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Game 4
Franklin & Marshall (3-0, 2-0 CC) at Susquehanna (2-1, 1-1 CC)
Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017 | 1:00 p.m.
Live Video|Live Stats
Series Record: F&M 12-3-2
In Lancaster: F&M 8-2-2
In Selinsgrove: F&M 4-1
In Centennial Play: F&M 4-3
First Meeting: 10/25/1898 (F&M 6-0)
Last Meeting: 10/29/2016 (SU 20-10)
Last F&M Win: (16-7) 10/31/2015
Series History: Saturday's contest marks the 18th meeting between Franklin & Marshall and Susquehanna with F&M leading the series 12-3-2. The first clash between the two teams came in 1898 in Selinsgrove. F&M won 6-0 on October 25 that year, before both teams met again in Lancaster the following year and played to a 6-6 tie, the first of two ties in the series. Last season's loss brought the record to 4-3 in F&M's favor in Centennial Conference action.
Records Watch: Taalib Gerald sits in the top-10 in multiple statistical categories entering the week. He is second with 23 rushing touchdowns with Keith Wert '78 owning the record at 28. His 27 touchdowns scored rank fifth, while his 162 points are fifth. Dale Amos '90 holds both records with 35 touchdowns and 210 points, respectively. Gerald enters the week with 1,719 rushing yards which place him seventh, while Andy Surtz '97 sits on top at 2,913.
The Final Quarters: Just one more game -- Sept. 30th -- will be played at Sponaugle-Williamson Field. The 122-year-old field, has been home to F&M football for all but eight years of the program's existence. The Diplomats are 369-197-23 on Sponaugle-Williamson, including 26 seasons in which F&M was unbeaten at home.
The field was originally constructed in 1894, named Williamson Field in 1899 and renamed Sponaugle-Williamson Field in 1995. The Diplomats will move across the street to the newly-minted, state-of-the-art, Shadek Stadium to close out the year. The inaugural game will occur Homecoming weekend when the Diplomats face Dickinson on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 1:30 p.m. Stay tuned to GoDiplomats.com for more information about that game.
CC POTW: Franklin & Marshall freshman, Brendan Dearing, was named the Centennial Conference (CC) Co-Special Teams Player of the Week announced on Sunday. The honor was the first for Dearing, and the second consecutive weekly award for a member of the F&M football team.
Dearing returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown in the Diplomats' 43-41 win against McDaniel. The return jump started a 17-3 scoring spurt in the come-for-behind victory. The 94 yards were the longest in the program's modern era.
F&M Last Week: Franklin & Marshall scored 12 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to come from behind and defeat McDaniel 43-41 last week.
Click here to read the full recap.
Tanner Erisman completed 18-of-31 passes for 285 yards and five scores. Taalib Gerald racked up 125 yards on 25 carries with a score and K.J. Pretty finished with 131 receiving yards on six grabs with two touchdowns. Dillon Alderfer added another 65 yards with two scores and Kevin Lammers contributed another receiving touchdown for the Diplomats.
Ben Okun led the defense with eight stops while Vincent Moffett ended with six. Jeff Leone recorded three pass break-ups with four tackles and Joe Granahan, along with Bobby McDevitt, each finished with four tackles while McDevitt and Frank McGlinchey had one interception each.
Susquehanna Last Week: Jason Brougham and Connor Thompson each intercepted passes in the fourth quarter for the Susquehanna University Football team as the River Hawks came from behind to post a 14-11 victory over Muhlenberg last Saturday afternoon.
Click here to read the full recap.
Nick Crusco finished 13-for-25 for 145 yards and Mikah Christian had five catches for 70 yards. David Simpson and Thompson each had 10 tackles as Thompson, Caleb Cash and Tucker Garner each recorded sacks. The River Hawks finished the day with four interceptions as Danial Shelton and Craig Roumes each added interceptions.
The Last Meeting: Last year, F&M traveled to Susquehanna on Oct. 29 and fell to the River Hawks 20-10.
Zachary Bradley completed 24-of-39 passes for a total of 219 yards on the day. Andrew DeStefano recorded four catches for 58 receiving yards.
Joe Granahan led the defense with seven tackles, with Brendan Daly close behind with six and one forced fumble.
For a full recap, click here.
