Dec 31, 1969
FRANKLIN, Ind.
— After having pretty much everything going its way, Franklin College suddenly found itself in a football game with winless visitor Defiance College (Ohio) at gusty Faught Stadium today.
But after watching the Yellow Jackets even the score in the third quarter, the host Grizzlies got busy and emerged convincingly with a 35-14 victory. The decision evened Franklin's record in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference at 2-2 and leveled its overall mark at 4-4. Defiance fell to 0-4 in the HCAC and 0-7 in all games.
The Grizzlies scored a pair of touchdowns in the opening quarter on a 4-yard run by sophomore wingback Brad Ohanian and on a recovery of a blocked punt by David Mongan — following Mongan's block.
Neither team scored in the second period, but Defiance cut FC's lead in half by taking the second-half opening kickoff 78 yards on 12 plays, scoring on a 9-yard pass from quarterback Nate Fitton to Aaron Schmidt.
The Yellow Jackets then tied the contest 2 minutes, 40 seconds later when Kevin Dixon caught a 23-yard pass from Fitton that was tipped to him in the end zone. That score was set up by an interception by the Yellow Jackets' Kris Zajac, which also was the result of tipped pass.
However, Franklin fired back and drove 80 yards on its next possession to score on a 16-yard pass from quarterback Ty Fritz to split end Brian Nay. The Grizzlies then took advantage of turnovers in adding their last two touchdowns, an 18-yard run by Everett Johnson in the final minute of the third quarter and a 4-yard rush by Mike Perkins early in the fourth period.
For the game, Fritz completed 13 of 29 passes for 204 yards, Johnson led FC in rushing with 60 yards on only three carries and split end Darion Reed had four catches for 65 yards. Fitton completed 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards. Schmidt had eight receptions for 75 yards and Darin Lomason led the Yellow Jackets in rushing with 40 yards on 16 carries. Franklin outgained Defiance in total offense yards 396 to 285.
The Grizzlies' defense, which recovered three fumbles on the day, and made one interception, by Mark Schellinger, was led by strong safety Adam Herrington and linebacker Clayton Darlage, who had 14 total tackles each. Defiance's Mike Haydon and Zajac had 11 total tackles apiece.
Press release submitted by Franklin on Oct 30 2004 at 07:35 PM