Tartans Drop Close Battle to Franklin & Marshall

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – The Carnegie Mellon University football team concluded its home regular season slate on Saturday with a 31-24 Centennial Conference (CC) setback to Franklin & Marshall College. The Tartans moved 5-4 overall and 3-3 in conference while F&M improved to 8-1 overall and 6-0 in conference.

Game Information
Carnegie Mellon 24, Franklin & Marshall 31
Records: Carnegie Mellon (5-4, 3-3 CC), F&M (8-1, 6-0 CC)
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. (Richard M. Lackner Field at Gesling Stadium)

How it Happened

• The Tartans' first possession of the game ended with a fumble on a punt snap that Franklin and Marshall's Michael Pembrok recovered in the endzone for a touchdown at 9:55 of the first quarter. The kick attempt was blocked by graduate student Mitchell Stokey which left the score 6-0.
• F&M found the end zone for a second time right before the end of the first quarter. After an eight-play, 54-yard drive, the Diplomats scored off a 2-yard rush by Ty Tremba. Following the conversion of the PAT the score was 13-0 going into the second quarter.
• With six minutes remaining in the first half, the Tartans got on the scoreboard on a 47-yard touchdown run by senior Joey McGinnis IV. The score capped off a six-play, 77-yard drive.
• Franklin and Marshall opened the second half with an interception by Rafe Carner at their own 46-yard line. Four plays later, F&M extended its lead to 20-7 when Tremba connected with Gary Lewis on a 28-yard touchdown strike.
• The Tartans answered on their next possession, as they put together a seven -play, 70-yard drive resulting in a 24-yard pass from McGinnis IV to junior Brendan McCullough for a touchdown. Senior placekicker Justin Caputo's PAT was good, and the score read 20-14 with nine minutes to play in the third.
• After a 24-yard field goal by F&M's Micheal Fleming that pushed the score to 23-14 with three minutes to play in the third, Diplomats' Nick Aravides forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and Carner recovered the ball for the visitors at the Carnegie Mellon 30-yard line.
• On the next play from scrimmage, junior Archie Lawler intercepted Tremba and gave the Tartans the ball at their own 23-yard line. The Tartans then marched 77 yards on six plays that ended on a 30-yard touchdown pass from McGinnis IV to freshman Nick McCullough which pulled the Tartans to within two at 23-21 heading into the fourth quarter.
• Carnegie Mellon then took its first lead of the game with 4:36 to play on a career-long 45-yard field goal by Caputo to make the score 24-23. Caputo's kick was set up following a 40-yard interception return by senior Leighton Tarke.
• F&M wasted little time answering, as they reclaimed the lead with 1:55 to play on a 22-yard touchdown run by Anthony Valdez. Following the successful 2-point try the score was 31-24.
• Nick McCullough gave the Tartans great field position with a 51-yard kickoff return and then a 15-yard facemask penalty added on to it set the Tartans up on the Diplomats' 28-yard line.
• Three plays later, F&M's Connor Hille intercepted McGinnis IV to seal the victory for the Diplomats.

Stats

• Carnegie Mellon totaled 289 yards to Franklin and Marshall's 364 yards.
• McGinnis IV ended the game with 223 yards passing of 16-of-31 and two touchdowns and two interceptions. The senior also rushed for 73 yards and a score.
• Brendan McCullough finished the afternoon with seven catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. Junior Reece Kolke had four receptions for 67 yards while Nick McCullough ended the day with four catches for 44 yards and a touchdown.
• Bennet Grace led the tartans with a career-best ten tackles. Tarke ended the game with nine tackles and an interception with senior Connor Warren recorded eight tackles, six solo.
• Tremba passed for 244 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Lewis and Jack Harrison each had eight receptions for the Diplomats as Lewis ended with 92 yards and a score and Harrison 77 yards.

Game Notes

• Carnegie Mellon leads the all-time series 21-9-1.
• Brendan McCullough moved into fourth on the school's all-time receiving list with 1,796 yards for his career.
• McGinnis IV moved into ninth place for most touchdown passes thrown for a career by a Tartan. He now has 21 career touchdown passes.

Up Next

• Carnegie Mellon will travel to Collegeville, Pennsylvania on Saturday, November 15 for a 12:00 p.m. kick against the Bears of Ursinus College.