LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall football team has made headlines with its defense all season long. On Friday night against Johns Hopkins, it was the Blue Jays' defense that held the upper hand during a 17-3 final in Baltimore.
First Quarter (Franklin & Marshall 3, Johns Hopkins 0)
The F&M defense held in its own territory and forced a turnover on downs to help the visitors grab the early lead. Taking over just shy of midfield after the fourth down stop, F&M used a key roughing the passer penalty to get into Johns Hopkins territory after Matt Eitner hauled in a 13-yard pass on the play. Louis Paris was able to push his way through the line to keep the drive going on fourth down before Michael Fleming knocked a 32-yard field goal through the uprights.
Second Quarter (Johns Hopkins 10, Franklin & Marshall 3)
Johns Hopkins had its first sustained drive of the game following a missed field goal from 47 yards as the Blue Jays covered 70 yards on nine players before a 12-yard touchdown run as the hosts combined from 245 yards on the ground. The Blue Jays also recovered a short kick at F&M's 27 on the ensuing kickoff, but the Diplomats forced another turnover on downs to keep the game at a one score difference. Just before the half, the Blue Jays made it 10-3 as they took the final 5:47 off the clock by covering 80 yards before a 25-yard field goal.
Third Quarter (Johns Hopkins 17, Franklin & Marshall 3)
Johns Hopkins continued to stifle the Diplomats offense during the second half. F&M kept points off the board for the time being as Connor Hille recovered a fumble that was forced by Rafe Carner at F&M's 13. Nevertheless, the Blue Jays made it 17-3 with a 28-yard touchdown reception late in the third.
Fourth Quarter (Johns Hopkins 17, Franklin & Marshall 3)
Franklin & Marshall's defense forced yet another turnover on downs late in the fourth quarter, but that drive took over seven minutes off the clock. That long drive came after the fourth quarter began with a nearly five minute Johns Hopkins drive that was denied points when Chris Albero blocked a field goal attempt. With just under two minutes to play and down two touchdowns, the Diplomats were forced into throwing and the secondary was waiting for an interception on a deep ball before running on the clock with one kneel down.
Key Stats/Players
Franklin & Marshall was held to just 123 yards of total offense. The Blue Jays finished with more than that on both the ground (246 yards) and in the passing game (172 yards). F&M was additionally limited in its offensive chances with just 21:37 in time of possession.
Franklin & Marshall's defense kept Johns Hopkins to just 2-of-5 scoring in the red zone with a number of key fourth down stops. Hille led the team with nine tackles in addition to his fumble recovery. Four more Diplomats (Rafe Carner, Michael Pembroke, Kyle Checchio, and Austin Hadley) each made eight stops. Pembroke also had an interception, while the team came away with six tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Up Next
The Diplomats had already guaranteed themselves at least one more game coming into the week, but the final playoff path is still undecided. The Diplomats can still capture the Centennial Conference Championship and automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament if Muhlenberg beats Dickinson on Saturday. That game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. kick. If Franklin & Marshall does not get into the NCAA Tournament by either the conference championship or an at-large spot, the Diplomats will host the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series next Saturday inside Shadek Stadium against an opponent to be determined this weekend.
