BEXLEY, Ohio -- Heidelberg University Head Football Coach Scott Donaldson picked up his 50th career win as his Student Princes upended the Capital Comets, 45-22, on a sun-soaked Saturday in Bexley. A game-changing blocked field goal returned for a touchdown helped Heidelberg maintain control of the game, ruining Homecoming for the hosts. 

The Student Princes moved to 2-2 overall, 1-2 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Capital slid to 0-4, 0-3.

Following a three-and-out punctuated by a tackle for loss from Cunningham, Heidelberg went 68 yards on 11 plays for the game's first score. Alex Arledge lofted a pass into the back corner of the end zone where Ithan Cholewa leapt and grabbed it. The 14-yard touchdown and Ethan Ramdail's PAT gave HU a 7-0 lead. 

On the next 'Berg possession, a roughing-the-passer flag on 4th-and-10 gave the Student Princes a critical first down deep in Comet territory. Four plays later, Drew Miller spun his way into the end zone from eight yards out.  

Down 14-0 to start the second quarter, the hosts cut their deficit in half with a touchdown pass.

Capital kept possession after a successful surprise onside kick and moved into the red zone. Facing a 4th-and-10 from the 13, the Comets opted for a 30-yard field goal try. Jo Norris III came off the right edge and blocked the kick, which fortuitously bounced into the waiting arms of Cunningham. Wasting no time, the 2023 All-American sprinted 76 yards for the score.

Clinging to a 21-14 lead late in the first half, a 40-yard punt return by Norris gave Heidelberg excellent field position in the final minute. HU would go up 24-14 with a 24-yard Ramsdail field goal at the horn. 

Heidelberg's second drive in the third quarter yielded points. Ignited by a Kris Williams sack that caused a turnover on downs, the Tricolor offense went 58 yards on 12 plays. Miller capped off the drive with a three-yard touchdown plunge. 

Ahead 31-14 to start the fourth, the defense forced another turnover on downs inside Comet territory. On the next play, a pass into the flat to Matthew Drdul turned into seven points. Dmitri Peters and Cole Poorman blocked the first two Comets, but Drdul simply ran past or through the remainder of the defense and flopped into the end zone like a dead fish. Ramsdail connected on the extra point, and Heidelberg led 38-14.  

Though they scored on their next drive, Capital was unable to recover another onside kick. Up 16, Heidelberg wore almost six minutes off the clock with a steady, effective ground attack. Lance Rickle capped the scoring with a physical three-yard touchdown run. 

In the game's final minute, TK Fikes picked off his third pass of the season to seal the win. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: 
Alex Arledge was 18-for-25 for 257 yards and two touchdowns … Drew Miller carried the ball 21 times for 79 yards and a pair of touchdowns … Cole Poorman and Ithan Cholewa both hauled in five passes, for 76 and 75 yards, respectively … The defense racked up five sacks and nine tackles for loss … Easton St. Clair had nine tackles, a sack, two TFLs and two quarterback hurries.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
Cunningham's kick-six was Heidelberg's first blocked field goal scoop and score since at least 2000 … The Berg scored on six of its eight full possessions … Heidelberg has won 14 straight over Capital, and is 23-15-1 all-time in Bexley … Donaldson is the fifth 'Berg coach to hit 50 wins and is one shy of tying T.R. Turney for fourth place on the program's win list.

UP NEXT: 
Heidelberg returns home to host Marietta next weekend. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. 

Photo courtesy of Alliya Ballenger, Capital Sports Information