Muskingum preparing for talented Otterbein team

NEW CONCORD, Ohio – It’s seems like most times Otterbein and Muskingum meet on the gridiron it’s a close game.

Despite that, Muskingum hasn’t beaten the Cardinals since 2003. The Muskies will try to buck that trend when they head to Westerville this Saturday to play a Cardinal team that is loaded with talent.

Like Muskingum, Otterbein won their season opener. Otterbein beat Ohio Wesleyan on the road 36-15 last week. The Muskies pitched a shut out in week over, their first in five years.

“I thought we had real good week of practice last week and I think we’ve had a little better week this week. They’re fired up to play Otterbein. It’s not just our next game, but last year we kind of messed around and lost at the end of the game to Otterbein,” said Muskie head coach Al Logan.

Four of the last six meetings between the two schools have been decided by 10 points or less. Otterbein got the victory in New Concord last year 30-17.

The Cards will be lead by senior quarterback Logan Stepp. He’s a converted wide receiver who was OAC Offensive Player of the Week last week. Stepp tossed for 402 yards in Otterbein’s win over OWU.

“[Stepp] is a play maker and you have to defend him. He does a great job of not just throwing but running. You’ve got to account for him. He was a first team all-OAC kid last year with some great quarterbacks in our conference so that tells you a little bit about him,” said Logan.

As for his quarterback situation Logan said he expects to use both freshman Brody Hahn and senior Dilon Strine. Strine started in last week’s win over Waynesburg but Hahn came off the bench and ran for a touchdown.

The two OAC foes have played 76 times before, the Muskies hold the advantage 39-35-2. They first played in 1905.

The game will kickoff from Otterbein’s Memorial Stadium at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.