Fightin’ Quakers fall at Muskingum

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NEW CONCORD, Ohio – Muskingum University had the ball for over 40 minutes minutes and rushed for over 350 yards in a 38-21 victory over the Wilmington College football team in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) action on Saturday.

The first half featured just three drives for each team. The Fighting Muskies converted a 4th-and-short from near midfield that led to a Brody Hahn 38-yard touchdown pass to Darius Hayes-Carruth. The Fightin’ Quakers’ first drive ended with a missed field goal from 43 yards out, and Muskingum answered with a second consecutive drive of over six minutes.

Trailing 14-0, Wilmington put together a 10-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 19-yard strike from Kyle Barrett to Itika Wynn Jr. The Muskies had the answer once again, chewing up another seven minutes and converting a second 4th-and-short that led to a field goal.

Wilmington had the ball just 8:35 of the first half compared to 21:25 for Muskingum. The Quakers received the kickoff the begin the second half, and converted a 4th-and-short themselves at midfield. Several plays later, deep in Musky territory, the Muskingum defense got a stop on fourth down and scored a touchdown on 4th-and-goal from the five-yard line over nine minutes later.

Trailing 24-7, the Quakers were forced to punt on their next drive, and the Muskies looked to put the game away towards the end of the third quarter. The Wilmington defense, which struggled to get off the field all game, forced a fumble on its open goal line. Two players later, Barrett, the reigning OAC Offensive Player of the Week, found Luke Richardson for a 96-yard touchdown.

The Wilmington defense couldn’t get its offense back the ball, however, as Muskingum scored on its next two possessions. The Quakers’ final score came on another long touchdown pass as Barrett found Wynn Jr. up the sideline for a 76-yard score.

Time of possession proved to be important as Muskingum had the ball for roughly 70 percent of the game. The hosts first four touchdown drives were over six minutes long. The Muskies also converted 9-of-14 (64 percent) of third down conversions while the Quakers were just 2-of-7 (29 percent).

Both offenses were successful in different ways as Muskingum ran for 361 yards and an average of 5.7 yards per carry while Wilmington threw for 363 yards. Both teams punted just once.

Individually, Barrett completed 19-of-29 for 363 yards and three touchdowns. His counterpart, Brody Hahn, was 10-for-11 for 161 yards and a touchdown. Gino Hinton, Jr. was Wilmington’s top rusher with 41 yards on nine carries. Bernard Johnson and Jeffery Curtis rushed for over 130 yards for Muskingum.

Wilmington’s receiving core had a busy afternoon with Wynn Jr. hauling in eight receptions for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Richardson had three receptions for 128 yards and a score while Ace Taylor hauled in eight passes for 90 yards.

Defensively, Ameer Jackson and Tavion Bryant both had 13 tackles for Wilmington while Bryant had a 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Drew Lowery tallied seven total tackles for Muskingum.

Wilmington (1-3, 1-2 OAC) head into its bye week before hosting No. 2 the University of Mount Union on Oct. 12.

Itika Wynn Jr. scores for the Fightin’ Quakers.
https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/09/web1_-3-ITIKA-WYNN-JR-SCORES-1.jpgItika Wynn Jr. scores for the Fightin’ Quakers. John Swartzel photos

Ace Taylor makes a late reception.
https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/09/web1_ACE-TAYLOR-MAKES-A-LATE-RECEPTION-FOR-A-FIRST-DOWN-1.jpgAce Taylor makes a late reception. John Swartzel photos

Tre’Quez Parks makes the stop for Wilmington College in their Saturday game at Muskingum.
https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/09/web1_TRE-QUEZ-PARKS-MAKES-THE-STOP-1.jpgTre’Quez Parks makes the stop for Wilmington College in their Saturday game at Muskingum. John Swartzel photos

Luke Richardson races for the goal line in Wilmington College’s game Saturday at Muskingum.
https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/09/web1_-2-KUKE-RICHARDSON-RACES-FOR-THE-GOAL-LINE-TO-SCORE-1.jpgLuke Richardson races for the goal line in Wilmington College’s game Saturday at Muskingum. John Swartzel photos
Muskies prevail 38-21

By Mitch Blankespoor

WC Director of Athletic Communications

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