Football opens OAC slate with 28-13 victory at Capital

By Tim Glon

COLUMBUS — Senior Trevor McConnell (Detroit, Mich./Cranbrook) threw for three touchdowns and ran for a fourth to help the Ohio Northern football team to a 28-13 victory at Capital on Saturday night at Bernlohr Stadium.

The Polar Bears improve to 1-1 overall and in the 1-0 Ohio Athletic Conference, while the Comets fall to 0-2, 0-1.

McConnell finished the day 15-of-27 passing for 173 yards and three TDs.

Senior Josh Bever (Ashland) led the strong Polar Bear defensive effort with nine tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

The Polar Bears turned a pair of early interceptions into a 14-0 lead just 4:46 into the contest.

Senior Jevon Taylor (Fort Wayne, Ind./North Side) had the first interception 38 seconds into the contest, giving ONU the ball at the Comet 32-yard line.

Six plays later, senior Trevor McConnell (Detroit, Mich./Cranbrook) connected with senior Nick Tangeman (Maria Stein/Marion Local) on a 5-yard touchdown and it was 7-0 with 11:55 left in the first quarter.

Sophomore Austin Colon (Cumming, Ga./Forsythe) intercepted CU on the next play from scrimmage and Northern had the ball at the Capital 11.

McConnell snuck in from one yard out with 10:44 left in the period to give ONU a 14-0 lead.

CU trimmed the lead to 14-6 at intermission with a pair of 24-yard field goals in the last 2:05 left of the half.

A 47-yard pick-6 brought the Comets within 14-13 just 1:24 into the third quarter.

McConnell hit senior Davey Berner (New Carlisle/Tecumseh) on a 6-yard touchdown pass to extend the Polar Bear lead to 21-13 with 1:07 left in the third quarter.

McConnell hit senior Jack DiMario (Dayton/Alder) on a 7-yard touchdown pass to put Ohio Northern ahead 28-13 with 8:11 left in the game to end the scoring.

"We showed a great deal of poise in the second half when momentum was against us," ONU head coach Dean Paul said. "Our offense matured in the second half and we had two nice drives to put the game away. Our defense was outstanding all night."

Senior Austin Eick (Rossford) caught eight passes for 104 yards and senior Brock Martin (Attica/Seneca East) ran 23 times for 89 yards for ONU.

Ohio Northern outgained Capital 317-182 in total offense.

The Polar Bears will return to action next Saturday with a 7 pm night contest at Heidelberg.