Football bashes Bluffton
Franklin College's football team beat Bluffton 63-3 to improve to 4-1 (2-0 in conference) Saturday in its Homecoming game at Faught Stadium. Two blocked punts turned touchdowns, 488 total yards on offense and just 111 total yards allowed by the defense all helped produce the win.
The 63-point total came just five points shy of the school record, 68, which the Grizzlies have scored twice during the Modern Era. The first time was in 1960 against the University of Illinois-Navy Pier (68-6) and the second came in 1989 against Manchester College (68-10).
Franklin last scored over 60 points in 2004 in a losing effort against Olivet College (63-62).
“We’re coming together as a team. We’ve been together as a team. And we just need to keep building,” said head coach Mike Leonard.
“It was a lot of fun ... Defense played great. Offensively, we executed pretty well,” said senior Chad Rupp.
The game started with a three-and-out by the Grizzly offense, but a Bluffton penalty – roughing the kicker – offered a second chance. One of which Franklin took full advantage.
Franklin drove 63 yards down the field, capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass from senior Chad Rupp to fellow senior Kevin Lynch.
The Grizzlies would score three times in the first quarter.
Senior Jon-Erik Bennett scored on an 11-yard run to finish a 56-yard drive. And senior Joe White blocked a punt, which senior Scott Martin returned for a score.
Franklin’s defense held the Beavers to 20 total yards and one first down in the quarter. The Grizzlies took a 21-0 lead into the second quarter.
The Grizzly defense forced punts on the first six Bluffton possessions and allowed only a field goal, by Bluffton’s Jonathan Thompson, before the half.
Franklin’s offense scored two touchdowns in the second quarter. The first came with 14:17 to play as senior Logan Deffner scored on an 11-yard pass from Rupp to finish an 88-yard drive. Rupp’s second touchdown pass of the quarter – at the end of an 80-yard drive – was caught by sophomore Mat Zmich and went for 23 yards.
The Grizzlies fumbled twice in the quarter, though.
“For the most part we played pretty darn well ... There’s about four plays we’d like to have back,” Leonard said.
“If we do those kinds of plays against a really good team, then we’re going to be in for a world of hurt.”
Franklin led 35-3 at the half.
The third quarter was more like the first. Franklin scored two touchdowns and forced three punts to take a 49-3 lead into the final quarter.
Sophomore Mitch Downs rushed five yards for the first to cap a 63-yard drive and freshman Ryan Masters ran nine yards for the second. That drive went 39 yards.
The Grizzly defense held Bluffton to 33 yards in the quarter.
Franklin’s defense began the fourth quarter by stopping Bluffton on four straight plays to put the ball back in the hands of the offense. A 53-yard drive yielded an 11-yard touchdown run by sophomore Remy Heller.
Franklin’s defense then forced the tenth Beaver punt of the day. The Grizzlies blocked it – the second block of the day – and David O’Rourke recovered it in the endzone for the second punt return team – ninth Franklin – touchdown of the game.
Time expired before the Beavers could drive back down the field, making the final score 63-3.
Franklin subbed several players in and out throughout the entire second half.
“The ones were in there early and played well and got us to a big lead. And then were the twos and threes,” said Rupp.
“And you had the ones cheering those guys on and we couldn’t be more excited that they were in the game, making plays ... so as a team it was a great win.”
Franklin earned 27 first downs throughout the game, while Bluffton had just 11. The Grizzly offense gained 488 total yards, 246 rushing and 242 passing. The Beaver offense had 111 total yards, 25 rushing and 86 passing.
Franklin had two turnovers – both fumbles – while Bluffton had none. The Grizzlies had six penalties for 76 yards and the Beavers had four for 24.
Rupp completed 15-of-21 passes for 206 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for 47 yards. Sophomore Nick Purichia completed three of four passes for 25 yards. Sophomore Kyle Ray completed his only pass attempt for 11 yards.
Senior Tony Gregory led the Grizzlies in receiving with 75 yards on nine catches. Sophomores Fred McMoore and Downs both ran for 58 yards to lead the team in rushing. Masters ran for 50 yards and freshman Nick Mongan ran for 14.
Sophomore linebacker Nick Cochran led the Grizzly defense in tackles, with three solo and four assisted. Senior Dan McManus had 1.5 sacks, as senior Patrick Sheller shared the second. Freshman Cory Mason also recorded a sack.
Bluffton’s Brock Miller completed 10-of-22 passes for 59 yards. Marshaun Harris led the Beavers in rushing with 23 yards on nine rushes.
Next Saturday the Grizzlies travel to Anderson to take on the Ravens (3-2, 2-0 HCAC) at 1:30 pm. The Grizzlies are currently tied with the Ravens for second place in the HCAC, behind the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
“Just figure out what we can do within our scheme to beat Anderson,” Leonard said. “That’s the mission of this whole week. And figure out whose going to step up.”
