LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall football team started off the Michael Phelan era with a 31-21 victory at Lebanon Valley on Thursday night. One of the first teams to hit the field in all of Division III, the Diplomats scored at least one touchdown in every quarter to pick up their fourth straight season-opening win.

Gary Lewis had a pair of touchdowns to pace the offense. Lewis' second touchdown came as part of 17 unanswered points for the Diplomats who were tied at 14-all late in the second quarter before scoring just before the half and finding separation during the last 30 minutes.

First Quarter (Franklin & Marshall 7, Lebanon Valley 7)

The Flying Dutchmen got off to a quick start by scoring a touchdown on the first drive of the season, highlighted by a 51-yard rushing attempt to put them on the doorstep. Franklin & Marshall's first big play of the 2025 season came on special teams as Owen Banghart came bursting through the line and blocked a punt that was returned by Sam Keenan all the way to the Lebanon Valley nine yard line. With prime field position, the Diplomats needed just two plays before Tremba found Jack Harrison for an eight-yard touchdown reception to tie the game at seven.

Second Quarter (Franklin & Marshall 17, Lebanon Valley 14)

Franklin & Marshall took the lead by marching 67 yards over seven plays early in the second quarter. The score came after a number of rushes from Tremba got the ball into the opponent's territory. Although Lewis routinely does most of his damage in the receiving game, F&M dialed up a reverse to Lewis that he took 24 yards to the end zone to give his side its first lead of the night. The Flying Dutchmen took advantage of a short field to tie the game with 1:15 to play in the first half, but F&M went 70 yards in that remaining time before a 37-yard field attempt from Michael Fleming was good for his first career field goal.

Third Quarter (Franklin & Marshall 24, Lebanon Valley 14)

The Diplomats were again able to capitalize on LVC's special teams prior to their scoring drive in the third quarter. Getting the ball at the defense's 45-yard line following a punt, F&M had a 25 yard pass to Harrison before Tremba found Lewis two plays later for a 15-yard touchdown reception that put the visitors up by 10 heading to the final period.

Fourth Quarter (Franklin & Marshall 31, Lebanon Valley 21)

Another big swing on special teams set up F&M's final scoring drive as Chris Albero returned a punt just shy of midfield, but a face mask put F&M on their opponent's half of the field to start a drive. The Diplomats again looked to Harrison as a clutch catch put the ball in the red zone before two carries from Seth Taylor went for a combined 11 yards and a touchdown to cap the 17 unanswered points dating back to late in the second quarter. With F&M leading 31-17 and just 7:28 to play, LVC scored on its next drive but it was too little, too late as F&M emerged with the win.

Key Players & Stats

With rainy conditions starting around the second quarter, Franklin & Marshall used a very effective run game that accumulated 174 yards on 33 carries – an average of 4.8 yards per attempt. Tremba did over half of that damage as he accounted for a career-high 91 yards rushing on 10 attempts. Seth Taylor and Anthony Valdez split carries out the backfield, finishing with 25 and 23 yards respectively. Tremba additionally threw for 144 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Harrison was his favorite target on the night, catching one touchdown and tying his career highs with seven receptions and 95 receiving yards.

Connor Hille was all over the field defensively as nine of his team-leading 11 tackles were solo efforts. Rafe Carner and LT Kelley also made nine stops, while Quincy Long had eight solo stops – including a team-high three tackles for loss. Hille, Kelley, and Long registered F&M's three sacks on the evening

Up Next

After starting 1-0, the Diplomats will now have nine days before hosting their home opener against Westminster (Pa.) on Saturday, September 13. Kick off for the home opener is scheduled for 1 p.m. inside Shadek Stadium. Westminster (Pa.) will come into that contest with equal rest after dropping its season opener by a 12-8 score against Marietta on Thursday night.