hagan Lineberger combined with Shawn Billups for a seven-yard gain and a first down, extending the drive. Later in the drive, Donovan Duncan connected with Wesley Armstead on a 40-yard pass that set up Capital from the four. After a few cracks at the end zone, Capital settled for a 23-yard field goal attempt which was converted by Ethan Graham. Capital went to the break ahead 3-0. 

In the third quarter, the Comets defense again had a big stop, this time with Robbie Hatcher forcing a fumble that was recovered by Declan McAdams to get the ball back in the Comets' hands. 

After a stalled drive, Lineberger sent a 51-yard punt to the Muskingum one-yard line forcing the Muskies into a 99-yard drive. There, the visitors took advantage of the long field and scored on an eventual one-yard rush by Rylie Woodie to make it 7-3. 

That score would hold despite the Comets having a 1st-and-goal opportunity from the Muskingum seven yard line. There, the team only gained six yards, which turned the ball over and allowed the Muskies to kneel out the clock ahead 7-3. 

THE NUMBERS
Donovan Duncan threw for 135 yards of 16 completions, while Hagan Lineberger added 10 yards on two completions. 

Kassim Johnson was the leading rusher with 79 yards on 18 attempts. Zion Solomon picked up 11 yards on five rushes, while Tyler Love and Brandon Hambric Jr. each ran for three yards. 

Wesley Armstead had three catches for 45 yards, followed by Josh Kucker with four catches for 32 yards. Finn Devine had two catches for 24 yards. Kassim Johnson had four catches for 15 yards, while Hambric Jr., Shawn Billups, LJ Haynes, Nate Younker and Solomon each had one catch. 

Marcus Young Jr. led the defense with nine tackles, followed by Miles Miesse with eight and Diamonte Salley with seven. Cyrus Burden, Jio Rodriguez, Landon Shutler, Declan McAdams, Robbie Hatcher, and Austin Scott all added five stops. 

Burden led the defense with 1.5 sacks, joined by Young Jr., Hatcher, and Jayden Carter all with a half a sack. 

Hatcher forced a fumble recovered by McAdams, while Bryson Roberts had a pick in the game. 

Hagan Lineberger had three punts for an average of 44.3 yards per boot. Two of his punts sailed 51 yards each and pinned the Muskies inside their own 20. Ethan Graham had one punt of 42 yards. 

Graham was also good on his only field goal try from 23 yards, while he added one kickoff for 60 yards. 

UP NEXT
Capital will conclude their 2025 campaign next Saturday, November 15th at Wilmington. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m.