Tartans Host Franklin & Marshall This Saturday

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – This week, the varsity football team puts their undefeated record on the line against a tough Franklin & Marshall team that last season defeated Carnegie Mellon 6-0 in Lancaster, Pa. But when the Diplomats arrive at Gesling Stadium this Saturday for a rematch they will face a talented and focused Tartans team with the capacity for stellar play any where on the field.

In each of their three victories, Carnegie Mellon overmatched their opponent in virtually every aspect of the game. Over 12 quarters, the Tartan defense surrendered only two scores (both touchdowns) and limited the opposition to just 168 yards of total offense.

Big plays on defense have also been a factor in the unit's early season dominance. Four sacks, four fumble recoveries, an interception and two defensive scores (one touchdown and one safety) help illustrate why opponents have yet to score in the first half and have averaged just four points per game.

In addition to the outstanding leadership of senior defensive back Aaron Lewis (Englewood, Ohio/ Northmont) and senior linebackers Jaime Ploetzner (Rathdrum, Idaho/Lakeland) and James Rogers (Battle Ground, Wash./ Skyview), one key to the defense's success comes from their teammates on the other side of the ball. The Tartans' offense, which averages an eight minute advantage in time of possession, has both given the defense time to rest and built comfortable leads for which the defense has easily protected.

A balanced attack has guided the offense to 29 points per game and given the Tartans the early lead in all three contests. In addition to a powerful running game that churns out 292 yards per game, Carnegie Mellon has expanded their versatility with an efficient passing attack. Senior quarterback Kevin Mulkern (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) has completed 65% of his passes for 335 yards and three scores.

"Kevin has done a wonderful job," Head Coach Rich Lackner said. "He had a great camp and he is making good decisions. We are very pleased with his progress thus far."

Even the special teams units have given the Tartans an advantage during the first part of the schedule. Senior kicker Nathaniel Greenstein (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y./Dobbs Ferry) converted four of five field goals during the 3-0 start and the punt return unit boasts two players, Jonathan Scholl (Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic) and Jonathan Menhart (Rices Landing, Pa./Carmichaels), that each average more than 15 yards per return.

"When you have a sound kicking game in terms of a punt return average like we have, it obviously adds a lot to field position," Lackner said. "And Nathaniel Greenstein kicked very well against Westminster and has kicked well in practice for us."

Franklin & Marshall enters week four on the heels of losing in week two to Kean University to drop to 1-1. But several players return from last year's squad that defeated the Tartans in a hard-fought, defensive slugfest.

Although both teams put up nearly identical total yardage (262 on 66 plays for Carnegie Mellon; 263 on 66 plays for Franklin & Marshall) the Diplomats managed two second half field goals and kept the Tartans scoreless.

"Last year's game was a different team and a different coach, but certainly Franklin & Marshall deserved to win that game," Lackner said. "This year we hope things are different but their kids are well coached and it will be a challenge for us."

Despite the 1-1 record, Franklin & Marshall have amassed impressive numbers on both sides of the ball. Although the defense has yielded 14 points and 249 yards per game, the Diplomats' offense has shown the same balance between run and pass that Carnegie Mellon strives for.

"We know that they have a balanced attack with a good, quick tail back who is a strong runner," Lackner said. "Their quarterback throws a nice football and they spread it out a little bit with a lot of good receivers and they're not afraid to throw the ball down the field."

Their ability to run the ball, 116 yards per game, in addition to a very solid passing game will be at the center of Saturday's game plan for the Diplomats, but the Tartans are also looking to build on the momentum they gained in the first three weeks of the season.

"I think the team's playing hard and we are pretty pleased with our progress," Lackner added. "We think we are improving every week. Certainly the coaches and players are on the same page. We think we are becoming a good football team and we think we can compete."