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The Capital University football team hopes to get back on track in Ohio Athletic Conference play this Saturday against John Carroll in a 2 p.m. kickoff at Bernlohr Stadium.
The Crusaders (1-2 overall, 1-1 OAC) fell to .500 in the league last Saturday with a 28-14 setback at Ohio Northern. The Polar Bears outgained Capital 238-72 in the first half, jumping out to a 21-0 halftime advantage before the Crusaders scored twice in the second half.
Junior quarterback Alex Nydza (Cleveland, Ohio) and sophomore running back Nolan Gill (Hilliard, Ohio) each scored a touchdown for Capital in the contest, which was delayed for over an hour with four minutes left in the second quarter due to inclement weather.
Crusaders coach Henry Stanford pointed out the strong individual performances of senior defensive linemen Seth Nelson (Columbus, Ohio), Aaron Knisley (Bexley, Ohio) and junior defensive back Domenic Hebebrand (Hinckley, Ohio). Knisley led the team with 12 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss, and Nelson was close behind with nine stops. Hebebrand posted eight tackles, a forced fumble and a sack.
Stanford also noted the team's need to play better in all three phases – offense, defense and special teams.
The offense finished just 5-of-17 passing for 44 yards and one interception. In addition, while both teams were 9-of-15 on third-down conversions, Stanford said the timeliness of ONU's pickups had much more of an effect on the momentum of the game.
"We didn't play our best game, didn't execute on all three downs," Stanford said. "We didn't get the pursuit we want on defense or the balance we want on offense. If you're not doing the little things, you won't win."
John Carroll (1-2, 0-2) enters Saturday's game off a 21-7 setback at Otterbein. The Blue Streaks scored on their second drive of the contest to take a 7-0 advantage but were held in check for the remainder, posting 255 yards of total offense and losing three fumbles.
Defensively, John Carroll allowed just 47 yards rushing but was unable to force a turnover. The team also committed 11 penalties for 106 yards, compared to eight for 48 for the Cardinals.
Senior running back DaQuan Grobsmith, who currently ranks fourth in the league in rushing, led the Blue Streaks with 99 all-purpose yards. Sophomore linebacker Kevin Cope led the JCU defense with 13 tackles, including 12 solo stops and 2.0 for a loss.
Grobsmith and All-OAC tight end Ben Madden (13 receptions, 107 yards, TD this season) present challenging matchups for the Crusader defense.
"Grobsmith is one of the fastest running backs we'll see this year," Stanford said. "We'll need to corral him to the sideline. They're doing a lot of the same things with Madden that we did last year with (all-region wide receiver) Matt White."
Defensively, the Blue Streaks return a number of veterans to a 4-3 defense.
"They have a tradition of good linebackers," Stanford said. "We'll need to win up front and get to the second level to block them."
Last season, Capital surrendered 17 unanswered points in the second quarter, falling behind 24-14 at the half on its way to a 37-24 defeat in University Heights on Oct. 29, 2011.
The Crusaders made it a one-possession game in the fourth quarter on running back Josh Anderson's second score of the contest, but the Blue Streaks responded with a touchdown on their ensuing possession before causing a Capital turnover to retake control of the game.
The Crusaders surrendered 549 yards of total offense and John Carroll possessed the ball for nearly 35 minutes. Wide receiver Alex Coleman (Columbus, Ohio) tossed a touchdown pass on a trick play.
Capital seeks its first win over the Blue Streaks since 2009 on Saturday. As is the case every week in the grueling OAC, it won't be easy.
"We have to command the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and master special teams to win the field position battle," Stanford said. "We just need to play sound football."
