LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall football team suffered a 22-7 setback versus Ursinus on Saturday afternoon as the team returned to Shadek Stadium following two consecutive road games. The Diplomats (2-2, 1-2 CC) got a touchdown during the fourth quarter from Aaron Rascoe, but could not came any closer against a Bears (3-1, 2-1 CC) team that is currently receiving votes in the national polls.

Franklin & Marshall's defense continued to shine as the Diplomats forced Ursinus' offense to throw four interceptions, but the Diplomats were unable to turn those turnovers into points. With the four interceptions, F&M ties the school record for most interceptions in a game in school history. The 2022 team is now the only team in program history to hit that mark twice in the same year.

First Quarter (Ursinus 7, Franklin & Marshall 0)

The Diplomats forced the high-powered Ursinus offense to punt during each of its first two possessions, but the Ursinus defense was equally up to the task when it took the field. The Bears struck first after they forced F&M to punt from just outside its own five-yard line. That left a short field for Ursinus to work with, and the visitors would eventually capitalize on a 3-and-12 play that went for a 14-yard touchdown pass.

Second Quarter (Ursinus 19, Franklin & Marshall 0)

Franklin & Marshall's opportunistic defense got its first turnover on a Matt Wertz interception. That drive went into Ursinus territory, but a failed conversion on fourth down turned the ball over. Nevertheless, Owen Walsh made it two consecutive Ursinus drives with an interception, but the Diplomats were again unable to take advantage of that turnover. After stopping F&M once again, Ursinus went on its longest drive of the game – a 10 play, 72-yard venture – that resulted in a 31-yard field goal. Ursinus pushed its advantage to 19-0 late in the half with nine points during the final minute. The Bears landed a point at the one yard line and got a safety on the very next play. They compounded matters by scoring on an eight-yard touchdown reception as time ran out after getting the ball right back.

Third Quarter (Ursinus 22, Franklin & Marshall 0)

Coming out of the locker rooms, the third quarter was controlled by the defenses. The only points of the quarter occurred when Ursinus again pinned F&M back deep and forced a three-and-out to gain a short field to work with. A 35-yard completion gave the Bears a first-and-goal to work with, but the F&M defense held its ground and conceded just a field goal.

Fourth Quarter (Ursinus 22, Franklin & Marshall 7)

The Diplomats took the ball into Ursinus territory three times during the fourth quarter as they attempted another late rally. F&M scored on that third chance of the quarter as 24-yard and 10-yard completions from Ty Tremba to Aaron Rascoe and Trey Glass got the ball across midfield. Tremba then hit Jack Sutton for 22 yards before Rascoe capped off F&M's six play, 59-yard scoring drive on a three-yard touchdown run. Laurence Miller converted the PAT before the F&M defense got a three-and-out on the ensuing drive. Nevertheless, a pair of strip sacks ended F&M's final two drives to deny any chances of coming closer in the final score. Those sacks were one of five on the day for the Bears' defense.

Key Stats

Owen Walsh came up with two of the team's four interceptions, with Dante Medlar and Wertz also securing key takeaways in the secondary. Both defenses forced a pair of fumbles from the opposition, but Ursinus made up some ground in the turnover battle by recovering its own two fumbles in addition to both of the Diplomats' fumbles.

Walsh was all over the field on Saturday as he also led the team with 14 tackles on top of his interceptions. He was joined by three others who each recorded 10-plus tackles for F&M. Jacob Hille made 12 stops (five solo) in addition to breaking up a pass and registering the team's lone sack. Matt Scully and Brian Lafty also made 10 stops. Ursinus came into the game with a strong rushing attack and was very balanced all day on its way to a 304-176 advantage in yards. The Bears carried the ball 43 times for 136 yards on their way to gaining over 33 minutes in the time of possession battle.

F&M's top offense weapon was Rascoe. In addition to his touchdown, he finished with 49 yards rushing and 36 more through the air. Sutton was the top receiver as he hauled in four passes for 56 yards. Logan Clouse got the start at quarterback and completed three passes before Ty Tremba took over behind center and completed 11 of his 17 passes for 112 yards. Ursinus' special teams limited the damage F&M could do in the return game with solid coverage, but when the Diplomats had their chances Glass returned four kickoffs for 94 yards, while Scully averaged 15 yards per return as he was back deep on the punts.

Up Next

Franklin & Marshall will face another tough challenge next week in No. 9 Johns Hopkins. However, the Diplomats will have the home crowd behind them when they take on the nationally-ranked Blue Jays. Kick-off for that game on Saturday, October 1 is once again scheduled for 1 p.m. inside Shadek Stadium.