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Otterbein University Athletics

Otterbein Cardinals

FB Capital
20
Winner Otterbein OTT 1-6 , 1-5
19
Capital CAP 2-5 , 0-5
Winner
Otterbein OTT
1-6 , 1-5
20
Final
19
Capital CAP
2-5 , 0-5
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
OTT Otterbein 7 7 6 0 20
CAP Capital 0 6 7 6 19

Game Recap: Football |

Football gives Marquis first win in Battle for the Oar

Matt Griffin's three touchdown day and a blocked field goal with 56 seconds to play keeps the Oar in Westerville for another year.

BEXLEY, Ohio – The first win in the Dave Marquis era is going to be one for the books. 

Clinging to a 20-19 lead over Capital with 56 seconds remaining, Austin Burchinal blocked the potential go-ahead field goal from the Comets, securing the victory for the Otterbein University football team. The win also keeps the coveted Oar in Otterbein's possession, winning the rivalry for the second consecutive season. 

Junior Matt Griffin had a career day, rushing for 129 yards and scoring all three Otterbein touchdowns. Under center, Duke Corley was 13 of 19 for 134 yards, as the Cardinals outgained Capital on the day and controlled the time of possession. 

Obtaining great field position at the 50, the Cardinals used seven plays to get on the board first midway through the first quarter. Griffin's first touchdown and a successful PAT from Braylon Balandra saw the visitors capture the early lead in the Battle for the Oar. That 7-0 score would hold throughout the end of the first quarter. 

On a fourth and one, the Comets scored on the first play of the second period, courtesy of a 9-yard touchdown run. A false start on the ensuing PAT backed the Comets up, missing the kick to keep Otterbein ahead, 7-6. 

With 8:39 to play before the half, Griffin found the end zone for a second time to push Otterbein's lead to 13-6. Facing a fourth and one, Griffin cut to his left and then raced up the middle for a 34-yard score. Balandra's PAT sailed through the uprights for a 14-6 advantage that would stand heading into halftime. 

Capital wasted no time getting on the board in the new half, using a 70-yard touchdown drive to cut the Otterbein lead to 14-13. The Comets continued to hold momentum for a majority of the second half, limiting Otterbein's chances. 

Otterbein's final score of the day came with more fourth down magic and overcoming three holding penalties on the drive. On a third and 17, Corley connected with Brayden Bayles for a 15-yard completion, setting up a fourth and two. Working all game long, Corley handed the ball off to Griffin who pounded his way into the end zone for a 20-14 lead. 

Early in the fourth, the Comets scored their third touchdown to trim the deficit to one. Going for two, the Capital pass fell incomplete, keeping the Cardinals ahead by one. 

With 7:06 remaining, Damar Anderson stepped in front of a Capital pass headed deep into Cardinal territory, picking it off at the Otterbein 10. The interception – Anderson's second of the season – kept the Comets off the scoreboard and allowed the Cardinal offense to burn some clock on its next drive. 

Unable to add to its lead, Otterbein was forced to punt, setting up a potential go-ahead drive from the Comets. With the ball at Otterbein's 4-yard line, Capital was whistled for offensive pass interference, pushing the Comets back 15 yards. The Otterbein defense continued to hold tough, not allowing the hosts to gain too much yardage back. With 56 seconds remaining, the Comets attempted a 32-yard field goal, blocked by Burchinal to deliver a memorable victory for the Cardinals. 

Sophomore Emmanuel Watson and Tre Jack were keys to the Otterbein defense. Watson's 10 tackles led the team, as Jack contributed seven total tackles, one for loss, and a quarterback hurry. 

Otterbein (1-6) remains on the road for another OAC matchup next weekend at Heidelberg. Kickoff against the Student Princes is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
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