Grizzlies grab fifth straight bell

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By Dexter Howard, November 18, 2009

The first half of play was dominated by freshman running back Ethan Cook and the visiting offense of Franklin. Cook tallied 135 total yards before intermission and accounted for three of the Grizzlies four first-half scores. 

 

Senor tight end Matt Gates scored the fourth touchdown on a seven-yard touchdown pass from junior Nick Purichia. Purichia went 17-of-25 passing for 280 yards and three touchdowns. 

 

Franklin took a 21-point lead into the third quarter, which would be too much for the Panthers to overcome.

 

Franklin finished with six scores and a 7.1-yard per play average. 

 

Grizzly safety Jesse Mercer’s third-quarter interception put a stop to an attempted Hanover run and helped seal the game for Franklin. The turnover by freshman quarterback C.J. Croft was one of his three on the day, the other two being picked by seniors Ross Tierney and Joe Rush, and would result in another Franklin touchdown, 35-14. 

 

Junior linebacker Nick Cochran led the Grizzlies in tackles with 10, eight of which were solo.

 

Sophomore receiver Daniel Passafiume led the Panthers in all-purpose yards with 187. Passafiume hauled in an NCAA all-divisions record of 25 receptions, two of which were Hanover touchdowns. The previous record was held by Jerry Rice.

 

Croft went 42-57 passing with 304 yards – 186 in the second half – and three touchdowns. Croft also led Hanover in rushing yards with 181 and a touchdown.