Football beats Otterbein in OAC Crossover Divisional game

The Muskingum football team beat Otterbein in an Ohio Athletic Conference Crossover Divisional game on Friday night, 26-21. The contest marked the end of the spring OAC football season.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (1-2), Otterbein (1-4)
• Location: Memorial Stadium - Westerville, Ohio
• Duration: 2:58
• Attendance: 226

Notable

• Muskingum senior Brian Brown notched three interceptions to raise his career total to 13. Brown's three interceptions in a game are tied for second all-time at Muskingum, and he is tied for eighth all-time in career interceptions.

How it Happened

• Muskingum scored the first nine points of the game and the last 14 points to rally past the Cardinals.
• Muskingum capitalized on an Otterbein safety at the 13:40 mark of the first quarter to take a quick 2-0 lead.
• The Muskies extended its lead to 9-0 when freshman Gannon Unger hit junior Jordan Garrett for a 22-yard touchdown pass at the 9:49 mark of the first quarter.
• Otterbein outscored the Muskies 14-3 in the second quarter to take a 14-12 lead into the break. The Muskies points came via junior Gavin Costello, who booted a 39-yard field goal.
• The Cardinals extended their margin to 21-12 at the 8:12 mark of the third on a 10-yard touchdown run.
• Muskingum responded with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Garrett to senior Cameron Near to trim its deficit to 21-19 with 1:43 left in the third quarter.
• The Muskies scored the game-winning touchdown at the 8:12 mark of the fourth quarter when freshman Demarion Johnson plowed in from one-yard out to give Muskingum a 26-19 lead. The score capped off an impressive 11-play, 95-yard drive.

Inside the Numbers

• Muskingum churned out 398 yards of offense, which included 276 yards of passing. 
• The Muskies registered 22 first downs and held the ball for 33:18.
• Garrett went 26-of-40 passing for 254 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also added one touchdown reception for 22 yards and rushed for 45 yards on five totes.
• Near led the Muskie rushers with 17 rushes for 54 yards. He also led the receivers with seven grabs for 65 yards and one touchdown. 
• Unger tossed one 22-yard touchdown and had three receptions for 10 yards.
• Muskingum's defense forced Otterbein into throwing six interceptions.
• Senior Nehemiah Bowie led the Muskie defense with nine tackles. He also logged one interception.
• Brown had seven stops and three interceptions.
• Sophomore Tristan Howell had six stops, two interceptions, and one sack.
• Otterbein had 415 yards of offense and 21 first downs. The Cardinals had 370 yards passing.
• Bryce Hall went 20-of-42 passing for 370 yards with two touchdowns and six interceptions.
• J. Bost-Floyd led the Otterbein rushers with 35 yards on seven carries.
• Reed Tucker led all receivers with 100 yards on six receptions.
• Jalan Minney had three catches for 82 yards and one score.
• Jacob Tiell and Connor Buchanan led Otterbein with 12 tackles each.