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Game of the week
Capital (2-3) at Otterbein (3-2), 1:30 p.m.
One year ago, Otterbein scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including a 34yard touchdown reception by Dan Gendron with 38 seconds left, to pull off a near-miraculous 35-34 victory over Capital.
The Cardinals were so giddy that they didn't want to leave the field until shaking the hand of every friend, relative and student. The Crusaders walked away too stunned to talk about what had just happened.
At the time, each team was in the hunt for a spot in the Division III playoffs.
Chapter No. 85 in the series isn't nearly as compelling, but don't tell that to the teams. Each needs a victory after losing to undefeated Baldwin-Wallace and 4-1 Ohio Northern. Capital also has lost to third-ranked Wesley.
"This is our archrival," said first-year Capital coach Henry Stanford, who was an assistant at Otterbein. "I've told a lot of people this week that this is the game where you get fired up and locked in. This game is just different. It's one of the true rivalries in this country. The schools are so close. Friends and family members go to the schools. Former high school teammates wind up playing against one another."
There has to be a sense of desperation among the Crusaders after losing four of the past five years to the Cardinals. Capital leads the series 41-40-3.
Otterbein coach Joe Loth said his players aren't caught up with making up for a 35-34 loss against Baldwin-Wallace last week.
"That was a tough loss, but it wouldn't matter if we won last week," Loth said. "We're thinking about Capital. I can't think of another small college rivalry in Ohio that is better. We recruit the same kids. Everyone knows one another."
Loth is paying close attention to special teams after Otterbein gave up two kickoff returns for touchdowns against B-W.
"But it's all about who can run the football and who can hang on to the football," he said.
Best of the rest
Akron (0-6) at Ohio University (3-3), 2 p.m.
It has been no Noah Keller and LaVon Brazill for two weeks because of probable seasonending injuries to both, but it also has been no worries for the Bobcats with wins against Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green. Ohio looks to take down another Mid-American Conference bottom dweller to stay in the East race.
Kent State (2-3) at Toledo (3-3), 7 p.m.
These teams are in the same conference but are relative strangers in not having met since 2006. Kent State will show off a defense that ranks first nationally in rushing defense at 59.6 yards per game and is in the top five in sacks and tackles for loss.
Miami University (3-3) at Central Michigan (2-4), noon
Miami has won three games in a season for the first time since 2007 by playing keep away. It ranks eighth nationally in time of possession at 33 minutes, 12 seconds per game.
Baldwin-Wallace (5-0) at Ohio Northern (4-1), 1:30 p.m.
B-W is second in the Ohio Athletic Conference on the strength of a defense that is No. 1 in the league in the red zone, taking the ball away (13) and sacks (19).
mznidar@dispatch.com
