PHOTO GALLERY

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein football team dropped a 31-14 contest with Muskingum Saturday afternoon at a brisk Memorial Stadium, the first home game for the Cardinals in five weeks.

Muskingum (4-3, 3-3 OAC) controlled the ball at length across the day, ultimately racking up nearly 37 minutes in time of possession. The Muskies kicked a 38-yard field goal following a seven-plus minute drive in the first quarter, and then extended the margin after an 83-yard touchdown drive midway through the second.

Otterbein, trailing 10-0, went on 4th-and-1 at midfield shortly thereafter in a key spot. Quarterback Bryce Hall checked to an audible after seeing the initial look, but a miscommunication in the backfield ultimately allowed the Muskies to take over. Jordan Garrett found Zuri Edmondson in the back of the end zone a few players later to make the score 17-0.

The Cardinals got on the board just before halftime by marching 74 yards in just 3:36 of game time. Hall connected with tight end Jeb Jones on a misdirection pass coming back across the opposite side of the defense.

Muskingum pieced together two more scoring drives over six minutes in the second half, controlling the pace and opening a 31-7 lead. Otterbein had a prime opportunity near the goal line (down 24-7) just prior to that, but a 4th-and-1 pass was intercepted by Cortez McGinnis in the end zone.

Otterbein capped the scoring late when Hall found Marcellus Vanderkodde toward the sideline, and the freshman made multiple defenders miss before scooting inside the left pylon.

Siraj Muhammad had a strong day from the Cardinal backfield, running 22 times for 164 yards and then also making three catches for another 36. Freshman Jakobi Alvin snagged three balls for 73 yards, including a deep one up the right sideline.

Safeties Max Walden and Charlie Hornacek combined for 20 tackles to lead Otterbein's defense. Muskingum's Azarious Williams led all players with 15.

Garrett was steady most of the day, completing 18 of 28 passes for 246 yards and scoring four total touchdowns. Donny Wilkinson rushed 17 times for 126 yards while Edmondson went over the 100-yard plateau.

Earlier in the day, Otterbein inducted its 2021 Athletics Hall of Fame class by welcoming Marcia Baer, Porter Miller, Connie Richardson, Ally (Tobin) Detwiler, Kevin Weakley and the 2010 women's soccer team.  READ MORE ABOUT THEM HERE

Otterbein will be back in action next week, head across town to play rival Capital inside Bernlohr Stadium at 1:30 p.m.