LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall football never trailed and remained unbeaten at home with a 35-10 victory over Montclair State on Saturday afternoon. The Diplomats led by as much as 35-3 late in the fourth quarter before the Red Hawks had the final score in their first defeat of the regular season. The F&M offense put up 420 total yards in the win as Ty Tremba threw for 312 yards, with 132 of them going to Jack O'Hearen. Aidan Hutchison also had two rushing touchdowns on the afternoon to pace the ground attack.
First Quarter (F&M 7, Montclair State 0)
Following a three-and-out to start the game, the Diplomats promptly marched the ball 61 yards down the field for their first score of the afternoon. A roughing the passer call got the Diplomats inside the red zone before a 12-yard rushing touchdown from Hutchison put the home side up 7-0.
Second Quarter (F&M 21, Montclair State 3)
An opportunistic defense set up F&M's second touchdown of the game as Stephen Merino forced a fumble that was recovered by Rafe Carner at the MSU 23. Just three plays later, Jack Harrison caught one of two touchdown passes from Tremba for 18 yards. The Red Hawks got their only score of the opening half on a 41-yard field goal after going 51 yards, but the Diplomats answered with another touchdown on their final drive of the half. The touchdown to put F&M up 21-3 wen to Brady Aselton from seven yards out.
Third Quarter (F&M 28, Montclair State 3)
The Diplomats made it back-to-back scoring drives as they took another touchdown drive down the field to start the third quarter. The big play on that drive was a 40-yard connection between O'Hearen and Tremba. Na'Rome Rayborn came in later that drive and delivered a 10-yard touchdown to O'Hearen for his first career touchdown pass on his first career pass in what was the only scoring of the quarter.
Fourth Quarter (F&M 35, Montclair State 10)
Franklin & Marshall went on its final scoring drive to start the fourth quarter, which was capped by Hutchison's second rushing touchdown of the afternoon. O'Hearen had receptions of 22 and 34 yards on the drive, with Hutchison also catching a 24-yard pass out of the backfield before pushing it across the goal line for the final score. That final F&M touchdown put the Diplomats up 35-3 to give them their largest lead of the afternoon before Montclair State scored from four yards out on a fourth down with 41 seconds remaining in regulation.
Key Stats/Performances
Franklin & Marshall out gained the visitors by a 420-235 margin in yards. In addition to O'Hearen's nine catches for 132 yards, Jack Harrison caught seven passes for 95 yards and one touchdown. Hutchison gained 77 yards to lead the team in the ground as he carried 18 times for an average of 4.2 yards and his two scores.
The Diplomats' defense held MSU quarterback Aidan McLaughlin just 17-of-31 for 178 yards while sacking him twice. Montclair State also averaged just 2.4 yards per carry on the ground. Daniel Shakal led the team with eight tackles as six different F&M players registered at least five tackles during the victory. Matt Scully and LT Kelley each registered one sack during the victory.
Up Next
Franklin & Marshall will now have a bye during the upcoming week before returning to action against Dickinson on TrueBlue Weekend. The Diplomats and Red Devils will battle for The Wagon on Saturday, October 5 at 1 p.m. inside Shadek Stadium.
