ADA, Ohio – The Franklin College football team kicked off the 2024 season on Saturday (Sept. 7) with a road contest against the Polar Bears of Ohio Northern.
 
The Grizzlies (0-1) struggled to get the offense going and the Polar Bears (1-0) capitalized, taking the contest by a 45-7 score.
 
How it Happened
Franklin's first five drives netted just 24 total yards and the Polar Bears scored twice in the opening period to take control. Franklin's offense would be kept in check until the fourth quarter, when Kam Jennings took a handoff 19 yards to the end zone for Franklin's lone score of the day.
 
Inside the Box Score
-The Polar Bears controlled the tempo of the game on the ground, netting 294 rushing yards to 89 for the Grizzlies.
-Jennings led Franklin with 42 yards on eight carries, with pre-season All-American Garrett Cora limited to just seven yards on 13 attempts.
-Trevor Winkles had a career-high 19 yards on five carriers.
-Sophomore Devlin McGee got the start under center, going 7-for-16 for 57 yards through the air.
-Owen Wright led the receiving group with 35 yards on two grabs.
-Senior DeMarion Newell led the way for Franklin's defense with a career-high 14 tackles and a pair of tackles for loss.
-Junior Haden Durnil picked off a pass in his first career appearance at linebacker.
-Senior Adam Guth netted 39.4 yards per punt on seven attempts, with a game-best 62 yard boot at one point.
 
Up Next
Franklin is back on the road next Saturday (Sept. 14) afternoon, taking on Hope College. Kick-off from Michigan is set for 1:00 p.m.