No. 17/24 Franklin & Marshall 44, Lebanon Valley 21
 
LVC Offense
QB Kegarise, RB Fink, FB Robinson, WR Diggs, WR Wise, TE Clark, LT Amarose, LG Napadano, C Shiley, RG Werner, RT Heft
 
LVC Defense
DE McLeod, DT Johnson, DT Whitfield, DE Maguire, LB Hodges, LB Trujillo, LB Lutz, CB Okomba, FS Adams, SS Jenkins, CB Atkins
 
F&M Offense
QB Erisman, RB Hartley-Vitt, WR Pretty, WR Lammers, WR Walter, TE Schubert, RT Fink, RG Sellers, C Lowe, LG Weiser, LT Denoncour
 
F&M Defense
DE Granaham, DT Kilkenny, DT Hourican, DE McGlinchey, LB Hamby, LB McDevitt, LB Silva-Muniz, CB Smith, S Fenstermache, S Levondosky, CB Holley
 
How It Happened
Lebanon Valley's electric start wasn't enough keep nationally-ranked Franklin & Marshall at bay in the team's 44-21 season-opening loss at F&M's Shadek Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 1.
 
Kody Kegarise impressed in his first career start and the sophomore wasted little time making his impact felt when he capped LVC's opening drive with a 44-yard jaunt to the end zone that put the Flying Dutchmen (0-1) out in front at the 11:22 mark of the first quarter.
 
After the defense held the Diplomats (1-0) on their first possession, a penalty halted LVC's next drive and allowed the home team the opportunity to drive 51 yards in 12 plays to convert the game-tying score as time ran out in the first quarter. An offsides penalty on third-and-goal from the eight-yard line cost the Dutchmen, as the Dips found paydirt on the very next play.
 
Lebanon Valley got a jolt in the form of a 61-yard return on the ensuing kickoff by Tyeair Diggs. For the junior, it was the first of a number of memorable plays on the day. But another miscue negated the team's exceptional starting field position, as a third-down fumble turned the ball back over to F&M.
 
One snap later, the Diplomats had the lead for the first time. Quarterback Tanner Erisman connected with wide receiver K.J. Pretty for a 65-yard touchdown strike and just like that, Franklin & Marshall led 14-7 early in the second quarter.
 
From there, F&M took control, adding a field goal and another touchdown before the end of the first half. The Dips' defense also came to life, holding LVC to just one first down in the final 13 minutes of the second quarter.
 
It was more of the same to begin the second half, as Erisman hooked up with Pretty for another long touchdown less than three minutes into the third quarter, this time of the 60-yard variety. Then came Erisman's third touchdown pass of the game to cap the Diplomats' next possession.
 
After surrendering 38 consecutive points, LVC managed to get something going midway through the third quarter. Kegarise and Diggs played pitch and catch for 59 yards on the team's second drive of the half before the duo connected for a 13-yard touchdown with 6:26 remaining in the period.
 
F&M responded with an impressive 62-yard touchdown scamper by tailback Keshon Farmer on the first play of the next drive but Diggs had one more highlight-reel worthy play left in him, as the return man took the ensuing kickoff 96 yards to the house on the very next play, giving the visitors something to cheer about during a game that got away.
 
Inside the Numbers
- F&M held the edge in total offense by a wide margin at 493-219.
- The Diplomats benefited from three Lebanon Valley fumbles on the day.
- Penalties also hurt the Dutchmen, as they were flagged six times for 49 yards.
- LVC was 0-for-11 on third-down conversion attempts.
- Sophomore Kody Kegarise was solid in his first career start under center, finishing 7-15 for 103 yards and touchdown. He was also the team's leading rusher with 53 yards at a score.
- Tyeair Diggs was very impressive in the opener. In addition to three receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown, he also averaged 29.5 yards per kick return, including a 96-yard score and a 61-yard punt return.
- On the defensive side, corner Tyler Okomba and linebacker Tyler Lutz led the way with six tackles apiece. Lutz added one tackle for loss, while Okomba had one pass breakup.
- Defensive end Austin Maguire recorded LVC's lone sack.
- Alex Trujillo, Zachary Adams, Wyett McLeod, and Tyler Hodges added one TFL each.
- Quarterback Tanner Erisman finished 14-19 for 275 yards and four touchdowns to go along with one rushing score for the Dips.
- Wideout K.J. Pretty hauled in four passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns for F&M.
- The Diplomats recorded five sacks on the afternoon.
 
Who's Next?
The Dutchmen return to the friendly confines of Arnold Field for their home opener against Wilkes on Saturday afternoon.

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