FRANKLIN, Ind. – Winners of their first two non-conference games, the Franklin College football team looked for their first 3-0 start since 2006 on Saturday (Sept. 18) afternoon when they welcomed the Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers to Faught Stadium for the Grizzlies' final non-conference contest of the year.

Franklin (2-1) held the lead through one half of play, but three second half turnover proved to be pivotal as the Pioneers (1-2) left town with a 44-19 win.

How it Happened
Platteville marched down the field to score on their first possession and held a touchdown lead through the end of the first quarter. Less than a minute into the second quarter, the Grizzlies drew even when Jarrett Gibson collected a 48-yard catch-and-run from Dane Andrews and Franklin's next offensive possession ended with Garrett Cora hauling in an 11-yard touchdown pass. The Pioneers would connect on a 50-yard field goal at the gun to cut the Grizzly lead to 14-10 at the break.

The Grizzlies' offense wasted no time moving down the field on the first drive of the second half, but Andrews was picked off in the end zone to keep the Griz from going up two scores. The Pioneers marched down the field for a touchdown to take the lead, but the point after was blocked by Gervasio Mitchell and Tory Evans scooped up the ball and raced into the FC end zone for two points to tie the game at 16.

Another Pioneer touchdown was followed by a 28-yard field goal from Carter Brown that made it 23-19 Platteville with one quarter to play. But the Grizzlies would commit two fourth quarter turnovers that set up Pioneer touchdowns.

Inside the Box Score
-Andrews finished 23-for-36 for 377 yards, two scores and three interceptions. It marked the second time in his career he surpassed 300 yards passing.
-Jarrett Gibson and Dylan McKinney both went over 100 yards on the day, with Gibson catching nine balls for 145 yards and a score while McKinney had a career-high 127 yards on five grabs. It marked the second time the duo had 100 yards in a game as teammates, the first coming on Mar. 6, 2021 against Anderson.
-Kody Wilkerson and Darian Porter tied for the team lead with eight tackles each with Porter setting a career-high in his first career start.

Up Next
Franklin will have a week off before opening up Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) play on Oct. 2, when they host the Manchester Spartans. Kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m.