COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University football team stormed back with three third quarter touchdowns to carry a 21-21 game with Marietta College down to the final drive. Unfortunately for the Comets, the Pioneers used the final 5:31 of game time to kick a 30-yard field goal as time expired to escape with a 24-21 win. 

The results bumps Capital back to 1-2 overall and 0-2 in the OAC, while Marietta improves to 3-0 and 2-0 in the conference. The Pioneers have been receiving votes in the AFCA national polls all season thus far. 

The Comets wavered a little bit throughout the first half as the offense couldn't quite get going. Despite that, the defense had the team hanging around with a 14-0 halftime score. Marietta's two scores came on a 75-yard rushing touchdown on the second play of the game and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown. 

Out of the halftime locker room, Capital looked a different team as their very first play of the half was a 75-yard rushing touchdown from Kassim Johnson – the first rushing score of his career. 

Moments later, Marietta scored again to go up 21-7, but it took Capital just 44 seconds to respond with a touchdown of their own. After a failed onside kick by Marietta, Capital scored on a 31-yard pass from Tyler Love to Wesley Armstead to make it 21-14. 

Then, after a three-and-out by Marietta, Capital marched 70 yards before scoring on another connection from Love to Armstead with 46 seconds left in the third quarter. 

From there, the 21-21 score held much of the way. 

The Comets threatened to get in front for the first time, risking it big on a 4th-and-two play from the two-yard line but Love's pass to Armstead fell incomplete. 

A big turnover by the Comet defense halted Marietta's momentum as Marcus Young Jr. forced a fumble that was recovered by AJ Conti. Unfortunately the ensuing offensive drive was halted, turning the ball back to Marietta who ran down the clock in 12 plays to kick the game-winning field goal as time expired. 

THE NUMBERS
Capital saw many good things happen in the game with Que Russell blocking a field goal – the first blocked field goal by a Comet since September 2, 2023. Kassim Johnson rushed for 119 yards and his first career running touchdown. His 119 yards marked the first Comet with 100+ on the ground since September 30, 2023. 

Quarterback Tyler Love threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns while adding a net of 16 yards on the ground. 

Kassim Johnson ran for 119 yards and a score while adding 56 yards on three catches. 

Wesley Armstead made five catches for 96 yards and two scores. Nate Younker was next with three catches for 26 yards. Preston Hannika had two catches for 10 yards, while Trent Renz had one catch for six yards. 

In defense, AJ Conti and Marcus Young Jr. each finished with 10 tackles. Young Jr. also had a forced fumble that was recovered by Conti. 

Cyrus Burden added eight tackles and Owen Beatty finished with seven tackles. 

Declan McAdams, Diamonte Salley and Bailey Johnson each had a pass break-up. 

Ty Boughman had six punts for 222 yards, while adding four kickoffs for an average of 56 yards per attempt. He was 3-for-3 on PATs. 

UP NEXT
Capital will be back in action as they travel to Heidelberg on Saturday, October 4th. Kickoff in Tiffin is slated for 1:30 p.m. The game will be the Comets' first road contest of the season and will mark the first of their next three games, all of which will be on the road.