DEFIANCE, Ohio – Just a few short weeks ago, Franklin College junior running back Garrett Cora broke out and set a new career-high in rushing yards.
 
On Saturday (Oct. 14) against Defiance, Cora not only eclipsed his previous high but flirted with a record that has stood for 50 years.
 
The Lizton, Ind.-native carried the ball 30 times for 318 yards and four touchdowns as Franklin (3-3, 3-0 HCAC) remained perfect in conference play with a 35-21 win over the Yellow Jackets (2-4, 1-2 HCAC). Cora became just the second Grizzly to ever run for more than 300 yards in a game, joining Ron Doyle who set the program record with 327 yards in a game back in 1973.
 
How it Happened
On Franklin's second drive of the day, Cora raced through the rain on a 58-yard touchdown to put Franklin on top. Two drives later, Cora took a first down carry deep in Franklin territory and broke free for a 77-yard rushing score to make it 14-0 Grizzlies after one quarter.
 
The Yellow Jackets cut into the Franklin lead on their first drive of the second quarter and Franklin faced a fourth-and-eight on the Yellow Jacket 31 on their next drive. Cora's number was called once again on the play and he made it count, getting through the line and racing 31 yards to the house to make it a 21-6 game, which is where the score stood at halftime.
 
After the Griz defense forced a turnover to start the second half, the offense faced fourth and goal on the Defiance two. Rather than go back to the ground, Kai Ross found Owen Wright in the end zoneto make it 28-6 with 6:23 to go in the third and cap a 13-play scoring drive.
 
A pair of Defiance touchdowns got the hosts back within a score with 5:43 to play, but Cora put the game out of reach with a 35-yard touchdown run at restored a two-score lead with three minutes to play.
 
Inside the Box Score
-Franklin's offense leaned heavy on the run to combat the wet conditions, finishing with 55 attempts for 344 yards.
-Ross was tasked with throwing just nine passes, completing five.
-Senior Jireh Ojata was a problem for the Yellow Jacket offense all day, leading Franklin's defense with nine tackles, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
-Freshman safety Haidyn Bulmer picked off the first two passes of his career. 
-Franklin held the ball for 35:12 on the day, setting a new season-high for time of possession.
 
Up Next
The Grizzlies return home next Saturday (Oct. 21) for a meeting with Rose-Hulman in a showdown of HCAC unbeaten teams. Kick-off from Faught Stadium is set for 1:30 p.m.