Heidelberg Loses 42-10 to #10 Ranked Capital

The Heidelberg College football team gave up the first of two team safeties in the first half of play to Ohio Athletic Conference opponent Capital University just over three minutes into the game and the nationally ranked Crusaders never lost the lead. The Berg falls to 1-2 overall and 0-2 in the OAC for the year.

Less than a minute after the safety, Capital’s quarterback, Marty Assmann completed a 28 yard pass to wide receiver Evan Blake for the Crusader’s first of five touchdowns on the day. Mark Spitz’s attempt at an extra point was good, putting Capital up 9-0 with 12:12 left in the first quarter.

Assmann would complete one more touchdown pass to Jake Nickle before Heidelberg would score their first points of the day. The Berg began their drive towards the goal at the start of the second period. Quarterback Steve West (Huron, Ohio / Huron) completed a 16 yard pass to Kyle McConnell (Bellevue, Ohio / Seneca East) for a first down for Heidelberg. The Student Princes made it all the way down to the Crusader’s 22nd yard line, but were unable to move the ball any further. Jesse Hawkins (Georgetown, Ky. / Scott County) kicked a 35-yard field goal to put the score at 3-16 in favor of Capital.

It would not be until mid-way through the third quarter until Heidelberg scored again. By then, Capital racked up two more touchdowns and had managed to push Heidelberg back for a second time for another safety.

With just over seven minutes left in the third, ’Berg defensive back Fran Cavotta (Highland Heights, Ohio / North Olmsted) forced a fumble from Capital running back Matt Merritt at Heidelberg’s 40 yard line and recovered it himself. He picked it up and ran 60 yards for the lone Heidelberg touchdown of the game, bringing the score up to 32-10.

Capital would go onto score a field goal and a touchdown off a blocked punt in fourth quarter, placing the final score at 42-10.

Overall, Capital managed to out rush the Berg 144 yards to 28, and the Crusaders passed for 264 yards compared to Heidelberg’s 96. On the day, Heidelberg only was able to earn 68 yards on 56 attempts, while Capital recorded 408 yards on 57 attempts. West went 13-22 passing for the Student Princes, with Andrew Miller (Dalton, Ohio / Dalton) stepping in and completing one pass off his only attempt for a total of three yards. Dawond Roddy (Sidney, Ohio / Sidney) and Kenny Sims (Garfield Heights, Ohio / Garfield Heights) each caught three passes for Heidelberg for a total of 23 yards combined.

Defensively for the Berg, Charlie Peffley (Hicksville, Ohio / Hicksville) led the team with eight solo tackles and two assisted tackles, with Tony Carothers (Bloomingdale, Ohio / Harrison) close behind with six solo tackles and one assisted tackle.

The Berg returns to action Saturday Sept. 29 against defending national champion Mount Union at home in Tiffin, Ohio at 1:30 p.m.