2016 Outlook

Franklin & Marshall has posted four straight non-losing seasons for the first time since 1986-89 ... the Diplomats have depth at the skill positions but need a quarterback to step up and take charge of the offense ... if that happens, and the defense reverts to its stingy self from the past few years, Franklin & Marshall will be in the hunt for a postseason bid. Preseason Prediction: 4th

Head Coach John Troxell

Troxell (Lafayette ‘94) enters his 11th year as head coach with a 54-50 career record … he was named the Conference’s Coach of the Year in 2009 after leading the Diplomats to their best record (9-2) since 1996 … Troxell also served as an assistant at Muhlenberg (1997-2000) … he led F&M to their first back-to-back top-three Conference seasons (2012-13) since 2004-05.

• Coaching Staff

Lettermen Returning/Lost: N/A
Offensive System: Multiple
Defensive System: Multiple

Bobby Keyes

Offensive Preview

Starters Returning (8)
QB-Tanner Erisman, Soph., 6-1, 185, Washington Boro, PA / Penn Manor
RB-Taalib Gerald, Jr., 5-6, 181, Egg Harbor Twp., NJ / Holy Spirit
RB-Dave Shellhammer, Sr., 5-7, 185, Ringwood, NJ / Lakeland Regional
WR-Andrew DeStefano, Sr., 5-10, 185, Berwyn, PA / Conestoga
WR-Bobby Keyes, Sr., 6-0, 195, Huntingdon Valley, PA / Chestnut Hill Academy
TE-Craig Hamilton, Sr., 6-5, 239, Newtown Square, PA / Marple Newtown
C-Mark Opalski, Sr., 5-11, 282, Philadelphia, PA / Penn Charter
OL-Matthew Hvalinka, Sr., 6-4, 285, Bethlehem, PA / Bethlehem Catholic

The Diplomat offense produced more yards but scored fewer points a year ago ... soph Tanner Erisman and junior Zach Bradley will compete for the QB job ... junior RB Taalib Gerald rushed for 322 yards in just four games and senior Dave Shellhammer took over from there with 497 yards ... seniors Andrew DeStefano (40) and Bobby Keyes (38) combined for 78 receptions for 1,172 yards ... seniors Mark Opalski, a honorable mention All-CC pick, and Matthew Hvalinka lead the offensive line.

Jon Naji

Defensive Preview

Starters Returning (8)
DE-Jon Naji, Sr., 6-2, 255, North Wales, PA / La Salle College
DL-Mike Sullivan, Jr., 6-0, 260, Eastchester, NY / Iona Prep
LB-Luke Foukas, Sr., 6-0, 215, Pequannock, NJ / Pequannock
LB-Steve Elf, Sr., 5-11, 223, Glen Mills, PA / Garnet Valley
LB-Nate English, Sr., 6-2, 210, Newtown, PA / Council Rock North
LB-Dylan Jones, Soph., 5-9, 203, Naples, FL / Barron Collier
DB-Vincent Moffett, Jr., 5-9, 190, Philadelphia, PA / St. Joseph's Prep
S-Brendan Daly, Sr., 5-10, 189, Norfolk, MA / St. Sebastian's School

Eight starters are back for an F&M defense that allowed more yards and fewer points than 2014 ... senior DE Jon Naji led the team in sacks (4), while junior DL Mike Sullivan added three ... senior Luke Foukas had 54 tackles and forms a strong LB nucleus along with seniors Steve Elf, Nate English and soph Dylan Jones ... junior Vincent Moffett was a second-team All-Centennial DB and is joined by senior Brendan Daly who led the team in tackles with 64.

Billy Zwicharowski

Special Teams Preview

Starters Returning (2)
K-Billy Zwicharowski, Sr., 6-0, 170, Magnolia, DE / Polytech
P-Cody Hubbs, Sr., 6-1, 211, Howell, NJ / Howell

Senior Billy Zwicharowski made seven of eight field goal tries last fall and 19-of-22 PATs ... classmate Cody Hubbs averaged 37.5 yards per punt, placing 21 inside the 20-yard line ... Moffett led the CC with a 25.6 yard average on kick returns on his way to honorable mention All-CC recognition.

Sponaugle-Williamson Field

Over a century’s worth of football games have played out on Franklin & Marshall’s gridiron. Sponaugle-Williamson Field seats 4,000 spectators around its natural grass field, which is meticulously maintained by the College’s Facilities and Operations team.

Home Record (1983-2015): 101-66-1 (.604)