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 Posted October 15, 2005 By Sam McCarthy, Assistant Sports Information Director Crusaders Pull Away, Defeat Muskingum Capital 30, Muskingum 13 [Box Score] (NEW CONCORD, Ohio)—Capital University's football team took their show on the road to New Concord, Ohio and came away with a 30-13 victory in an Ohio Athletic Conference matchup against Muskingum College, propelled by a season-high 26-carry 113-yard performance from senior running back Colin O'Reilly (Bexley/Bexley). The win gives the Crusaders two victories in a row and improves their record to 4-2 (3-2 OAC) as Muskingum drops to 1-5 (1-4 OAC). After picking up two first downs on the first offensive series of the game, Capital was forced to punt and was successful in pinning the Muskies back deep in their own territory at the 16-yard line. However, Muskingum's running game kicked into gear and they marched down the field for a touchdown, going 84 yards on only seven plays to get on the scoreboard first with a 7-0 advantage. Capital responded in a big way on their next offensive possession, going 78 yards in 12 plays with junior quarterback Rocky Pentello (Westerville/Westerville South) hooking up with senior wide receiver Chad Stencil (Avon/Avon) on a five-yard touchdown pass. Pentello was 7-7 passing on the drive, three of his tosses going to Stencil. Muskingum blocked the extra-point attempt and kept their lead at 7-6. On their first drive, Muskingum picked up 84 yards, all on the ground, but the Crusaders defense tightened up and stifled the Muskie running game for the rest of the half, giving up only two more yards before halftime. Sophomore kicker Matt Spitz (Xenia/Xenia) split the uprights with a 32-yard field goal at the beginning of the second quarter and after a short drive by Muskingum, junior defensive back Kyle Hausler (Hilliard/Hilliard Davidson) blocked the Brian Gulley punt and Capital would take the ball in Muskie territory at the 45-yard line. Again the Crusaders were quick to capitalize on the terrific field position and after three plays, Pentello found senior wide receiver Lewis Howes (Delaware/Principia Prep) for a 20-yard touchdown strike and improve their lead to 16-7. O'Reilly would give the Crusaders a 23-7 advantage at the end of the second quarter with a three-yard touchdown run, capping off a 10-play 68-yard drive for Capital. Muskingum would add a touchdown on their second possession of the third quarter to cut the Crusader lead to 10, but thats as close as they would get. O'Reilly tacked on another touchdown at the end of the third quarter and after a scoreless fourth frame the game would end with a score of 30-13 in favor of the Crusaders. Pentello finished 20-31 for 228 yards and a pair of scores and although he did not catch a touchdown, senior wide receiver Kive Kraft (Amanda/Amanda-Clearcreek) was Pentello's favorite target, grabbing seven balls for 75 yards on the afternoon. Stencil, Howes, junior Graham Holmberg (Newark/Newark) and senior Kyle Rankin (Kipling/Meadowbrook) each caught three passes apiece. Muskingum's rushing attack, which came into the game averaging 187 yards per contest, was held to a mere 95 on 47 carries by Capital's defense, speerheaded by senior linebacker Joel Sickmeier (Pickerington/Pickerington Central) who totaled 12 tackles, three for a loss. Junior defensive tackle Zac McKenzie (Hilliard/Hilliard Darby) had eight tackles and two of the Crusaders seven sacks on the day, while sophomore defensive back James Starks (Toledo/St.Francis-DeSales) notched a sack and two pass breakups. Capital will return home to Bernlohr Stadium next Saturday to host Baldwin-Wallace (3-3, 2-3 OAC) at 1:30 p.m. |
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