LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall football team scored a season-high 52 points during a 52-20 victory at Ursinus to run its record to 6-1 overall while remaining undefeated through the first four Centennial Conference games this season. Those 52 points were the most for F&M in the all-time series against the Bears since scoring 68 points all the way back in the 1952 season. Those 52 points were also an all-time high during the team's trips to Collegeville against Ursinus. It was also the team's highest total since scoring 55 at Gettysburg during the 2024 season.

A complete offensive effort was headlined by running back Louis Paris running for a team-high 130 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries as he averaged 5.2 yards per touch. The Diplomats finished with 202 total yards on the ground in addition to Ty Tremba throwing for 232 yards with touchdown passes going to Jack Harrison (twice) and Hudson Zawadzkas. The Diplomats scored multiple touchdowns during the first, second, and fourth quarters while shutting out Ursinus during the first and third periods.

First Quarter (Franklin & Marshall 14, Ursinus 0)

The Diplomats forced the Bears into a three-and-out on their first drive and used that to set the tone early with a touchdown drive on their first possession. A 39-yard reception from Gary Lewis got the drive jump started while a pair of 10-plus yard carries from Paris put the team in position for a seven-yard touchdown reception from Zawadzkas. The second scoring drive was set up by Owen Banghart coming away with a strip sack that was recovered by Sam Keenan at the Ursinus 33. Paris carried it in from two yards for his first touchdown of the day.

Second Quarter (Franklin & Marshall 28, Ursinus 7)

Paris got into the end zone for the second time following a drive in which he carried five times before getting the ball across the line from two yards out. Ursinus answered with its first points of the day, but F&M took a 28-7 lead into the locker room by going 74 yards over five-plus minutes before Harrison hauled in an 11 yard touchdown reception with just seconds remaining in the opening half.

Third Quarter (Franklin & Marshall 31, Ursinus 7)

Franklin & Marshall's only points of the third quarter came when reigning Centennial Conference Special Teams Player of the Week Michael Fleming converted a 29-yard field goal to cap a 63-yard scoring drive. The Diplomats defense did not allow another point in the quarter as it had a three-and-out before reigning Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week Oscar Marx broke up a fourth down pass attempt and intercepted a pass to halt the following two drives.

Fourth Quarter (Franklin & Marshall 52, Ursinus 20)

It would not take much longer for the Diplomats to get back on the scoreboard as Harrison came up with his second touchdown reception of the day from 16 yards just two plays into the final quarter. Ursinus answered with a touchdown of its own but that momentum would last just one play as Anthony Valdez took the first play of the ensuring drive on a 61-yard touchdown run. The big plays continued to come as Nico Medlar picked off a first down pass on the Bears' next drive and returned that 40 yards for a defensive touchdown before Ursinus scored its final touchdown of the day during the very final minutes of regulation.

Key Players/Stats

Franklin & Marshall finished the contest with a 434-338 advantage in total yards. F&M had the advantage both through the air and on the ground during the victory as the Diplomats possessed the ball for nearly 35 minutes. F&M also held a 3-1 advantage in the turnover battle and held Ursinus to just 4-of-13 on third down conversions.

Despite neither finishing with a touchdown, Gary Lewis (63 yards) and Matt Eitner (57 yards) led the team in receiving yards as five different players finished with at least 30 yards in the passing attack. In addition to Paris' first 100-yard rushing game of his career, Valdez was second in rushing yards as he needed just four carries to gain 66 yards – with most of that coming on his 61-yard touchdown run. That group tackling was again in full effect as Connor Hille led the team with six tackles, with 24 different players recording at least one tackle.

Up Next

After back-to-back road contests, F&M returns home to Shadek Stadium where they will play two of their final three regular season contests. The Diplomats are already in very strong position for another trip to the postseason with their undefeated Centennial Conference record which is matched only by Johns Hopkins. The Diplomats' will start the month of November with a kickoff next Saturday at 1 p.m. against McDaniel.