ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall spoiled Muhlenberg's homecoming with a 17-7 Centennial Conference (CC) win at Scotty Wood Stadium. The Diplomats (5-2, 4-2 CC) overcame a slow start to hand the Mules (5-2, 5-1 CC) their first league loss of the year.

Behind the running of Terrance Dandridge, Muhlenberg statistically dominated in the first half. Dandridge piled up 99 yards on 12 first-half carries, including eight on a touchdown carry that capped a 99-yard drive, the first drive over 75 yards against F&M this year. Dandridge's score made it a 7-0 game. Muhlenberg piled up 230 yards of offense in the first half.

John Troxell's halftime speech must have been a good one.

The first Muhlenberg possession of second half ended in disaster. Sam Massaro blocked a punt and won the scramble for the loose ball in the back of the end zone for his second touchdown of the season. Massaro's score made it a 10-7 game and shifted the momentum for good.

The blocked punt was the second of the day for F&M.

Cameron Budde blocked a punt early in the second quarter, setting F&M up on the Mules' 34. A Jarrell Diggs first down pass to Jay Ridinger gave F&M first and goal from the ten, but the Mules held F&M to a 23-yard field goal from Chris DeStefano.

After Massaro turned the tide the Diplomats' offense caught the wave of momentum, scoring on the next possession on a 14-play, 87-yard drive. The Diplomats extended the drive on fourth down in Muhlenberg territory with a fantastic snag by a well defended Ridinger. That catch set up John Harrison's touchdown pass to Peter Gumas that made it 17-7.

Muhlenberg responded with a drive deep into F&M territory, but on fourth and two Donald Wiezik came up with a sack to stall the drive. Wiezik killed another Muhlenberg drive in the second half with back-to-back pass breakups at the line. Phil Barbieri ended the next drive's fourth and ten attempt on the F&M end with a well-timed downfield pass breakup.

The Mules were 0-for-5 on fourth down attempts in the game. Massaro led the defensive lockdown in the second half. He finished the game with 10 tackles and a sack.  F&M limited Dandridge to 46 more yards in the second half.

Ridinger led the Diplomats offense with a career-high 11 receptions and 113-yards. It is his fourth 100-yard performance of the season and the seventh of his career. F&M managed just 243 yards in the win.

The Diplomats return to action next Saturday for Homecoming 2010. Kickoff against McDaniel is set for 1:30 p.m.

Franklin & Marshall vs Muhlenberg (10/23/10 at Allentown, Pa.)

PASSING: Franklin & Marshall-John Harrison 16-25-1-121; E.J. Schneider 2-3-0-27; Jarrell Diggs 1-2-0-24. Muhlenberg-Dan Deighan 21-42-1-220; Kevin Ryan 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING: Franklin & Marshall-Jay Ridinger 11-113; Alan Williams 2-21; Tim Muller 2-12; Michael Deutch 1-14; Jarrell Diggs 1-10; Peter Gumas 1-3; John Kaschak 1-minus 1. Muhlenberg-Isaiah Vaughn 5-55; Jon Liberty 5-49; Bobby Bushong 5-40; Marcus Toomey 2-17; Steve Liparini 2-9; Eric Gilbert 1-35; T. Dandridge 1-15.

INTERCEPTIONS: Franklin & Marshall-Phil Barbieri 1-0. Muhlenberg-Chris Hartzell 1-11.

FUMBLES: Franklin & Marshall-John Kaschak 1-1; Jay Ridinger 1-0. Muhlenberg-Dan Deighan 1-0.

SACKS (UA-A): Franklin & Marshall-Mark Surma 1-0; C.T. Marsh 0-1; Donald Wiezik 0-1; Sam Massaro 1-0. Muhlenberg-Matt Johnson 1-0; P. McDonough 0-1; Kenneth Cobb 1-0; Mark Accomando 0-1.

TACKLES (UA-A): Franklin & Marshall-Sam Massaro 8-2; C.T. Marsh 6-4; Jonathan Struss 5-2; Ty Savastio 5-1; Phil Barbieri 2-4; Mark Surma 4-1; Kurt Rogers 3-1; Shane Gray 2-2; Donald Wiezik 2-1; Nick Barbieri 2-1; Michael Deutch 2-0; Kenny Provost 2-0; Brian Low 1-1; Tim Muller 1-0; John Kaschak 1-0. Muhlenberg-Chris Hartzell 6-4; Mark Accomando 5-4; P. McDonough 2-7; Chase Nadell 5-1; Steve Nissley 3-1; Kenneth Cobb 1-3; Matthew Siedt 1-3; Victor Taiwo 2-1; Scott Gavin 2-1; Shane O'Connor 1-2; Matt Johnson 1-2; Tim Vogel 2-0; Mark Mounayar 0-2; Jason LoPipero 1-0; Harrison Rowner 1-0; Kevin Ryan 1-0; Dylan Domenick 0-1; John Muha 0-1; Matt Musick 0-1.