Football wins season opener vs. Ferrum on Community Day

Senior quarterback Doug Crawford led the Muskie offense with four touchdowns, and the Muskie defense clamped down on Ferrum to lead Muskingum to a season-opening win on Community Day at the Bullock Health and Wellness Complex on Saturday, 31-20.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (1-0 overall), Ferrum (1-0 overall)
• Location: Bullock Health and Wellness Complex - New Concord, Ohio
• Attendance: 2,100
• Weather: 83 and sunny

Notables

• The contest marked the first Community Day collaboration between the Friends of New Concord and Muskingum University. All fans were admitted free to the game, and a Party in the Park at the War Memorial Park in New Concord followed the contest. The Friendship 7 performed the national anthem. 
• Senior quarterback Doug Crawford and sophomore linebacker Conner Gurney were named the Muskingum Wally's Pizza Players of the Game.
• Muskingum is now 2-0 all-time against Ferrum. The Muskies beat the Panthers last year at Ferrum, 31-3.

Inside the Numbers

• Senior quarterback Doug Crawford went 21-of-32 with two interceptions for 223 yards and three touchdowns. He also added a team-high 78 yards rushing and one touchdown.
• Senior receiver Travis Roberson hauled in two touchdown grabs on three receptions.
• Senior receiver Ja'Lin Goodman had four receptions for 40 yards and one score.
• Senior receiver Zuri Edmondson led the Muskie receivers with five receptions for 74 yards.
• Senior running back Donny Wilkinson led the rushing attack with 55 yards on 14 totes.
• Sophomore back Noah Wellmeier added 30 yards on 11 carries.
• Sophomore Conner Gurney led the defensive effort with 10 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks.
• Junior linebacker Austin Willforth registered six stops.
• The Muskie special teams were paced by senior kicker Hunter Albers, who connected on a 40-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter.
• As a team, the Muskie offense churned out 401 yards (166 rushing/235 passing) and 22 first downs.
• The Muskie defense held Ferrum to 222 yards and 16 first downs
• Muskingum controlled the time of possession with a 36:26-23:34 edge and was 4-of-5 in the red zone with four touchdowns.
• Will Hairston led the Ferrum defense with 11 hits and one sack.
• Braxton Hughes paced the offense of the Panthers, going 18-of-32 for 195 yards and one score. He also rushed for 20 yards and one touchdown.
• Ryan Downer led all receivers with six grabs for 47 yards.

Up Next

• Muskingum next opens Ohio Athletic Conference play at Otterbein on Saturday, September 9, at 12:00 p.m. The contest is the OAC TV Game of the Week.