Grizzlies return to winning ways on Gridiron
By Dan Schumerth, October 4, 2008
A trip to Ohio proved successful for Franklin College’s football team as it beat Defiance College 30-14 in its HCAC opener on Saturday. The Grizzlies improve to 3-1, while the Yellow Jackets fall to 0-4.
Senior Chad Rupp completed 20 passes on 26 attempts for 283 yards and a touchdown to junior Adam Mellencamp. He also rushed for a touchdown. Mellencamp led the Grizzlies in receiving yards with 81.
Rupp was sacked once by Defiance’s Trav Guisinger.
Senior Jon-Erik Bennett was Franklin’s leading rusher. On 10 rushes, he ran for 79 yards. Franklin rushed for 161 total yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Fred McMoore ran for two scores.
“We wanted to develop a good solid run game,” said junior Troy Fritz. “That way our run would set up the pass.”
Following consecutive games with five turnovers each, the Grizzlies did not turn the ball over.
“Our big emphasis [of the week] was ball security and to just do the little things right. And that means taking care of the ball,” said Fritz
The Grizzlies did get one takeaway, though.
Franklin converted on four of five trips to the red zone. Three of the first four Grizzly possessions resulted in touchdowns. The first three Yellow Jacket possessions ended with punts.
Franklin’s defense recorded three sacks. Seniors Dan McManus and Levi Smythe were credited with one each, while seniors Nick Rulon and Jeremy Spicer shared the third.
Yellow Jacket quarterback Rick Powell went 16-18 for 183 yards passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Defiance rushed for 35 total yards.
"It [the competition] wasn't quite as good as what we've played against ... We were just able to execute better this week," said head coach Mike Leonard.
Franklin earned 20 first downs, while Defiance had just 12. Franklin committed five penalties for 60 yards, to Defiance’s seven for 91 yards.
Franklin gained 443 yards of total offense, to Defiance’s 218. Franklin held the ball for 33:42, to Defiance’s 25:15.
“We knew that we couldn’t change the past and that we just need to work harder to keep our main goal of HCAC Champs still in our sites,” Fritz said.
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