Muskies’ upset bid comes up short on missed field goal

NEW CONCORD, Ohio – The Muskingum (1-6, 0-6) defense posted their best performance of the season but it still wasn’t enough as they fell to Ohio Northern (5-2, 4-2) at home 7-6.

The Muskie defense force five turnovers – three interceptions and two fumble recoveries – while also holding the Polar Bears to their lowest scoring output this season. The first turnover lead directly to Muskingum’s only touchdown. It came on a fumble recovery early in the second quarter deep in Polar Bear territory. A few plays later Brody Hahn found Cameron Near out of the back field for a touchdown. The Muskies missed the PAT.

That was the only scoring in the first half and both teams went to the locker rooms with the underdog Muskies up 6-0.

ONU took the second half kickoff and marched down the field for a quick touchdown drive that was capped off by a short run by sophomore running back Christiaan Williams. Williams, who two weeks ago ran for a school record 407 yards against Captial, raced for a game high 168 yards in New Concord Saturday. The Polar Bears made the all important PAT to go up 7-6.

While the Muskingum offense struggled to move the ball, the Muskie defense was keeping Muskingum in the game with turnovers. Twice in the second half the Muskie secondary intercepted ONU quarterback Will Freed.

Then with three minutes to play in the game ONU had the ball inside the Muskingum redzone and they were threatening to score. However, a snap from the center bounced off a receiver in motion across the formation and Muskingum pounced on the loose ball.

The Muskies took over trailing 7-6 with about 90 yards of turf in front of them. Hahn lead the team all the way down to the ONU 5-yard line and from there they lined up for the go ahead field goal. With second left to play freshamn Jarett Patton’s short field goal attempt was wide right.

Ohio Northern took over and with one quarterback kneel survived the upset and went back to Ada with a 7-6 win.

“Our defense did a great job. We did some things different this week. Got some different kids in the game and played some more guys. It’s a bright future for these guys. Unfortunately this stings a little bit,” said Muskie head coach Al Logan

Muskingum has now dropped six straight since winning their opener. Up next for the Fighting Muskies is a road trip to John Carroll next Saturday.