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The Capital University football team looks to end its longest losing streak since 2000 this Saturday against Baldwin Wallace at 2 p.m. at Bernlohr Stadium.
The Crusaders (1-5 overall, 1-4 OAC) were held to just 107 total yards of offense and trailed 52-0 at halftime en route to a 62-0 setback at Mount Union, the nation's No. 1 ranked team by both the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and D3football.com. It was the fourth straight loss for Capital and the most for the program since 2000, when that team lost seven straight after starting the year 3-0.
"We played against the best team in the country, and they certainly have to be a favorite to return to the Stagg Bowl," Capital coach Henry Stanford said. "I told the guys their performance was commendable … there were a number of guys who had great individual performances and held their own."
Things looked bright for the Crusaders in the early going in Alliance, as senior defensive lineman Seth Nelson (Columbus, Ohio) recovered a Purple Raiders fumble. Three plays later, Capital was at the Mount Union 22-yard line, but the Purple Raiders picked off junior quarterback Ryan Kremchek (Sylvania, Ohio) and returned it for a touchdown to turn the momentum early.
Junior wide receiver Alex Coleman (Columbus, Ohio) finished with 95 all-purpose yards, while freshman running back Chris Elledge (Pickerington, Ohio) led the rushing attack with 41 yards. Sophomore T.J. Langermeier (West Jefferson, Ohio) totaled 10 tackles, including one for a loss, to lead the defense.
Capital will make adjustments at offensive line and looks to feature both Kremchek and junior Alex Nydza (Cleveland, Ohio) at quarterback.
"Both Ryan and Alex will get opportunities, because they bring different dimensions to the table," Stanford said. "Ryan is more of a pocket passer, and has been gaining confidence, and Alex is more of a dual threat quarterback with his running ability."
The Crusaders continue their gauntlet of four straight games against the teams atop the Ohio Athletic Conference against Baldwin Wallace (5-1, 4-1), which was a 49-17 winner against Wilmington on Homecoming Saturday in Berea, Ohio.
The Yellow Jackets, who entered last week ranked 23rd in the country by the AFCA, jumped out to a 42-7 halftime lead and didn't look back. Baldwin Wallace rushed for 288 yards and scored five times on the ground. Sebastian Zuluaga led the rushing attack with two touchdowns and 54 yards, while Michael Slack gained 74 yards and scored once. Quarterback Ryan O'Rourke was an efficient 10-of-13 for 88 yards and two scores.
Defensively, the Yellow Jackets forced three fumbles and posted a pair of sacks. Defensive back Andrew Dziak and linebacker Michael Stacchiotti led the defense with six tackles each.
Offensively, BW ranks third in the OAC in rushing yards per game (167.7 ypg) and fourth in scoring offense (29.7 ppg). The Yellow Jackets are fifth in both scoring defense (20.3 ppg) and total defense, allowing 323.3 yards per contest.
Wide receiver Josiah Holt, a 2011 All-OAC selection, leads the offense with 522 receiving yards and five touchdowns, numbers which also rank among the best in the conference. O'Rourke enters Saturday's game with 1,136 yards though the air and 11 touchdown passes against five interceptions. Five players have at least 100 rushing yards for Baldwin Wallace, including team leader Tyler Lohr with 232.
Stacchiotti ranks seventh in the league in tackles per game and has 49 for the season to lead the Yellow Jackets.
"Baldwin Wallace presents a multitude of formations and shifts," Stanford said. "We'll need to have good attention to detail on defense. Offensively, we want to be balanced. Baldwin Wallace has a tradition of great linebackers and safeties."
In the meeting between Capital and Baldwin Wallace last season, the Crusaders pulled off a dramatic, come-from-behind 14-11 victory in Berea on Sept. 24 to move to 2-0 in the conference. Capital scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, capped by a 17-yard pass from quarterback Chase Carris to wide receiver Matt White with 15 seconds left. The two connected again on the two-point conversion for the final margin.
The final drive, which spanned 95 yards in just over two minutes, was set up by a forced fumble by the Crusader defense deep in its own territory. Defensive lineman Jay Bondzeleske recovered the ball at the 5-yard line and Carris, who finished with 239 yards and two touchdowns (one rushing), guided the team from there.
Four receivers posted five receptions or more, including White, who caught seven for 98. Defensive back Antoine Roberts led the defense with 11 tackles.
With the 2012 league schedule more than half over, Capital looks to snap its skid and make a push to the top half of the standings.
"On offense, we have to command the line of scrimmage and establish the run, then go to play action passing," Stanford said. "Defensively we have to have sound technique and have no breakdowns in coverage."
