Franklin, Ind. - NCAA Division III No. 1-ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater scored 21 third-quarter points to break open a close first half in defeating the Franklin College football team 42-13 on Saturday at Faught Stadium. The game was a rematch of a second-round matchup in the 2013 NCAA Division III playoffs.

The Grizzlies (0-2) came out sharp against the defending national champions, scoring on their first two offensive possessions, and held a 13-7 held after the opening quarter. Senior Grant Welp (Ferdinand, Ind./Forest Park) scored on a fourth-down running play from two yards to cap the team's 16 play, 75-yard game-opening drive. The extra-point attempt failed.

The Warhawks (2-0) answered with a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Behrendt to Jake Kumerow.

Franklin regained the lead on the first play of the next possession. Welp hooked up with senior tight end Dylan Jenney (Floyds Knobs, Ind./Floyd Central) for a 75-yard touchdown pass with 54 seconds left in the first quarter. That gave the hosts a 13-7 advantage on the scoreboard and a sizable advantage in time of possession (10:43 to 4:17).

Wisconsin-Whitewater took a 14-13 lead at the 9:41 mark of the second quarter on Behrendt's second touchdown pass of the half.

The Grizzlies missed an opportunity to take the lead at halftime. The team moved the ball to the one-yard line before the Warhawks' defense withstood the challenge, stopping Welp on a fourth down play with 2:39 left in the period.

In the second half, Behrendt found Kumerow on the opening drive of the second half for a one-yard touchdown pass to give the visitors a 21-13 advantage. The Warhawks added two rushing touchdowns in the third quarter to build a 35-13 lead. Behrendt threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game to cap the scoring with 11:24 left in the game.

Individually, Welp completed all seven of his first-quarter passes for 118 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for a score in the opening 15 minutes. For the game, the senior complete 18 passes for 218 yards and a score. He also rushed for 29 yards and the first-quarter touchdown.

Jenney led the receivers with five receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown. Senior Zach Cole (Middletown, Ind./Shenandoah) caught four passes. Sophomores Zay Thornton (Ocala, Fla./Vanguard) and Ty'Ronte Files (Ocala, Fla./Vanguard) each had two receptions.

Defensively, junior Jeremiah Windell (Corydon, Ind./Corydon Central) had a game-high eight tackles. Seniors Jameson Brock (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville) and Trevor Yates (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) each recorded seven stops.

Franklin had 302 yards of offense, highlighted by 218 yards through the air.

The Grizzlies open Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play at Anderson University on Saturday, September 20 at 1:30 p.m.