Football delivers Homecoming victory with fourth-quarter surge against Otterbein

The Muskingum football delivered a Homecoming victory against Otterbein on Saturday afternoon, 21-14. The Muskies used a fourth-quarter surge to score two touchdowns - including the game winner with four seconds on the clock - to erase a 14-7 deficit.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (3-4 overall, 2-4 OAC), Otterbein (1-6 overall, 0-6 OAC)
• Location: New Concord, Ohio - McConagha Stadium
• Attendance: 1,689
• Weather: 52 degrees, overcast, breezy, and chilly

Notables

• The contest was part of Muskigum's 97th Homecoming.
• At halftime, Muskingum recognized the 1978 Men's Golf OAC Championship team, the 1988 Men's Basketball OAC Championship team, and the 1998 Softball OAC Championship team.
• Genesis Healthcare System served as the GAMEDAY sponsor. 
• Muskingum sophomore wide receiver Terry Geiger and Otterbein's Jake Harper were named the Genesis Healthcare System Players of the Game. Geiger had five receptions for a game-high 124 yards and two touchdowns. Harper led the Cardinal defensive effort with 15 tackles.

How It Happened

• The Muskies, who trailed 14-7 entering the fourth quarter, orchestrated an eight-play, 61-yard drive that culminated with a 14-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-seven play from freshman quarterback Jordan Garrett to Geiger to knot the game at 14-14 following freshman kicker Gavin Costello's PAT with 10:46 on the clock. 
• Following four straight possessions combined by both teams that ended in punts, Muskingum's defense stood tall after Otterbein took possession at the Muskie 40. Muskingum's defense held the Cardinals on four-straight plays to take possession at its own 35 with 5:19 to play.
• The Muskies then churned out an 11-play, 65-yard drive that ended with sophomore quarterback Brody Hahn scoring on a three-yard run with four seconds on the clock to give Muskingum a 21-14 lead. Muskingum converted three third-down conversions on the game-winning drive. 
• Muskingum controlled play in the fourth quarter with a 11:47-3:13 time of possession advantage and held the Cardinals to just 23 yards of offense in the frame.
• The Muskies struck first at the 6:12 point in the second quarter on Hahn's 44-yard touchdown pass to Geiger. The play ended a nine-play, 82-yard drive.
• Otterbein tied the game on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Steven Irwin to Payton Vanderkooi with 4:57 remaining in the half.
• The Cardinals took a 14-7 lead on Vanderkooi's five-yard touchdown run at the 8:31 point of the third quarter to set the stage for the Muskie fourth-quarter comeback. 

Inside The Numbers

• Muskingum ended the game with 280 yards of offense and 15 first downs. Otterbein had 259 yards of offense and 15 first downs.
• The Muskies were 2-for-2 in the red zone - with two touchdowns
• Hahn and Garrett directed the Muskingum offense. Hahn went 11-of-17 for 137 yards and one touchdown. He also added 40 yards rushing on 13 totes with one score. Garrett went 5-of-13 for 56 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 17 yards on four carries.
• Geiger hauled in five receptions for 124 yards and two scores.
• Freshman wide out Amin Shaheed had four receptions for 40 yards.
• Sophomore linebacker Ethan Hall led the defensive effort with 10 stops and one tackle for loss.
• Sophomore defensive back Brian Brown, sophomore defensive end Jacob Scott, sophomore defensive back Cortez McGinnis, and senior linebacker Brandon Schon all had seven hits.
• Sophomore punter Jarett Patton had eight punts for 296 yards. He averaged 37 yards per boot and placed one inside the 20.
• Costello was a perfect 3-for-3 in extra point attempts and had four kickoffs for 178 yards, with one touchback.
• Irwin led Otterbein going 12-of-26 for 157 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also had 45 yards rushing on 18 rushes.
• Dakota Smith rushed for a team-best 51 yards on 18 totes.
• Vanderkooi led the receivers with five receptions for 100 yards and one score.
• Harper led the Cardinal defense with 15 tackles, while Niall Lewison had 12 stops.

Up Next

• Muskingum next travels to Heidelberg on Saturday, October 27. Game time is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.