NEW CONCORD, Ohio – The Otterbein football team suffered a disappointing loss Saturday afternoon on the road, watching host Muskingum punch in a game-winning touchdown in the closing seconds to emerge with a 21-14 decision at an overcast McGonagha Stadium.

Otterbein had early scoring chances again for the second-straight week, but came up empty with a missed field goal on its opening drive and then failed to convert a 4th-and-2 at the 15-yard line to begin the second quarter.

The Cardinal defense hung tough in the first quarter by forcing three punts, but Muskingum eventually hit the scoreboard on a 44-yard touchdown strike from Brody Hahn to Terry Geiger midway through the period.

Otterbein answered immediately on the next possession, which began near midfield after linebacker Colton Miles snagged a kickoff up front and returned it 14 yards. Steven Irwin found classmate Payton Vanderkooi on a 34-yard TD pass moments later, and the extra-point from Tanner Brooks brought the game even at 7-7.

That score remained the same into intermission, and Otterbein jumped ahead 14-7 early in the third quarter after completing an 11-play scoring drive. It was culminated with a five-yard rushing score from Vanderkooi on second down.

Otterbein had the opportunity to make it a double-digit lead later in the third but another field-goal attempt missed (this time hitting the crossbar), and the host Muskies seized new life early in the final period. The hosts faced a 4th-and-7 from the 14-yard line, and promptly converted with a touchdown pass to become deadlocked again.

The Cardinals would unfortunately come up short during a pair of possessions down the stretch, which both started across midfield in Muskingum territory. Otterbein was forced to punt on the first occasion before a 4th-and-5 pass from the Muskie 35-yard line was incomplete on the second sequence.

Muskingum embarked on its game-winning drive from there, converting three-straight third downs and ultimately punching in a short rushing score from Hahn with just four seconds on the game clock. The victory snaps a 14-game losing streak in the series for Muskingum, which improves to 3-4 overall and 2-4 within the league.

Vanderkooi led the Cards with six grabs for 105 yards, his second-straight game surpassing the century mark, while Dakota Smith ran 18 times for 51 yards. Linebacker Jake Harper had a career-high 15 tackles back near his hometown, safety Niall Lewison added 12 and Miles posted 10.

Otterbein (1-6, 0-6 OAC) will return home and host cross-town rival Capital (0-7, 0-6 OAC) next Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.