WILMINGTON — Muskingum College broke open a close game in the second half Saturday afternoon as the visiting Muskies spoiled the Wilmington College Homecoming, 42-13, at Townsend Field.
The Quakers remain winless at 0-3 overall and now 0-2 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
Wilmington trailed 21-10 at halftime, but their only points in the second half came on a 23-yard field goal by Connor Bucksath. The Muskies reeled off 21 unanswered points to put the game away.
Wilmington scored on the opening series with Kai Smith going 62 yards up the middle, but the Muskies scored on their first series and the opening period ended 7-7.
Wilmington took a 10-7 lead when Bucksath nailed a 22-yard field goal, capping a six-play drive. That lead was short-lived as the Muskies came back with a touchdown to go in front, 14-10. Muskingum capitalized on a Wilmington turnover, an interception of Quaker quarterback Miles Hostetler and extended the lead to 21-10 at halftime.
“Very unfortunate for us,” WC head coach Kevin Burke said. “We felt if we could get the score (touchdown or field goal), it’s still a close game, but they pushed that lead to 11. We have to overcome these lapses that puts us in a hole. It’s these mistakes which come back to haunt us and it is part of the learning process.”
For the game, Muskingum outgained the Quakers in total yards, 458-257. The Muskies accumulated more than 300 yards rushing, but the Quakers certainly improved their rushing attack with 193 net yards, after being held to 57 against Baldwin-Wallace the previous week.
“We are three games into the season and we are making progress,” Burke said. “We still have a ways to go. Scoring a touchdown on the first drive, getting a lead, but we have to make it a sustained effort. Next week, we go up to Ohio Northern, they are off to a good start. We will work on the things we have to do to get better.
Burke was pleased with the atmosphere of Homecoming and knows of the tradition that Wilmington College had years ago.
“That is why I chose to come here. This is a storied program and the enthusiastic crowd gave us a lift. The ceremony honoring former Coach (Bill) Ramseyer was great,” he said.
In pre-game ceremonies, Bill Ramseyer Way was dedicated. Wilmington mayor Pat Haley and WC President Corey Cockerill spoke of Ramseyer’s achievements. Former player and assistant coach Marque Jones spoke of his time with the legendary coach. Ramseyer, who led the program from 1972-1990, passed away in 2021.
