BEREA, Ohio – The Capital University football team was overpowered in an eventual 49-10 road loss to Baldwin Wallace on Saturday. The Yellow Jackets have been receiving votes in the national polls each week this season. With today's result, the Comets evened their record at 2-2 overall, while BW moved to 3-0.
The highlight of the day was a career day in receiving by
Preston Hannika who recorded 217 yards on 10 catches and one 62-yard touchdown. Hannika's 217-yard showing marked the first 200+ yard receiving performance by a Capital player since David Barnett recorded 225 yards on September 8, 2018 at Marietta.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Across the first quarter, Capital's offense couldn't quite get going, despite a fumble recovery turnover from
Robbie Hatcher on the defensive side of the ball. As the Comets struggled to break through on the scoreboard they finally got off the mark in the second quarter with
Ethan Graham connecting on a 23-yard field goal to bring the score to 14-3.
That field goal seemed to spark the Comets as the defense forced a punt from BW and got the ball back to Capital on their next drive. On that drive, the Comets scored on a 3rd-and-14 play that saw
Tyler Love connect with
Preston Hannika for a 62-yard score. Graham connected on the PAT, making it 14-10.
Despite the spurt of momentum, Capital's offense could keep up the pressure as that score would be their last in the game.
Into the third quarter, Capital again recovered a BW fumble, this time coming from
Markus Mealy on punt coverage. Unfortunately for the Purple and White, the Comets ensuing possession in BW territory was halted by a Yellow Jacket interception.
In the end, BW used the running game to their advantage and tacked onto the score, bringing the final to 49-10.
THE NUMBERS
Tyler Love threw for 250 yards on 12 completions with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Donovan Duncan tossed for 15 yards on two completions.
Preston Hannika had the hot hand in the receiving game, catching 10 passes for a career-high 217 yards and the one touchdown.
Demoyne Stoney recorded two catches for 35 yards, while
Xavier Rodriguez and
Trent Renz each had a catch.
The rush game for Capital struggled to get going on the day as the Comets garnered just 66 yards on the ground.
Markus Mealy led that category with 18 yards.
Marlon Paige was the leading tackler for Capital, stopping the Yellow Jackets eight times.
Diamonte Salley,
Marcus Young Jr.,
Olaoluwa Obayemi,
AJ Adams and
Miles Miesse each had six tackles as well. Salley added a forced fumble to his efforts, while Adams combined for
Quincy Hains for a TFL.
Robbie Hatcher and
AJ Conti each tacked on five tackles with Hatcher having a fumble recovery as well.
On special teams,
Ethan Graham connected on his two kick attempts – a 23-yard field goal and a PAT.
Jensen Petro sent three kickoffs for a 62.7 yard average and seven punts for an average of 33.6 yards per boot.
Bailey Johnson had seven kickoff returns for 115 yards and two punt returns for nine yards.
UP NEXT
Capital will take their bye week this coming week, October 3rd, before returning to action on October 10th for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff at Muskingum.
