Game Notes

Coming off of a 26-7 win against Lebanon Valley in the first ever night game at Shadek Stadium Friday night, the Diplomats travel to begin conference play against 25th ranked-Susquehanna Saturday afternoon.

F&M scored three unanswered touchdowns in the second quarter of Friday night's home opener to help secure a win against LVC. It all started a blocked field goal from Ryan McArthur that gave F&M the momentum they needed to put it in the endzone. F&M moved the ball down to the 11 yard line where Aaron Rascoe ran it in to score the first touchdown of the season for the Diplomats. The F&M defense forced back-to-back three-and-outs to help the Diplomats gain great field possession to continue putting points on the scoreboard. First-year quarterback Jake Fant found Isaiah Brown in stride for a 28 yard touchdown to put the Diplomats up 13-0. Later in the quarter, Lewis broke off for a 41-yard run to get the Diplomats back into the red zone. Rascoe later punched it in from a yard out to give F&M a 20-0 lead.

LVC got on the board with a two-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter to make the score 20-7, F&M.

F&M's defense made multiple stops in the fourth quarter, including an interception by Justin Gerhart. Later in the quarter, Fant scrambled for an 87-yard run that put the Diplomats at the one-yard line. The run was the third-longest run from scrimmage in program history. F&M settled for a field goal from kicker Laurence Miller. Miller hit his second field goal of the game later in the quarter to put F&M up 26-7.

Fant was 10-19 for the day, throwing for 152 yards and one touchdown. Rascoe recorded 88 yards in 12 attempts rushing. Jack Sutton had two catches for 59 yards, while Gary Lewis tallied four catches for 53 yards. Defensively, Nick Rios and Brian Lafty led the way with eight total tackles each. Lafty also had a seven-yard sack in the game. For his efforts in Friday's game, Lafty earned Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career.

Susquehanna cruised in its season opener at Lycoming, where SU won 45-16 Saturday afternoon. The 25th-ranked River Hawks are led by quarterback Michael Ruisch, who had 22 completions in 28 attempts, and threw for 382 yards with five touchdowns against the Warriors. Tight end Michael Lefever finished with eight catches, 183 receiving yards, and three touchdowns in the win. Lefever's big game earned him Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Week. SU also had 138 yards rushing, led by running back Frankie Negrini who had 16 for 69 yards.