LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall football team welcomed No. 17 Muhlenberg to Shadek Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Diplomats battled and remained within striking distance for the majority of the afternoon, but just could not find the points they needed during the second half as a stout Muhlenberg defense constantly denied them over the final 30 minutes.

First Quarter (Muhlenberg 7, F&M 0)

Muhlenberg took the early lead with an extended touchdown drive on its first possession of the game. The Diplomats had the Mules in a pair of third downs, but couldn't make the crucial stop during the 13 play, 86-yard drive that ended in a seven-yard touchdown pass to James Nye. The drive took over five minutes off the game clock before the Diplomats went on a long drive of the own.

Second Quarter (Muhlenberg 20, F&M 10)

Taking over at the 6:26 mark of the first quarter, F&M had the ball in the red zone for the start of the second quarter after a big fourth-and-one conversion from Jermaine Conyers. However, that drive was halted just two yards short of the goal line as the Diplomats opted for a 19-yard field goal from Laurence Miller to get points on the board. His field goal capped a 15 play drive that spanned 72 yards and took over nine minutes off the clock.

Both defenses forced three-and-outs on the next possessions, but the Mules claimed a 14-3 lead when Spencer Kirin blocked a punt that was returned 35 yards for a touchdown by Tim Higgins. After another F&M three-and-out, Muhlenberg quarterback Michael Hnatkowsky found Thomas Jenkins for a 27-yard touchdown pass to go up 20-3. The Diplomats were able to answer just before the half as Conyers got the ball out to around midfield with a 22-yard scamper. The Diplomats again went for it on fourth down at the Muhlenberg 39 just a few plays later and got way more than the six yards they needed as Logan Clouse found Jack O'Hearen for a 39-yard touchdown reception to make the score 20-10 at the break.

Third Quarter (Muhlenberg 20, F&M 10)

Franklin & Marshall's defense was stout throughout the second half but the Mules were equally up to the task. The Diplomats forced Muhlenberg into a three-and-out on two of its first three drives during the second half. The only time the Mules appeared to be threatening to score, Thomas Downs picked off a pass to end that drive as the score held heading into the final 15 minutes.

Fourth Quarter (Muhlenberg 27, F&M 10)

Muhlenberg's defense was in complete denial mode during the second half as the Diplomats were held without a first down for six consecutive drives. That defense even set up a short field for the opportunistic offense as the Mules picked off a pass at the F&M 18 late in the third quarter. Hnatkowsky threw his third touchdown of the day on the third play of that drive to put his team up 27-10 for the eventual winning score.

Key F&M performances

Conyers ran for 95 yards on 25 carries as he received the majority of the touches and came up just shy of his second consecutive 100-yard rushing performance. His total helped F&M hold a 104-74 advantage in rushing yards, but the Mules made up for that behind 225 yards and three touchdowns through the air from Hnatkowsky.

When the Diplomats did go to the air, Clouse's favorite target was Drew Benfatti who caught seven passes for 37 yards. O'Hearen led the team with forty yards receiving, including his touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball, Calvin Krippner registered a season-high 11 tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage. Kevonte Beard and Dan DiBeneditto were also busy making seven tackles each. Beard had the biggest tackle for loss on the day, taking the Mules for an eight-yard loss. Peter Orio broke up two passes in coverage and was one of eight Diplomats with at least four tackles.

Up Next

Franklin & Marshall will make its final road trip of the season next Saturday when the team travels to Moravian for a 1 p.m. kickoff. Moravian and F&M are currently tied for fifth place in the Centennial Conference heading into the final two weeks of the regular season.