By Cameron Baker
For the Daily Journal
Franklin College came into its home opener against Adrian College on Saturday looking to put up a better offensive display than in the past two weeks, where it managed 13 total points.
Despite an improved offensive performance, the Grizzlies were unable to pick up the win over Adrian and lost the game 42-21.
The game marked the return of senior quarterback Kai Ross, who was injured and sat out the first two games of the season. It was apparent that Ross needed to knock off some rust, as the offense struggled to get anything going in the passing game early.
Adrian (3-0) opened the scoring on its second drive off a 36-yard quarterback keeper from Jake Kelbert with 7:18 left in the first quarter. The Grizzlies’ defense also struggled to adapt to the heat, as the Bulldogs capped their next drive with a 28-yard TD pass from Kelbert to Braiden Whitaker.
The Grizzlies (0-3) were finally able to get some momentum in the game after Ross completed a 41-yard pass to Deundre Kirby, and a couple of short rushing plays from Garrett Cora set up Franklin’s first score of the game at the beginning of the second quarter, a 6-yard pass from Ross to Cora.
“Kai kind of really settled into the game,” Grizzlies coach Alan Hensell said. “He’s a guy that has played a lot of football for us these past couple of years. If we’re able to protect him, he can make some good plays for us.”
That first touchdown and some untimely penalties from Adrian seemed to be all the Grizzlies needed to get back into the game, as the defense forced Adrian to punt and the offense tied up the game on Cora’s 1-yard run with 5:58 to go in the half. The Bulldogs hardly sniffed the ball in the second quarter as the Grizzlies continued to feed the ball into Cora, who had already amassed 120 yards rushing by halftime.
When Adrian did finally get the ball back, Kelbert continued to be a problem with his speed, as he led an eight play, 65-yard touchdown drive in two minutes of game time to put Adrian up 21-14. Kelbert finished the game with 119 yards rushingand four total touchdowns.
“Kudos to them. He’s an athletic and fast player. They have a great scheme to utilize him well,” Hensell said.
Coming out of halftime, Faught Stadium erupted as Luke Lyons intercepted Kelbert. Unfortunately, the high did not last for long as a deep ball from Ross fell straight into Waides Ashmon’s hands.
After the back-to-back interceptions, Adrian punted and pinned the Grizzlies at their own 8-yard line. Kam Jennings fumbled the ball shortly after, and Ethan Abberger was able to punch in an 8-yard touchdown rush to put Adrian up 28-14.
That sequence of plays marked the beginning of the end for the Grizzlies, as they were unable to overcome the 14-point deficit. They did respond on the next drive when Ross found Owen Wright in the far corner of the end zone for a 15-yard TD with 4:22 to go in the third, but Adrian again cut through the Franklin defense to add two more touchdowns.
Third-down defense proved to be a problem for the Grizzlies all day, as the Bulldogs converted eight of 12 on the day.
“At the end of the day it comes down to everyone doing what they’re supposed to do,” Hensell said. “It all starts with having good technique and good eyes.”
Cora finished with 155 yards on the ground, while Ross was 17 of 35 passing for 173 yards.
The Grizzlies are back at Faught Stadium for a Sept. 28 homecoming matchup against Ohio Wesleyan, the final nonconference game of the season.
