Sept. 6, 2008

Final Stats

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The 2008 season opener at #7 Capital featured highs and lows for the Bulldogs on Saturday as they were defeated 34-14 in Columbus, Ohio. Both teams played to a scoreless first quarter as both defenses played superbly. Capital and Adrian combined for just 90 yards of offense in the opening quarter.

The Crusaders scored 20 points in the second quarter and carried a 20-0 lead into halftime. Dominic D'Andrea scored on a 10-yard run on the first play of the second quarter to give Capital a 7-0 lead. The Crusaders started their next drive at the Adrian 39-yard line and marched towards the end zone in six plays. Derick Alexander hauled in a four-yard slant from Marty Assmann capping off the 1:54 drive for a 14-0 lead.

The game's turning point came on the next possession for the Bulldogs. Mike McGee threw complete to Aaron Oswill for 36 yards putting AC at the Capital 46-yard line. Myke Johnson followed with a 25-yard run to the Capital 21-yard line. After a timeout and sack of Troy Niblock, on second down a deflected pass went into the hands of Brad Pickens who raced 70 yards for a touchdown with 7:20 left in the opening half. Capital had the extra point blocked by Gino Panza for a 20-0 advantage. Another critical point in the game came on the last drive of the half by Adrian. The Bulldogs moved the ball to the one-yard line of Capital but the drive stalled after two Niblock sneaks and a fumbled snap out of the shotgun on fourth down.

The fourth quarter saw Adrian score their 14 points of the contest. Justin Judd recovered a fumble and rumbled 15 yards on the second play of the final quarter to cut the lead to 27-7. The Bulldogs moved downfield in just three plays and 40 yards through the air as McGee tossed a 23-yard TD pass to Dominic Rushing making the final score 34-14.

Adrian had 264 yards of total offense with 170 passing and 94 rushing yards. Niblock was held to 44 rushing yards on 23 carries. He did however have 55 passing yards and 28 receiving yards on the day. Capital gained 286 yards through the air as Assmann completed 10-of-16 passes for 161 yards and two scores.

Bobby Watson led the Adrian defense with 13 tackles and also had two tackles for loss and one pass breakup. George Wilson had nine tackles including a half sack and one tackle for loss.