EWING, N.J. – The Franklin & Marshall football team scored the first 10 points of the third quarter to turn a 10-3 deficit into a 13-10 lead, but The College of New Jersey immediately followed that up with a touchdown of its own to eventually claim a 17-13 win on Saturday.
First Quarter (TCNJ 7, F&M 0)
The defenses seemed to have control of the game throughout much of Saturday's action as F&M's first down during its second drive was the only time either offense moved the chains during its first two possessions. The host Lions were the first to gain significant traction offensively as they opened the scoring with a 14-play, 65-yard drive that was capped by a seven-yard touchdown reception from Thomas Burke.
Second Quarter (TCNJ 10, F&M 3)
Franklin & Marshall's defense continued to step up to the challenge at the start of the second quarter when it got a huge fourth down stop from its own 25 which eventually led to a 29-yard field goal from Laurence Miller to get the Diplomats on the board. The Diplomats continued to dominate on the defensive side ball during the next two TCNJ drives as Matt Wertz came up with an interception and Quincy Long forced a fumble that was recovered by Connor Hille. Unfortunately, the Diplomats could not turn those into points off of turnovers and the Lions added a 41-yard field goal to set the score at 10-3 heading into the half.
Third Quarter (TCNJ 17, F&M 13)
The Diplomats' best offensive quarter was certainly out of the halftime break as F&M covered 75 yards over 15 plays before an incomplete pass from the TCNJ two-yard line brought Miller back onto the field for a successful 19-yard field goal attempt. The Lions had the ball just past midfield on its next drive, but again the F&M defense rose to the occasion with a fourth down stop. That stop led to the Diplomats' only touchdown of the day, with the big play on the drive being a 34-yard reception from Jack O'Hearen. Just three plays later, Aidan Hutchison took a handoff for a five-yard touchdown run, which was also the first touchdown of his F&M career. However, TCNJ answer on the ensuing drive with a 10-yard touchdown reception to take a 17-13 lead that would hold until the final whistle.
Fourth Quarter (TCNJ 17, F&M 13)
TCNJ's defense solidified its win during the fourth quarter with a pair of interceptions on the Diplomats' final two drives of the afternoon. F&M was across midfield on both drives and had the ball down to the Lions' eight midway through the fourth after the team's third defensive fourth down stop of the afternoon. F&M's last interception on offense came with 8:01 remaining in regulation and F&M would not see the ball again as TCNJ's only fourth down conversion of the game came just before the two minute timeout and allowed the Lions to go into the victory formation to run off the remaining time.
Key Stats
The College of New Jersey out-gained F&M by a 415-316 margin in total yards. The Diplomats had the advantage through the air as Ty Tremba passed for 254 yards, but four sacks limited the F&M rushing game to just 62 yards on the ground – compared to TCNJ's 197 rushing yards. Jack Harrison finished as the Diplomats' leading receiver with four catches for 74 yards. O'Hearen added 68 yards as five different receivers had at least 20 yards receiving.
Defensively, F&M limited TCNJ to just 2-of-5 on its scoring chances in the red zone. Both teams turned the ball over twice, while the Diplomats converted their only fourth down chance and limited the opposition to 1-of-4 on such opportunities. The Hille brothers – Connor and Jacob – tied for the team lead with eight tackles each on the afternoon, with Connor Hille additionally forcing a fumble.
Up Next
After suffering its first loss of the 2024 season, the Diplomats will look to bounce back this coming week as they return home to Shadek Stadium to take on Montclair State in a 1:30 p.m. scheduled kickoff.
