COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University football team got to serenade the Capital University campus with the sweet sound of the victory bell on Homecoming Saturday as the Comets defeated Anderson by a final score of 37-12. The win puts Capital at 4-3 overall on the season, while Anderson drops to 1-6.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The early parts of the game did not result in scoring for either team as it wasn't until the Capital's second drive of the game that they would score the game's first points. Before the opening score however, the Comet defense came up with a huge play as
Bryson Roberts forced an Anderson fumble on the one-yard line that was recovered by
Olaoluwa Obayemi in the end zone for a touchback.
Capital did get the game's first score on their second drive of the game as
Xavier Rodriguez twisted and turned his way into the end zone on a nine-yard score. This came right after a big 31-yard run by Rodriguez as well.
Ethan Graham's PAT was good to make it 7-0.
In the second quarter, Capital scored again, this time on a 35-yard passing touchdown by
Tyler Love to
Demoyne Stoney who made a nice over-the-shoulder grab in the corner of the end zone. Graham's PAT made it 14-0, Capital – a score that would hold through halftime.
In the third quarter, Capital found another score, this time as
Zion Solomon hustled in a three-yard score. Again, Graham was good on the PAT for 21-0 Comet lead.
Right away to start the fourth quarter, Anderson's QB rushed in for a four-yard touchdown to make it 21-6, but the Comets quickly got the momentum back as
Robbie Hatcher blocked the PAT kick attempt and
Bailey Johnson recovered the loose ball and returned it 80 yards for a two-point defensive conversion that made it 23-6, Capital. Johnson's defensive two points marked the first time a Capital player accomplished that in a game since Kole Carter did so in October of 2018.
On the ensuing offensive possession, Capital got back to the end zone, this time on a pair of back-to-back rushes from
Xavier Rodriguez. First, the freshman ran 43 yards and then punched in the next play from the one yard line to go up 30-6.
Anderson's next drive was just one play as it was interrupted by
Bailey Johnson's interception.
Despite the pick from Johnson, Anderson scored on their next drive to make the score 30-12.
AJ Conti intercepted the two-point attempt to keep that score.
Later in the game, Capital iced the game. First, the Comets got the ball back as
Marlon Paige intercepted the Ravens quarterback. Then a few plays later, Jojo Ahon went off for a 73-yard touchdown run to polish off the game at 37-12 after
Hayden Wilcoxen connected on the PAT.
The final Anderson drive was ended as the QB fumbled the snap and
Eddie Turay jumped on it to allow Capital to kneel out the clock and give Capital the 37-12 win.
THE NUMBERS
Tyler Love passed for 139 yards and one touchdown on 14 completions. He also rushed for 17 yards.
Wesley Armstead was the leading receiver in terms of catches with four, while
Demoyne Stoney led in yardage and scores with 35 yards and one TD.
Jake Fitzpatrick had two catches for 25 yards, while
Xavier Rodriguez,
Trent Renz,
Preston Hannika,
Finn Devine and
Dominic Perella all added catches.
The Comets dominated the run game, recording 383 yards of rushing and four scores. Capital was led by
Xavier Rodriguez who logged 160 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries.
Zion Solomon also eclipsed 100 yards finishing with 110 and one score. Jojo Ahon was nearly the third Comet in triple digits as he finished with 99 yards and a score on four carries.
Hagan Lineberger,
Cobi Stevens,
Wesley Armstead and
Mar Harris all had rushes as well.
The Comet defense had a strong outing, being led by
Olaoluwa Obayemi who made 11 tackles. He also added a fumble recovery.
Bryson Roberts was next for Cap, making eight tackles with a forced fumble and pass breakup.
Marcus Young Jr. made six stops and was followed by three players with five tackles each –
Diamonte Salley,
Jio Rodriguez and
Landon Shutler.
Declan McAdams and
Caleb Walker each had a sack on the day, while
Bailey Johnson and
Marlon Paige each had an interception.
Eddie Turay added a fumble recovery and
Robbie Hatcher added a blocked kick.
Jensen Petro punted twice in the game with an average of 44.5 yards per boot. He also added six kickoffs for an average of 62 yards per kick.
Ethan Graham was 4-for-4 on PATs while
Hayden Wilcoxen was 1-of-1 on his PAT attempt.
HALL OF FAME GAME
In addition to Homecoming, Capital recognized the 2026 Capital Athletics Hal of Fame class pregame after a breakfast ceremony this morning. The 2026 induction class included Daniele Manalac Sanna Goncz, Mariah Richards Reichenbach, Christopher Weisgarber, Cory Trump and Joshua Cheyenne Woods.
UP NEXT
Capital will head across town next weekend as they will take on Otterbein University in Westerville on Saturday, October 31st. Kickoff is slated for noon.
