FRANKLIN – The Franklin College football team made their long-awaited home debut on Saturday (Sept. 21) afternoon, hosting the Adrian Bulldogs.
 
Franklin (0-3) left still in search of their first win, as the Bulldogs (3-0) left town with a 42-21 win.
 
How it Happened
Down 14-0 early in the second quarter, the Grizzlies got on the board as Garrett Cora slipped out of the backfield on fourth down and hauled in a six-yard touchdown, his first score of the year. After forcing an Adrian three-and-out, the Grizzlies finished off an 18-play, 65-yard drive with Cora scoring from a yard out to tie the game at 14.
 
The Bulldogs would counter that drive with a touchdown and Franklin's final drive of the first half stalled out at the Adrian 11-yard line, sending the teams into the half with Adrian leading 21-14.
 
The Bulldogs capitalized on a mistake in Franklin territory in the third quarter, recovering a Kam Jennings fumble at the eight and scoring one play later to take a 28-14 lead. But the Grizzlies had an answer after the mistake as Owen Wright hauled in a 15-yard scoring pass late in the period to cut the Bulldog lead to one score at 28-21.
 
But that was as close as the Grizzlies would get, as Adrian added another score before the end of the third and all three of Franklin's remaining drives ended on downs.
 
Inside the Box Score
-The Grizzly offense finished with 29 first downs and held the ball for 35:17.
-Cora rushed for 149 yards on 29 carries, leading a Franklin ground attack that rushed for 218 yards on the day.
-Kai Ross made his first start of the year, going 17-for-35 for 173 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
-Wright led the receiving group with five catches for 61 yards and a score.
-Austin Ganaway grabbed three passes for 25 yards and Deundre Kirby had 41 yards receiving.
-Kahari Jackson and Keegan O'Neill tied for the team lead with six tackles each.
-Luke Lyons recorded the first interception of his career.
-Third downs played a major role in the outcome, with the Bulldogs converting 8-of-12 third downs while the Grizzlies went 4-for-13.
 
Up Next
Franklin welcomes Ohio Wesleyan to Faught Stadium next Saturday (Sept. 28) for the annual homecoming game. Kick-off is set for 1:30 p.m.