BEXLEY — A frantic second-half comeback came up short as Wilmington College dropped a 26-12 decision to Capital in Ohio Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon.

The Quakers are now 0-1 in the OAC, 0-2 overall. Capital improves to 1-0 in the conference, 1-1 for the season.

An interesting second half seemed like a long-shot as Capital dominated the first half, picking up 245 total yards to Wilmington's 39 to build a 26-0 lead at the break.

"We just didn't come out ready to play," Wilmington head coach Ken Minor said. "Against Mount Saint Joseph, we came out and had a great first half, but fizzled in the second. Today, we were flat in the first half, but really got things going in the second half."

After being sacked five times in the opening half, Brandon Arehart (Wilmington) led the Quakers back into the game in the third quarter. The sophomore quarterback engineered a 75-yard scoring drive that was capped by a 9-yard TD pass to Kyle Blakeman (Wilmington). Key in that drive was a 29-yard completion on third and five from Arehart to Malcolm Heard II (Wilmington), who joined the team this week.

Capital misplayed the ensuing kickoff and Wilmington pounced on the live ball at the Crusaders' 19-yard line.

Three plays later, Arehart found Blakeman again, this time for 19 yards to cut the deficit to 26-12.

With starting quarterback Chase Carris knocked out of the game, Capital struggled against Wilmington's revitalized defense. The Crusaders were held to 129 yards in the second half and never posed a serious scoring threat.

The Quakers continued to press the issue, but hit two red-zone potholes, turning the ball over on downs and via an interception inside the Capital 10-yard line.

Arehart and Blakeman both had huge days. Arehart completed 27 of 46 passes for career-high 314 yards and two touchdowns. Blakeman had career highs across the board with 10 catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns.

Heard finished with four catches for 56 yards while Kyle Combs (Camp Dennison/Indian Hill), Kyle Akers (Sabina/East Clinton) and Stephen Donoghue (Liberty Township/Lakota East) had three receptions apiece.

Freshman safety Devon Burton (Waynesville) had a breakout game with nine tackles, two of which were for losses, and an interception.

Jamar Roberts had six tackles, a forced fumble and three pass break-ups from his cornerback position.

Sophomore linebacker Matt McFadden (Sabina/East Clinton) picked up seven stops.

"We are going to get there," Minor said. "We had kids making plays all over the field in the second half. We just need to put together two good halves of football, and we will win some games."

Wilmington will remain on the OAC highway next week to face No. 2 Mount Union.