LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall football team hosted its home opener on Saturday with its first-ever game against Westminster (Pa.). During the first-ever meeting, it was the Titans (1-1) who scored the opening win in the series with a 27-7 victory which handed the Diplomats (1-1) their first loss of the season.
Despite the loss, several Diplomats hit milestones as Ty Tremba threw for 149 yards and one touchdown to become just the second quarterback in F&M history to have over 7,000 passing yards and 60 passing touchdowns in a career (John Harrison '12). Tremba's touchdown pass went to Gary Lewis who took sole possession of fourth place among all F&M players in touchdown receptions for a career (24).
First Quarter (F&M 0, Westminster (Pa.) 0)
The Diplomats had the longest drive of the opening quarter as they possessed the ball for over nine minutes while going 43 yards over 13 plays. F&M was looking to take the lead with the ball just outside of the red zone before a mishandled snap halted that promising drive.
Second Quarter (Westminster (Pa.) 17, F&M 0)
Westminster (Pa.) countered by scoring the opening points of the game on the ensuing drive as the Titans went 91 yards over 4:33 of playing time before an eight-yard rushing touchdown put the first points on the board. After being held scoreless during the first quarter, the Titans scored twice in just over two minutes time as two-way player Brite Cannon picked off a pass that set up a 35-yard field goal. The biggest play of the opening half led to the Titans' final score as quarterback Sean O'Shea broke loose for 73 yards to make the score 17-0 at the break.
Third Quarter (Westminster (Pa.) 27, F&M 0)
The Titans once again converted turnovers into points with their third interception of the game giving them the ball in F&M territory before another 30-yard field goal. With the defense right back on the field after a three-and-out, Westminster (Pa.) had a grinding 11-play drive that went 80 yards over the course of seven minutes before going up 27-0 on their third rushing touchdown of the afternoon.
Fourth Quarter (Westminster (Pa.) 27, F&M 7)
Franklin & Marshall allowed just 43 yards to Westminster (Pa.) during the final quarter and had its longest drive of the day with a 13-play, 81-yard possession that was capped by the captain connection of Tremba and Lewis for a seven-yard touchdown reception. Tremba was 8-of-11 passing on that scoring drive which concluded with just 13 seconds remaining in regulation time.
Key Stats/Players
Westminster (Pa.) had a 359-210 advantage in yards The Titans racked up 281 of those yards on the ground, with Sean O'Shea's 73-yard touchdown run helping him to 157 yards rushing on 15 carries during his first career start at quarterback. Clayton Cannon, Jr. ran for 72 more yards and the other score to compliment O'Shea's two touchdown day. F&M had most of its offensive production from Tremba as he threw for 149 yards. Lewis was his favorite target with eight receptions for 94 yards. Seventy-one of those yards came after the catch for the play-making Lewis.
Matt Wertz and Austin Hadley led the defense with eight tackles each. Wertz also broke up two passes to aid the team's defensive efforts. Quincy Long made seven stops, while first-year Kyle Cecchio has the Diplomats' lone tackle for loss.
Up Next
The Diplomats will have a chance to bounce back from their week two setback when they host Catholic next Saturday, September 20 in a 1 p.m. kickoff. That game will be a part of the College's True Blue Weekend celebration and will additionally serve as the team's final non-conference game of the year before the conference slate begins at Gettysburg to start the month of October.
