Bobcats Move Record to 6-1 for the first time since 99′ in game against Christopher Newport

On October 3, FSU’s football team traveled southeast to Christopher Newport University, in Newport News, VA. The night game in POMOCO Stadium would be a tale of two halves for the Bobcats, scoring all 19 of their points in the first two quarters, then relying on their defense in the final two frames to close out the win. Frostburg scored 19 points to the Captains’ 14, and moved to 6-1 (5-1 NJAC) on the season.

After giving up the first score of the game late in the first quarter, the Bobcats responded quickly. Freshman tailback Gavin Lavat and the Bobcat offense drove 58 yards in 7 plays, eventually finding the endzone on a 4-yard rush by Lavat. The touchdown was the first of three; the Bobcats would score in the first half, and the first of two touchdowns for Lavat.

Lavat’s second touchdown was a 9 yard rushing TD at the start of the second quarter. The score was the result of a 40-yard 3 play drive which took a minute and 12 seconds off the game clock, and gave the Bobcats a 13-7 lead after the Isaac Robinson failed extra point attempt.

Bobcat quarterback Connor Cox would also find the endzone, connecting with Myles Burgess for a 20-yard touchdown pass. The Bobcats would try for two point and fail the attempt. The touchdown snag was Myles Burgess’ 4^th TD of the season, and extended the Frostburg lead to 19-7.

After the halftime intermission, the Bobcat defense returned to the gridiron and tasked with protecting the cushion which the offense provided them. The Defenses’ play in the 3^rd quarter created an offensive stalemate, as neither team was able to find the endzone.

The halt in scoring action came to a close in the 4^th quarter, when CNU’s Tyler Quigley culminated a short drive with seven points. Quigley scooped up a fumbled snap and rushed for the pylon, sticking the ball over the plane of the endzone and bring the Captains back within one score of the Bobcat lead. It was a Bobcat turnover on downs which gifted the Captains’ with the short field.

The Bobcat defense might have broken twice, but the next time the Captains would reach the redzone, it would be the CNU offense which failed. On their final drive of the game, Christopher Newport found itself inside the redzone at the Bobcat 11-yard line. The Bobcat defense stonewalled the CNU attack. Frostburg linebacker Graham Broschart tackled CNU wide receiver Kyree Burton for a 5 yard loss, and the secondary then broke up each of the following CNU pass attempts. A 4^th down incompletion completed the defensive stand and won back the ball for the Frostburg offense.

Following the big defensive stop, the Bobcat offense put the game away with their 4 minute style offense. Freshman running back Gavin Lavat ripped off three back to back first down runs, and allowed quarterback Connor Cox to end the game on a knee.

The win propelled the Bobcats to a 6-1 overall record, and gave them a 5-1 total in NJAC conference play. The last time Frostburg started the season 6-1 was the 1999 season. That year, the Bobcats finished 8-2 and made the playoffs. This year’s Bobcats are hoping to create that same result, and have the stage set for them to make their case. The team will travel to New Jersey next, where they will play the Rowan Profs, a nationally ranked top 25 team. The Profs enter the game with just one loss, a close one score decision against the Wesley Wolverines last week. Frostburg’s only loss also came at the hands of Wesley, who defeated the Bobcats early in the season by a lopsided margin. Should the Bobcats upset Rowan on enemy turf, and reach a record of 7-1, the Bobcats could break into the national rankings for the first time in years.

The Bobacts will return to The Burg for their final home game of the season on November 7, closing out their short 4 game home schedule.