Jackets Lose Double-Overtime Thriller to Open 2010 Campaign

NEW CONCORD, Ohio – Kyle Longsdorf blocked a field goal as time expired in regulation to force overtime between Defiance and Muskingum after the Jackets had rallied from a 10-0 halftime deficit. DC could not complete the rally however, as the Muskies prevailed, 19-13, in two overtime periods.

The Yellow Jackets struck first in overtime behind a 45-yard field goal from Tom Foos but MU countered with a 39-yard boot to knot the score at 13-13 and found the end zone in the second overtime to take a 19-13 lead.

Defiance saw its chance to answer get stripped away, as Muskingum forced DC's fifth fumble of the game and fell on the ball to end the possession for the Jackets and seal the 19-13 victory.

The game started as it ended, with a costly Defiance fumble on the opening kick leading to a Muskingum score just two plays later. A second quarter field goal would extend Muskingum's lead to 10-0 as the two sides headed to the half.

The first half of the 2010 campaign was an anemic showing by the offense for the Purple and Gold, as DC failed to complete a pass and mustered only eight total yards of offense in the opening 30 minutes.

After opening the second half with another fruitless possession, Defiance finally got things going behind the playmaking ability of Rick Powell. The junior quarterback completed just one of his first 10 pass attempts and tossed an interception to start the game, before finding his rhythm midway through the third quarter.

Powell was on target on each of his next three attempts, including a 34-yard completion to Jon Carrabino and scampered for 19 yards on three carries to account for 70 yards on DC's breakout drive. Powell capped the drive with a seven-yard strike to Andy Cessna for a touchdown, bringing Defiance within 10-7.

Defiance would draw even with 5:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, as Foos split the uprights from 24 yards out to force a 10-10 tie that would be upheld by Longsdorf's blocked field goal at the end of regulation.

Both defenses flexed their muscles throughout the afternoon, as the two teams combined for only 19 first downs and 295 total yards of offense.

The DC defense racked up eight sacks and 15 hits for a loss of 65 yards in the heartbreaking defeat. The eight sacks marked the team's highest total since equaling that tally in a 20-7 victory at Anderson last season, while the 15 tackles for negative yardage was Defiance's most since logging 18 against Bluffton on November 10, 2007.

Joemese Scott led the way with 3.5 sacks and seven tackles, while Austin Hedderly added 2.5 sacks and eight tackles. Longsdorf picked up where he left off in 2009, by posting a game-high 14 tackles to go with 1.5 sacks and the blocked field goal.

Defiance (0-1) will face another tough road challenge on September 11, when it heads north to take on Adrian (0-1) at 6:00 pm. Fans not able to make the trip across the border will be able to watch the action on the DC webcast, with Jim Funderburg and Jim Bellamy calling the action at www.defianceathletics.com/video.