LANCASTER, Pa. – An overpowering performance on defense helped the Ursinus football team defeat Franklin & Marshall 22-7 on the road in Centennial Conference play on Saturday.
With the win, the Bears improved to 3-1 overall behind their seconds-straight win and 2-1 in Centennial action. Meanwhile, the Diplomats fell to 2-2 overall and 1-2 in conference action.
The Bears defense stole the show on Saturday as they held the Diplomats to just 176 yards of total offense. Senior linebacker Brett Gross was all over the field for the Bears as he racked up 13 tackles (seven solo), 1.5 TFL, one sack, and picked off a pass. Senior defensive lineman Ethan Belville added 10 stops (three solo), 2.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks, and forced a fumble that he recovered. Sophomore linebacker Connor Carter posted a career-high nine tackles (five solo) and 1.0 TFL and junior defensive lineman Ryan Bodolus posted six tackles (one solo), 2.5 TFL, and one sack.
Senior quarterback Jack Psenicska finished the day going 17-of-32 for 168 yards through the air while throwing two touchdowns and four interceptions. Senior wide receiver Nick Schnaars finished the day as Psenicska's top target as he caught three passes for 59 yards and his team-leading fourth touchdown reception. Sophomore Justin Collier continued his strong sophomore season by catching three passes for 38 yards and his second touchdown in two weeks.
Sophomore running back Tony Holden finished the game with 62 yards on 16 carries and junior Dawson Fresses added 40 yards on 19 carries.
Each team traded a pair of punts in the first quarter before the Bears finally broke the scoreless tie when Psenicska found Schnaars for a 14-yard score on third down and 12 at the 1:46 mark of the first quarter. Ursinus converted on a fourth and six from the Diplomat 20 yard line to keep the drive going. The Diplomats failed on a fourth and one at their own 48-yard line in the opening minute of the second quarter but got the ball right back when Psenicska was intercepted one play later. F&M started their next drive strong with a 14-yard run on first down before having it stopped on downs once again. Psenicska was intercepted once again on the Bears ensuing drive at their own 45-yard line but the defense stood tall once again by forcing a three and out.
Ursinus then drove 72 yards in 10 plays and stretched its lead to 10-0 with a 31-yard field goal from senior Dakota Wherrity with 4:23 left in the first half. The Bears were forced to punt on their next drive; however, senior Billy Cook pinned the Diplomats at their own one yard line. The punt loomed large one play later when Carter wrapped up Justin Gerhart in the Diplomats endzone to force a safety and give the Bears a 12-0 lead. Ursinus took advantage of the F&M free kick and capped a strong finish to the half when Psenicska found Collier for an eight-yard touchdown with no time remaining to put the Bears up 19-0.
Gross intercepted Diplomats quarterback Logan Clouse on the third play of their opening second half drive before F&M answered with an interception of their own three plays later. Ursinus had a drive stall at the Diplomats 28-yard line but continued to maintain their advantage off a dominant defensive showing. Wherrity then knocked home his second field goal of the game from 22 yards out at the 3:30-mark of the third quarter, putting the Bears up 22-0. Psenicska found Schnaars for 35 yards to the F&M 10-yard line, setting up the Bears field goal. F&M made it as far as the Ursinus 27-yard line on their ensuing drive before being stopped on downs for a third time in the contest. The Diplomats finally made the Bears pay off an interception as they broke the shutout at the 5:09-mark with a three-yard score.
Ursinus was unable to extend the lead in their two final drives of the ballgame but ended the final two Diplomats final two drives with sack fumbles that they recovered. Senior defensive lineman Joseph Kolonich sacked and forced a fumble on Diplomats quarterback Ty Tremba before Belville capped his standout day by sacking Tremba one drive later to end the game.
Franklin & Marshall running back Aaron Rascoe led the team with 50 yards on 14 carries and scored the Diplomats only touchdown. Owen Walsh led the Diplomats with 14 tackles (four solo) and snatched two of the interceptions.
The Bears return to action on Saturday, October 1st as they travel to face No. 22 Susquehanna at 1:30 p.m. for the final Centennial Conference matchup between the two schools.