LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall football team used a huge second half to overtake Juniata as a part of the College's TrueBlue Weekend. The Diplomats (2-4, 2-3 CC) outscored the Eagles (1-5, 1-4 CC) by a 34-0 score over the final 30 minutes to turn an early deficit into a convincing 41-13 victory.

Keshon Farmer starred for the Diplomats with a career-high three rushing touchdown to pull within one of the program's career record. His effort led a 192-yard rushing effort from the Diplomats.

First Quarter (Juniata 10, Franklin & Marshall 7)

The Eagles struck early on Saturday as running back Charles DeBose slipped out of the backfield for a 63-yard catch and run. Juniata's early strike gave the visitors a 7-0 lead just under four minutes into the game, but the F&M defense did not allow a touchdown the rest of the afternoon. The Diplomats also wasted little time in answering as Farmer's two-yard touchdown run capped an eight play, 63-yard drive to tie the contest. Farmer also broke off runs of 15 and 12 yards during that touchdown drive. The Eagles carried a lead into the second quarter as Beckett Leary drilled a 46-yard field goal late in the quarter.

Second Quarter (Juniata 13, Franklin & Marshall 7)

Juniata had the lone score of the second quarter as Ethan Hurst picked off a pass deep in F&M territory. However, the Diplomats defense stood tall. Two rushes for loss before an incomplete pass only allowed the Eagles to come away with a 21-yard field goal after they started on the four-yard line.

Third Quarter (Franklin & Marshall 21, Juniata 13)

Heading to the locker room with a six-point deficit, the Diplomats certainly responded in a big way coming out of the break. After forcing Juniata into a three-and-out, the Diplomats went on a 60-yard touchdown drive that was capped by a 13-yard run from Farmer to take the lead. That touchdown tied Farmer for the second most rushing touchdowns in a career at Franklin & Marshall with 28. Later in the quarter, the defensive got into the scoring act as Jeff Decker came up with a sack while stripping the quarter as Kevonte Beard recovered that loose ball in the end zone for the 21-13 lead.

Fourth Quarter (Franklin & Marshall 41, Juniata 13)

Farmer moved to within one touchdown of tying the Franklin & Marshall career rushing touchdown record as he plunged in from a yard award. That capped a quick two-play drive as Dan DiBeneditto picked off a pass at the end of the third quarter and was just denied pay dirt as he was finally wrestled down at the two yard line after an 18-yard interception return.

After punishing the Eagles on the ground during the third quarter, F&M went to the air on its next touchdown drive as Logan Clouse hit Drew Benfatti for a 14-yard touchdown reception. Franklin & Marshall continued to click all the way up until the final whistle as Mitch Wagner ran the ball seven straight times before scoring his first career rushing touchdown from a yard out. That marked FM's second to last drive of the contest as the Diplomats kneeled on the ball after forcing a three-and-out from Juniata on the Eagles' final possession.

Franklin & Marshall Notables

Keshon Farmer finished his big day with 124 yards rushing on 22 carries, averaging 5.6 yards per rush. His efforts led the Diplomats to average 3.9 yards per attempt on the ground. Logan Clouse's one touchdown came to his favorite target as Saturday as Drew Benfatti caught five passes for 45 yards. Jack O'Hearen also had two catches while Tim Walters added a 16-yard reception in his return to the lineup. Jack Rodenberger aided the offense with a perfect 5-for-5 in extra points while averaging 59.6 yards on kickoffs.

The defense certainly played a starring role on Saturday as it held Juniata to just 106 yards of total offense as the Eagles averaged just 1.9 yards per play. In addition to his 78 yards on punt returns, Dan DiBeneditto picked off one pass and had three tackles. Peter Orio led the team with seven tackles, including two for a loss. That total included one sack 12 yards in the backfield. Overall, Franklin & Marshall finished the game with five sacks and 13 tackles for loss. The team's 13 tackles behind the line of scrimmage took away 43 yards from the Juniata offense.

Up next

With a win coming out of the bye week, the Diplomats will look to build on that momentum when they travel to Dickinson next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Carlisle.