The Muskingum football team traveled to Wilmington College looking for more than just their first win of the season. The Muskies were on track to get the 500th win in Muskingum history.
After the first half the chances of winning looked very bleak as the Muskies went into halftime down 21-0. Wilmington was lead by their star receiver Jeremy Duncan who racked up 226 yards and 2 TD’s in the first half. But the second half was an entirely different story.
Cody Williams, who struggled in the first half, came out firing in the second half as he found Wes Rataiczak in the back of the end-zone on the first possession of the second half. The Quakers quickly responded as Brandon Arehart hooked up with his favorite receiver Duncan for 85 yard touchdown strike. After that catch Jeremy Duncan set the OAC record for receiving yards with 327 on the day. Not to mention he had three touchdowns.
The Muskies showed great perseverance in the second half the offense continued pushing into the fourth quarter. After a Melvin Smith touchdown run at the end of the 3rd quarter, the Muskies were down just 28-14. In the 4th, the scoring continued for the Muskies as Shane Dotson ran one in from 6 yards out with 7 minutes to go. Brandon Arehart and the Quaker offense was shut down by the Muskies defense in the fourth quarter where they were held to no points. And with just 43 seconds to go, Melvin Smith ran in to tie the game and send it into overtime.
In overtime the Muskies started with the ball and quickly got into the end-zone where Wes Rataiczak caught his second touchdown of the game to give Muskingum the lead 35-28. The defense then had to come up with a stop for Muskingum to win. On fourth and goal from the one yard line, Quaker Quarterback Brandon Arehart threw to a slant pattern in the end-zone but the pass was batted down by safety Alex Adams for the final play of the game. Coach Al Logan recieved the classic gatorade bath as his team spoiled Wilmington’s homecoming for the first win of the season and the 500th in team history.
