Defensive battle ends in emotional loss

Muskingum's 22-yard field goal at the end of the game missed wide right and Ohio Northern survived a defensive battle in New Concord with a 7-6 win.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (1-6 overall, 0-6 OAC), Ohio Northern (5-2 overall, 4-2 OAC)
• Location: New Concord, Ohio - McConagha Stadium
• Weather: 74 degrees and sunny
• Attendance: 1,287

Notables

• Muskingum freshman quarterback Brody Hahn passed for 172 yards to raise his season total to 1,432 yards, which ranks seventh all-time for a single season at Muskingum. Furthermore, Hahn has amassed 1,801 (1,432 pass/369 rush) yards of total offense, which ranks fourth all-time for a single season.

How It Happened

Trailing 7-6 late in the fourth quarter and Ohio Northern deep in Muskie territory, Muskingum junior linebacker Nick Thomas recovered an Ohio Northern fumble at the Muskie nine-yard line with 2:52 left in the contest. The Muskies orchestrated an 11-play, 86-yard drive that was highlighted by a 40-yard acrobatic catch by senior wide receiver Damon Jones from Hahn. Muskingum had first-and-goal from the Ohio Northern five-yard line with less than a minute to play. The Muskies ran three plays and faced a fourth-and-goal from the five and brought on the field-goal squad to attempt a 22-yard field goal. The attempt missed wide right and Ohio Northern kneeled out the clock.

Scoring Drives

• Muskingum's Thomas recovered an Ohio Northern fumble that handed the Muskies the ball at the ONU 14-yard line. Muskingum used three plays that culminated in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Hahn to freshman running back Cameron Near to give Muskingum a 6-0 lead early in the second quarter. The PAT attempt was blocked.
• Ohio Northern scored the game-winning touchdown at the 10:23 mark of the third quarter after going 75 yards on 11 plays. Christiaan Williams powered in from two yards out to tie the contest and Chase Watson's PAT gave Ohio Northern the 7-6 lead.

Inside The Numbers

• Muskingum forced five turnovers on the day. Thomas recovered two fumbles and had one interception, while freshmen defensive backs Nehemiah Bowie and Brian Brown each had one interception.
• The Muskie defense racked up eight tackles for loss for 21 yards, which included two sacks.
• Muskingum registered 15 first downs and churned out 268 yards of total offense. The Muskies controlled the ball for 28:53.
• Ohio Northern posted 361 yards of offense, which included 308 yards in the second half. The Polar Bears had 19 first downs and a time of possession of 31:07.

The Players

• Muskingum freshman linebacker Drew Lowery notched a game-high and career-best 13 tackles.
• Thomas registered a career-high 12 stops with two fumble recoveries and one interception.
• Brown had nine stops.
• Hahn went 16-of-28 for 172 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed for 29 yards on 14 totes.
• Freshman running back Cameron Near rushed for 26 yards and had 11 yards receiving with one score.
• Jones led all receivers with 87 yards on three grabs.
• Senior Granger Long had five receptions for 49 yards.
• Ohio Northern's Will Freed went 16-of-28 for 188 yards and three interceptions.
• Williams rushed for 168 yards on 38 totes with one touchdown. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry. 
• Malachi Nolletti led the Polar Bears with five receptions for 74 yards.
• Zach Schmerge logged 10 stops and Christian Randolph had four tackles and one interception.

Up Next

• Muskingum next travels to John Carroll on Saturday, October 28. Game time is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.