The Wilmington College football team got off to a fast start, but it quickly fizzled as Muskingum scored 37 straight points, and the Fightin' Quakers fell, 37-7, Saturday in Ohio Athletic Conference action on Townsend Field in Williams Stadium.
Wilmington took the opening drive 80 yards on nine plays with the possession capped by a nine yard touchdown reception by junior Eric Flynn, Jr. (Cleveland, OH/Central Catholic). Flynn finished with 43 yards on nine carries.
The big play on the drive was a 31-yard catch by freshman AJ Hightower (Memphis, TN/Tipton-Rosemark Academy). It was the longest reception in his career.
Riding the wave of its opening drive score, Hightower recovered the ensuing onside kick. But, Wilmington went three and out, and punted away to the Fighting Muskies.
Muskingum, which kept the drive alive with a fake punt, knotted the game with a one-yard scoring run. The Fighting Muskies took the lead for good on WC's next possession on a 30-yard interception return.
The Fightin' Quakers had a chance to trim its deficit as they drove 52 yards on 14 plays, but senior Grant Brown (Stoutsville, OH/Amanda Clearcreek) missed the 37-yard field goal.
MU added another touchdown and Wilmington had another chance for three points as the half ended, but Brown missed a 47-yard field goal. Muskingum scored 17 second-half points to round out the scoring.
Junior Luke Creditt (Wilmington, OH/Waynesville) went 21-of-37 for 137 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Hightower led the team with a career-high 42 yards on four receptions.
Freshman Bryan Gonzalez (Miami, FL/Jackson) led the team seven tackles, one for loss, and a forced fumble, while sophomore Jay Higgins (Hollywood, FL/Cooper City) added six tackles and his first interception of the season.
Juniors C.J. Thompson (Cincinnati, OH/Northwest) and Darren Milligan (Franklin, OH/Carlisle) each had six tackles, with Milligan recording two quarterback hurries and Thompson adding another.
It marked the final career games for seniors Brown, Linden Ayoki (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle), Mason Poland (Mechanicsburg, OH/Mechanicsburg), Trent Waters (Bowling Green, OH/Bowling Green) and Chase Manica (Shelbyville, KY/Shelby County).
Wilmington concludes the season 0-10 overall, 0-9 in the OAC.
