CARLISLE, Pa. – Michael Fleming connected on a 29-yard field goal on the final play from scrimmage to lift the Franklin & Marshall football team to a 23-20 victory at rival Dickinson in the annual battle for The Wagon. Fleming's kick went through the uprights and left just a single tick on the clock. The Diplomats tackled the Red Devils on an onside kick during the ensuing kickoff to officially secure the victory as the clock was finally exhuasted. With the win, Franklin & Marshall (5-1, 3-0 CC) remains as one of two undefeated teams in Centennial Conference play alongside Johns Hopkins.

Fleming's kick was F&M's first game-winning field goal in the final seconds since Chris DeStefano '14 hit a 30-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining during a 31-28 victory over McDaniel in the 2010 season. It was the Diplomats' fourth game-winning field goal in the final seconds since joining the Centennial Conference. The win keeps The Wagon in Lancaster for the fourth time in the last five seasons. In addition to the thrilling finish, Fleming was a perfect 3-for-3 in field goal attempts with F&M's other points coming on a pair of touchdown passes from the Ty Tremba and Gary Lewis connection.

First Quarter (Dickinson 3, Franklin & Marshall 0)

While Fleming delivered the final dagger in the rivalry game, it was the Red Devils' kicker Justin Worobel who got the scoring started with a 32-yard field goal in the opening quarter as the defenses had their way during the first half of action.

Second Quarter (Dickinson 13, Franklin & Marshall 7)

Worobel also hit from 25 yards during his team's opening drive of the second quarter. F&M's defense got a key turnover to switch the momentum as Oscar Marx picked off a pass at Dickinson's 45-yard line to set up F&M's first scoring drive of the day. Taking advantage of the great field position, Tremba found Lewis for a 29-yard touchdown reception on a second-and-15 play to give the visitors their first lead of the day. Although the final play of the game ultimately led to the Diplomats win, Dickinson did hold the lead after halftime as an 11-yard touchdown reception with 21 seconds left in the second quarter from Leon Friebel gave his side a 13-7 advantage at the break.

Third Quarter (Franklin & Marshall 14, Dickinson 13)

Franklin & Marshall continued to turn impact plays on defense into points on the scoreboard as the Red Devils were pinned at their own 12 when Marx punched the ball loose and Matt Wertz was there to immediately recover on the 24 and return it back to the original line of scrimmage. Tremba tried one rush for a short gain before finding Lewis in the end zone as the Diplomats took a 14-13 lead into the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter (Franklin & Marshall 23, Dickinson 20)

Although neither side would score again in the third quarter, a huge 51-yard punt return from Chris Albero gave the Diplomats the ball at the Red Devils' 24 late in that quarter. Fleming hit that field goal from 22 yards on the first play of the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 17-13. On the next drive, Dickinson had the ball to F&M 30 on a big third down, only to have Albero come up with a sack and force a punt on fourth and long. The Diplomats made it 20-13 on Fleming's longest field goal of the day – a 37-yard conversion. Dickinson tied the score with 3:47 to play in regulation as quarterback Braden Klassen ran for a two-yard touchdown.

Both defenses came up with huge three-and-stops against the opposing offenses, but 1:43 remaining on the game clock proved just enough time for the Diplomats to embark on the game-winning drive. A huge 33-yard third down reception from Jack Harrison got F&M's offense into plus territory. The Diplomats went to Lewis just two plays later. The only thing stopping Lewis on that play was a defensive pass interference call that put the ball on the 22 before Louis Paris ran for 13 yards. One rush to get the ball centered was all the Diplomats needed before Fleming cashed in on the biggest field goal attempt his career.

Key Stats

With three field goals and two PATs, Fleming totaled 11 of the Diplomats' 23 points. He was the first F&M kicker to hit three field goals in a game since Laurence Miller '25 did so against Lebanon Valley in 2023. Fleming is just the fifth kicker in school history to make at least three field goals in a game, with Brandon Kline '09 and Mark Slevin '86 sharing the school's single game record with four field goals in a single game.

Adding two more touchdown receptions, Gary Lewis recorded his 12th touchdown of the season which is just three short of tying his own school record that he set during the 2023 season. Today's touchdown receptions give him 34 for his career and move him to within one of tying Dale Amos '90 at 35 receiving touchdowns for a career. Lewis finished with seven catches for 97 yards. Tremba threw for 214 yards and now has 74 career touchdown passes and 82 total touchdowns to strengthen his spot at second in the F&M record books. Paris led the rushing attack as he averaged 5.2 yards per carry, finishing with 14 rushes for 73 yards. Dickinson finished with a slight 344-323 advantage in total yards.

Trey Comella had a huge game on defense as he made a career-high nine tackles (eight solo), including one tackle for loss. In addition to his interception and forced fumble, Marx was second on the team with six tackles while additionally breaking up two other passes. A total of eight different players finished with at least five tackles during the strong defensive effort.

Up Next

Franklin & Marshall will be back on the road next week when they make the trip to Ursinus on Saturday, October 25. Kickoff in Collegeville is scheduled for 1 p.m.