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In a game which featured a combined 50 first downs and better than 900 yards of total offense, Manchester University's home Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference battle with league unbeaten and preseason favorite Franklin College gave the better than 2,000 fans at Carl W. Burt Memorial Field their money's worth Saturday, Oct. 4.
A 12-play, 84-yard touchdown march by the four-time defending conference champions that started with 7:47 left and concluded at the 1:55 mark, topped off by a halfback pass two-point conversion, turned out to be the difference maker in FC's 29-28 victory. The host Spartans did get one more opportunity and brought the home fans to their feet by driving into visitor's territory until a 45-yard field goal attempt on the game's final play went wide left and short.
MU (2-3 overall, 1-2 HCAC) fought the visiting Grizzlies (3-2 overall, 3-0 HCAC) throughout a cold and blustery afternoon. Despite the rain and strong winds moving in during the 60-minute battle, FC senior quarterback Grant Welp and Black and Gold junior signal caller Logan Haston (Avon, Ind.) and their offenses weren't phased with the 57 points posted as proof. Haston reeled off his fifth successive 240-yard-plus passing effort going 21 of 37 with one interception and one touchdown for 280 yards, while Welp ended with 293 yards and two scoring tosses. MU sophomore wide receiver Dakota Nelson (Fairland, Ind.) (10 catches – 161 yards) and FC senior running back Joey Pasquale (10 catches – 153 yards) had similar numbers in top receiver roles as well.
The scoring went back and forth with Franklin holding 7-0, 14-7, 21-14 and 21-20 leads on their hosts. MU took its first and only lead when Haston hit an open Nelson in the flat and the sophomore weaved down the home sideline for a 31-yard score with 10:26 to play. After both sides were forced to punt by the opposing defense, the Grizzlies took off on the eventual game-winning drive.
Manchester University's backfield duo of senior Austin Adams (Dowagiac, Mich.) and freshman Hunter Hardee (Fishers, Ind.) proved effective with Adams carrying for 94 yards and a touchdown, and Hardee ending with 80 yards. Freshman linebacker Tyler Katschke (Winamac, Ind.) led a defense that sacked Welp twice and picked him off once with seven tackles.
The Spartans welcome Defiance College of Ohio for their 2014 Homecoming game Saturday, Oct. 11. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m.
NOTES: Nelson's receiving yardage effort was the best for the Black and Gold player since Brandon Tugmon hauled in 164 against Earlham College in 2005 … Nelson's performance ranks seventh-best in program single-game history.