Photo Courtesy of Franklin and Marshall Athletics Department.
The Franklin and Marshall football team fell in back-to-back Centennial Conference games against Ursinus College and Johns Hopkins University. Despite their defensive efforts and late-game comebacks, the Diplomats were unable to overcome their opponents, dropping to a 3-3 overall record and 1-2 Centennial Conference record.
The Diplomats put up a strong fight against the Ursinus Grizzly Bear with a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback that fell just short with a 23-17 loss. Franklin and Marshall were scoreless during the first quarter with Ursinus completing a nine-yard touchdown pass, giving them the lead 7-0. Kicker Laurence Miller ’25 put the Diplomats on the scoreboard with a 29-yard field goal, leaving the score 10-3 at halftime. F&M tied the game following the third quarter with Ty Tremba ’26 passing to receiver Jack O’Hearen ’25, making it a 10-yard touchdown. Franklin and Marshall scored a late touchdown during the fourth quarter. However, a fourth-and-15 scramble fell six yards short, ending the rally and sealing Ursinus’ victory.
Next, the Diplomats faced the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays, falling 13-6. Laurence Miller ’25 successfully completed a 22-yard field goal in the second quarter, allowing the Diplomats to claim the lead 3-0. However, the Blue Jays responded with an 82-yard drive and took the lead 7-3. F&M’s missed field goal kept the score unaltered at halftime. A 43-yard field goal kicked again by Miller ’25 made the score 7-6 in the third quarter, but Johns Hopkins countered with their own field goal to widen the gap to 10-6 as they headed into the fourth quarter. The Diplomats were unable to score in the fourth quarter after an interception closed their offensive possession with under two minutes left.
The Diplomats put on great defensive efforts across these two away games. Jeff Decker ’25 led the defensive efforts against the Blue Jays, recording nine tackles, with Connor Hille ’27 following closely behind with eight tackles. Quarterback Ty Tremba ’26 threw 417 yards and two touchdown passes against Ursinus and Gary Lewis ’26 completed seven passes for 132 yards.
With a win 24-0 against McDaniels on October 26th, the Dips are currently at the middle of the Centennial Conference table being 4th overall. They will two more Centennial Conference games to try and gain some places against Gettysburg and Muhlenberg.
Freshman Lavanya Seshasayee is a Staff Writer. Her email is lseshasa@fandm.edu