(Carlisle, Pa.) – The Dickinson football team rallied for a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter but dropped a Centennial Conference match-up to visiting Franklin & Marshall, 35-14, on Saturday. The Diplomats scored twice in the first and second quarters on the way to keeping possession of the Conestoga Wagon Trophy.

Franklin & Marshall covered 71 yards on five plays, scoring on a seven-yard pass from Tanner Erisman to Kevin Lammers at the 9:49 mark. The Diplomats forced a fumble on the next drive and followed up with a six-minute drive to stretch the lead to 14-0 with 1:41 remaining in the opening quarter.

Lammers found pay-dirt again, going 15 yards after F&M took over on a fumble, reaching the end zone on a reverse to make the score, 21-0, with 10:15 to play in the half.

F&M pinned the Devils inside the 10 but senior Billy Burger (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle) boomed a 60-yard punt to give Dickinson some breathing room.

Unfortunately, it wouldn't be enough as Erisman connected with K.J. Pretty for an eight-yard strike to give the Diplomats a 28-0 advantage at the break.

The teams traded possessions for the better part of the third quarter. F&M scored its final touchdown with four minutes remaining as Erisman dove in from the one-yard line to cap a 66-yard drive.

The Red Devils kept coming in the fourth quarter, finding the end zone with just over four minutes to play. Burger had solid protection as Tyler Dowdle (Burnt Hills, N.Y./Burnt Hills) broke free in the end zone to put the Red Devils on the board.

Dickinson forced a turnover and scored just over a minute and a half later. Phil Petrina (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) picked-off a pass and went 23 yards, diving for the end zone. He came up just shy but junior Jeremy Walsh (Schickshinny, Pa./Northwest Area) plowed in on the next play.

Junior Trystin Golowski (Columbus, N.J./Bishop Eustace) came on a made a nice on-side kick attempt, but the Diplomats were able to cover and run out the clock for the final of 35-14.

Burger was just shy of the century mark, rushing for 92 to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for his career. He completed 18-of-40 passes for 205 yards on the day. Burger had a solid day punting as well, averaging 39.5 yards

Senior Jake Walbert (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson) was on the receiving end of nine passes, covering 126 yards while Jack Porter (Rockville, Md./Landon) made five receptions for 48 yards.

Sophomore linebacker Brian Snow (Media, Pa./Episcopal) anchored the defensive effort with 11 tackles, including two-for-losses. James Turner (Ridgefield, Conn./Suffield Academy) added eight tackles while Kyle Mattison (Wyncote, Pa./Academy of the New Church) tallied seven. Senior John Minicozzi (Media, Pa./Episcopal) came up some big stops on the day, recording 2.5 tackles-for-loss.

F&M improves to 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the Centennial Conference. The Red Devils slip to 2-5 and 2-4 in the CC. Dickinson is on the road next weekend, traveling to Juniata College for a 1:00 pm start.