Grizzlies face showdown for conference lead
Every season builds up to one game that determines the fate of a season. For Franklin’s football team, that game is Saturday.
Rose-Hulman stands in 24th-ranked Franklin’s run at another HCAC title. The Engineers are perfect in conference play this season at 5-0. Rose-Hulman has played one more conference game than the Grizzlies (6-1, 4-0 HCAC).
If Rose-Hulman wins this game, it wins the automatic berth to the Division III national tournament. If Franklin wins, it strengthens its hold on first. Franklin would have to win the one of its last two games to clinch the automatic berth.
But the Grizzlies are not building this game up in their minds. Franklin will play this game the same as any other game on the schedule.
“It’s the next game that we play,” head coach Mike Leonard said. “Game in and game out it’s all the same.”
Leonard does not care if the team is favored to win by 50 points or expected to lose by 50 points. He makes the team practice the same either way. Leonard said he makes the team practice like they are one-point underdogs. He believes it makes the team put in the extra effort and work especially hard in practices.
Ironically enough, Franklin beat Mount St. Joe’s by five points while Rose-Hulman beat them by six, giving them a one-point advantage.
Rose-Hulman ranks fourth in the conference in pass defense, allowing 208.8 yards per game through eight games.
However, senior quarterback Chad Rupp looks to lead the Grizzlies to victory after setting the career passing touchdown record at Mount St. Joe’s last weekend. Rupp is averaging 312.3 passing yards per game.
Rose-Hulman will more than likely move the ball on ground with junior running back Calvin Bueltel, who ranks 30th in the nation in rushing yards per game with 117.75.
Franklin, who ranks first in the conference in rush defense with 108.9 yards per game, is not going to overlook Bueltel.
“He’s had an outstanding season this year and he is dangerous on the field,” Leonard said. “We have to be conscious of where he is all the time.”
But the game also has an emotional aspect to it. Brandon Couch played football for Rose-Hulman and graduated in 2007. He was killed in an automobile accident in April 2008. He had won The Spirit of Chauncey Rose Award for mental attitude three years in a row. His teammates voted unanimously to give him the award each year.
His sister, Jessica, is a sophomore at Franklin. Leonard has said this “special game” will be dedicated to the memory of Brandon Couch and his family.
