Box Score

NEW CONCORD, Ohio – The Otterbein University football team got itself back into the win column with a much-needed victory Saturday afternoon, scoring a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns and leaving Muskingum University with a 30-17 triumph.

The Cardinals, entering the game holding three narrow losses by a combined 10 points, improve themselves to 2-3 on the season and 2-2 within Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play as a result of their 13th-consecutive win in the series.

Muskingum (2-3, 2-2 OAC) got off to a hot start in front of its home crowd, taking the opening kickoff and strolling just 55 yards in eight plays to grab an early 7-0 advantage.

The Cards also got on the scoreboard with their first possession, settling for a 27-yard field goal from sophomore Joe Sanfillipo after coming up short on a third-down opportunity. Otterbein then extended the lead to 9-7 early in the second quarter on an 8-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Logan Stepp to junior classmate Julian Lowe. The extra-point attempt was blocked.

Muskingum finished off the second-quarter scoring just before halftime, nailing a chip-shot 21-yard field goal in the closing minute to take a slim 10-9 lead into the locker rooms.

The Cards began moving the ball on their first drive of the second half, but Stepp unfortunately tossed his first interception of the year when a receiver slipped downfield and the ball went right into the hands of a Muskingum defensive back.

Senior Jalen Liggins gave Otterbein the ball right back on the next play, tracking down a long pass up the sideline and securing his first-career interception. The Cards quickly took advantage, going 60 yards in under two minutes and culminating the sequence with a 6-yard rushing score from Stepp, who then hit tight end Josh Plieninger for a two-point conversion.

Otterbein, leading 17-10, later had a 3rd-and-1 near midfield as the third quarter wound down but unfortunately saw a quick slant pass drop incomplete. The Muskies took over on their own 15-yard line after a punt, and strung together a seven-play touchdown drive in just 2:20 of game action to help tie the affair at 17-17.

The Cardinals answered right back with what ended up being the difference-making drive, embarking on a lengthy 12-play, 79-yard offensive series that took up over six minutes of action. Stepp fell in from one-yard out to put his group up 23-17 before the extra-point hit the upright and bounced backwards.

The Muskies moved the ball deep into Otterbein territory as they looked for a go-ahead touchdown, but a few passes into the end zone fell incomplete as the Tan and Cardinal took over. Junior running back Isaiah Richmond put the finishing touches on the game shortly thereafter, busting through the middle and rumbling 61 yards for the clinching score.

Stepp and Richmond both went over 100 yards on the ground to pace the Otterbein offense, with Stepp also completing 11 of 17 passes for 137 yards. He accounted for three total touchdowns on the day and now has 15 on the season.

Junior slot receiver Payton Vanderkooi, getting the first start of his career as the wide receiving corps reshuffled due to the absence of Hunter Joseph (injury), had four catches for 51 yards to lead his club in receiving for a second-straight outing.

Safety Steven Carpenter led the defense with a season-high 14 tackles (11 solo), while Liggins and linebacker Austin Jones had eight and seven, respectively. Defensive end Kyle Blust had two tackles for loss and his fifth sack of the year.

Otterbein, going 4 for 4 in the red zone, finished with a 262-136 edge over Muskingum on the ground and was 5 of 8 on third downs throughout.

Muskingum quarterback Griffin Degener went a solid 24 of 35 for 250 yards and a touchdown while Granger Long posted game highs of nine receptions for 129 yards. Standout Muskie linebacker Chaney Fulton led his defense with 10 tackles.

Otterbein will be back home next Saturday evening, hosting Heidelberg University at 7 p.m. as part of Hall of Fame weekend. All-American linebacker Don Snider, class of 1979, will be one of six inductees.