Sept. 30, 2006

Powered by an offensive explosion in the first half, John Troxell's Diplomats coasted to a 24-10 Centennial Conference win Saturday on the road over Muhlenberg.

Franklin & Marshall (2-2, 1-0 CC) opened the game and the scoring with a 20 yard field goal by Paul Sousa. After Muhlenberg (2-2, 0-1 CC) took a 7-3 lead, the Diplomats answered right back with a touchdown drive capped off by an 18-yard pass from quarterback Kyle Turner to Paul Fix. Following a stalled Muhlenberg drive, F&M needed seven plays and a 4-yard pass from Turner to Matthew Mondonedo to score another touchdown and secure a 17-7 lead at the half.

Muhlenberg took the second-half kickoff and advanced to the F&M 4-yard line, converting three third-and-longs, but an interception halted the drive. The Mules moved inside the Diplomat 5-yard line again early in the fourth quarter, settling for a 21-yard field goal that cut the gap to 17-10.

Muhlenberg's lone possession with a chance to tie began at its 19-yard line with 8:14 to play. Three plays netted only three yards, and F&M scored the clinching touchdown on its next possession when Turner hit Robert Donofrio on a 45 yard pass play.

Turner had a big afternoon, completing 14-of-25 passes for 212 yards and three touchdown passes.

Donofrio also had a big day, racking up four catches for 112 yards; Mondonedo hauled in three for 26.

On the ground, once again Curtis Varner was the leading yard gainer, racking up 58 yards on 16 carries.

John DeLuca also gained 58 for Muhlenberg.

The Dips will return home Saturday, Oct. 7th for Homecoming against Johns Hopkins in another Centennial Conference matchup.