GETTYSBURG, Pa. – The Gettysburg College football season came up short in its season finale with Franklin & Marshall College as the Diplomats claimed the Lincoln Football Trophy with a 28-21 decision at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium.
Gettysburg opened its final home game by honoring its 15 seniors: Danny Thompson (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills), Derek Singer (New Providence, N.J./New Providence), Jordan Kelso (Cookstown, N.J./Bordentown Regional), John Gutowski (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central), Michael Pennella (Martinsville, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan), Garrett Kelley (Savage, Md./Hammond), Joseph Vegso (Newtown Square, Pa./Marple-Newtown), Ryan Kennelly (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills), Chris Miller (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan), Danny Speca (Downington, Pa./Downington West), Walt Smoloski (Wye Mills, Md./St. Mary's), John Flannelly (Neptune, N.J./Red Bank Catholic), Cordell Boggs (Taneytown, Md./Francis Scott Key), Cole Flashenberg (Glen Rock, N.J./Glen Rock), and Kyle Kameika (Holmdel, N.J./Holmdel).
In the 102nd meeting between the two rivals, Gettysburg (3-7, 3-6 CC) seized the early lead despite being pinned on its own two-yard line following a punt. Needing just one yard for a first down, freshman Charles Clewis (Purcellville, Va./Woodgrove) opted for 77 after bursting through the middle of the pile for Gettysburg's longest touchdown run in five years. Geisel's extra-point put Gettysburg ahead 7-0 in the first quarter.
Later in the quarter three consecutive completed passes by Franklin & Marshall (7-3, 6-3 CC) set the stage for a six-yard rushing score by Taalib Gerald to tie the score.
Geisel booted a season-long 36-yard field goal to give the Bullets a 10-7 advantage early in the second quarter. Later in the frame, a pair of stops by Miller forced a punt by the visitors and the ensuing snap sailed out of the end zone for a safety. Gettysburg carried a 12-7 lead into the break.
Franklin & Marshall took the lead midway through the third quarter following a 60-yard punt return by Kevin Lammers. Tanner Erisman found Andrew DeStefano for a four-yard pass to complete the short drive and put the Diplomats in front 14-12.
Luck was with the Bullets on the next drive as the snap deflected off a blocker on its way to sophomore punter Tyler Frazee (Hopewell, N.J./South Hunterdon). Frazee, who also plays wide receiver, scooped up the ball and raced 10 yards for a first down. A 40-yard scamper by junior Justin Davidov (Ossining, N.Y./Ossining) put Gettysburg in the red zone and Danny Thompson capped the drive with a short toss to his brother Ryan Thompson (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills) to put Gettysburg back in front. The two-point try failed to set the score at 18-14 entering the fourth quarter.
Singer picked up his third interception of the season at the end of the third quarter and Geisel added his second field goal to put the Bullets up by a touchdown.
Erisman led Franklin & Marshall's next drive, carrying the ball six times for a total of 49 yards and finding the end zone to tie the game. On Gettysburg's next drive, Jon Naji forced a fumble and Joe Granahan hopped on the loose ball. Five plays later Erisman found K.J. Pretty in the back of the end zone for the eventual game-winner with 5:47 remaining.
Davidov steered Gettysburg's final drive and took the Bullets 46 yards to the Diplomat 31-yard line. The junior quarterback lofted a throw down the field intended for Ryan Thompson, but Ben Okun out-leaped the sophomore receiver to intercept the pass with four seconds left on the clock.
Franklin & Marshall claimed the Lincoln Trophy for the first time since the award's introduction to the series in 2014.
Clewis finished with a season-high 90 yards on seven carries, while Davidov posted 78 yards on eight carries. Davidov also posted 139 passing yards with 55 going to Ryan Thompson on five receptions. Kelso added 33 yards on four catches and finished 10th in program history with 1,137 career receiving yards. The senior receiver also tallied 99 yards on five kick-off returns.
Junior Kamau Bridges (Ellicott City, Md./Mount Saint Joseph) paced the defense with 10 tackles and an interception. Sophomores Mike McKnight (West Chester, Pa./Bayard Rustin) and Jake Skinner (Annapolis, Md./Broadneck) each recorded eight tackles.
Erismna put up 96 yards on the ground and finished 8-of-11 for 62 yards for Franklin & Marshall. Dave Shellhammer carried the ball 15 times for 56 yards. Zachary Bradley completed 10-of-17 passes for 101 yards and Dillon Alderfer reeled in four passes for 57 yards. Brendan Daly and Steve Elf paced the Diplomat defense with seven tackles.