FRANKLIN, Ind. – Senior kicker Andrew Kibler (Cape Coral, Fla/Mariner) booted a career-long 49-yard field goal in overtime to send the Manchester University Spartans to a stunning 27-24 upset of the Franklin College Grizzlies at Faught Stadium on Saturday October 2.

The Black & Gold snapped a 10-game losing streak with the upset, while also winning for the second consecutive time at Franklin. Manchester defeated the Grizzlies on their own home turf back in October of 2019 – a win that ended a 21-game skid in the head-to-head series between the two Indiana Division III institutions.

After Franklin scored on its opening drive to begin Saturday's contest, Manchester dictated play for the remainder of the first half. The Black & Gold capitalized on an errant snap that sailed over the Franklin punter's head into the end zone and was later recovered by Manchester's Quentin Willis (Athens, Ga./Oglethorpe) for a special teams touchdown.

On Franklin's next possession, the Manchester defense came away with an interception. Devontay Moore (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) picked off Dane Andrew's pass and returned it 15 yards to the Grizzlies' 21-yard line. The Spartans were able to use the short field to put an additional three more points up on the scoreboard as Andrew Kibler's 31-yard field goal put Manchester ahead 9-7.

Midway through the second quarter, the Spartans went ahead 16-7 following a 62-yard touchdown pass from Trevor O'Brien II (Vero Beach, Fla./Vero Beach) to Joseph Powell (Beach Park, Ill./Zion Benton). Rotating a host of quarterbacks this season, O'Brien's pass was his first career completion – taken on his first collegiate snap. Powell led Manchester with 4 receptions and 119 yards receiving on Saturday.

The Spartans led 16-7 at halftime.

Following the intermission, Franklin would score 17 straight points to seize a 24-16 lead. Dane Andrews hit Jarret Gibson from 6-yards out at the 11:26 mark of the third quarter. Later in the third period, Derek Baldin converted a 38-yard field goal. Franklin added another touchdown late in the third quarter following a 2-yard run by Garrett Cora.

The Spartans' withstood Franklin's third quarter flurry and were able to tie the game at the 7:36 mark of the fourth quarter. David Smith (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) rushed from 1-yard out to draw the Spartans to within two points, 24-22. The Manchester offense stayed on the field and Trevor O'Brien II's pass was caught by tight end Justin Abiagom (Chicago, Ill./Mt. Carmel) for the two-point conversion.

Following the game-tying score, Manchester's defense held firm as the Grizzlies picked up just two more first downs the rest of quarter. Manchester's defense stepped up big one more time to begin overtime as the Grizzlies were stopped on their opening possession in the extra frame.

While the Spartans were unable to move the sticks on their possession, Andrew Kibler was able to drive his career-long 49-yard field goal through the uprights for the victory.

Manchester's defense limited Franklin to 298 yards of offense on Saturday afternoon. The Grizzlies were held to 72 yards rushing. Manchester came away with one interception and recovered three fumbles.

Senior Jalen Masden (Evansville, Ind./Evansville) led Manchester with 14 total tackles – 11 of which were solo – on the day. Jabari Webb (Villa Rica, Ga./Villa Rica) added 8 tackles and 2.5 tackles-for-loss. Webb also recovered a fumble. Both Devontay Moore and Sam Huffman (Bremen, Ind./Bremen) added sacks for the Black & Gold. Manchester's defense racked up 8.0 tackles-for-loss for 66 yards on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester starts Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play 1-0 following Saturday's victory. MU will host Defiance College next weekend on Saturday October 9 in Spartan Stadium beginning at 1:30 p.m. It will be Homecoming Weekend at Manchester University.

The Grizzlies (2-2, 0-1 HCAC) will travel to Mount St. Joseph next weekend.