Bobcats Football Wins Final Game of the Season

On Saturday April 17, the Frostburg State University (FSU) Bobcats played their final game of the season against the University of North Carolina Pembroke (UNCP). The Bobcats traveled to North Carolina to be hosted in Grace P. Johnson Stadium, home of the Pembroke Braves. 

The game starts with FSU receiving possession first. Within the first four plays of the game, we see that running the ball was clearly what the Bobcats wanted to establish early, but did not particularly have success on their first drive of the game. The drive ended in three points, largely in part to a thirty-five yard pass from Graham Walker to Kyle Belack. The Braves’ first possession was disrupted by a barrage of great defensive lineman and defensive back play. There was a one yard loss forced by Avery Thurman on an attempted run, and a sack from Luke Freeman and Carl Igweh that caused a four yard loss along with a punt. In the next drive by Frostburg, Walker would once again hit a huge completion for forty-five yards this time to Malik Morris. This placed the Bobcats on the UNCP seven yard line, and after ineffective first and second and goals, Walker and Belack were able to hook up again for the game’s first touchdown, raising their lead to 10-0.

The Braves would make their way into the endzone twice in the second quarter, and after a field goal by the Bobcats, the lead was in the hands of UNCP by one point. Before the conclusion of the second quarter, Frostburg scored the final touchdown of the half. For the third time of the day, Walker connected with Belack for a pass completion. For the second time, it would be for the score. Going into the third quarter the score was 20-13 Frostburg leading. 

Starting off the third quarter, the Braves manufactured a ten play drive where passing the ball was an after thought. Running nine out of ten times, the Braves scored a touchdown and flipped the lead once again. In the next series, FSU had an impressive rushing drive of there own where a gutsy fourth and one play call was made and converted. FSU matched the Braves touchdown and once again went up six points. The touchdown this time came from Aizsha Horne on a thirty yard run. How Frostburg was able to break the pattern of both teams scoring back and forth was on a special teams play. UNCP’s punter was blocked by Morris, and Morris scooped and scored for a touchdown that settled down FSU and sent the Braves panicking.

Frostburg finished out the game with two other field goals giving Dayne Koontz four out of four made on the day. UNCP scored a fourth quarter touchdown, but FSU’s management of the football stopped anything incredible from taking place on the side of the Braves.

The Bobcats finished out the season 3-1. Whereas it may not have been as exciting and fun filled as a typical Frostburg Football season with greater length and playoffs to look forward to, it was better than nothing. For seniors whose possible last time this could have been playing football, it was great to for their last hurrah as well. We should see Frostburg back for next season in September of 2021. It will be great to see the new players added, as well as old players who become veterans and leaders.