Frostburg Defeats SVU in Blowout Fashion

On September 19, the Bobcats headed to Buena Vista, VA, where they took on the Southern Virginia Knights in their third game of the season. An offensive attack led by freshmen quarterback Connor Cox (14-18, 141yds, TD) and running back Gavin Lavat (12 rush, 66yds, 2 TD), catapulted the Bobcats into the lead, where they would stay throughout the rest of the game. Frostburg defeated the SVU Knights with a score of 42-7, and improved their overall record to 2-1.

Head coach DeLane Fitzgerald and the Bobcat football team headed to Southern Virginia University, where they were hosted by the SVU Knights. The game began with two early takeaways by the Bobcats. The first of which was forced on the opening kickoff by freshman tight end Noah Teeter. Teeter was able to make solid contact with the SVU kick returner, sending the ball to the ground where it was recovered by senior defensive back Brady Fischer. The Bobcats took over on offense, but were unable to turn this takeaway into points, however, the second turnover of the game was committed by the Bobcat offense on their second play from scrimmage. Freshman quarterback Connor Cox took the snap and scrambled up-field after confusion in the backfield lead to a broken play. As Cox was brought to the turf the ball shook loose and was recovered by the SVU Knights. The two early offsetting turnovers set the tone for much of the first quarter, which remained a scoreless standoff until late in the period.

After their slow start, the Frostburg offense was able to find the end zone twice before the half. The first Bobcat score of the day would be the result of a 45-yard, 3 minute drive which took the Bobcats down to the SVU goal line. With time about to expire in the first quarter, freshman Gavin Lavat powered through the Southern Virginia defense for the score. The Frostburg rushing attack would strike again three minutes into the second quarter as junior wide receiver Thomas Moore took a wildcat sweep handoff, 31 yards to the house.

Frostburg received the second half opening kickoff, and went quickly to work, driving 73 yards in 4 minutes, and capping the drive off with a third team rushing touchdown. The score came courtesy of Lavat, his second score of the day, bringing the score to 21-0 after Isaac Robinson’s extra point.

The Bobcats’ defense complemented Lavat’s second score with a third quarter score of their own. Sophomore Josh Washington intercepted a Southern Virginia pass attempt and tight roped down the sideline for a 41-yard touchdown return.

The Frostburg men closed out the game with two additional touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The first came when quarterback Connor Cox found wide receiver Austin Bonsall on a seam route for a 29-yard score. The second and final touchdown of the fourth quarter resulted from the Bobcat’s returning a SVU punt, the length of the field, for a touchdown. Freshman Sergio Andino made his way up the Southern Virginia sideline before reversing field and sprinting into the end zone for the touchdown.

The Bobcats finished the game with 413 total offensive yards, 22 first downs, and 34 minutes time of possession. Quarterback Connor Cox tossed for 141 yards, completing 14 of 18 pass attempts. Frostburg’s running backs combined for 234 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Running back Gavin Lavat’s two touchdowns earned him weekly honors as the NJAC offensive rookie of the week. “Our offense played well,” said Lavat. “We adjusted well as a team,” after the loss to Wesley. “We went hard in practice all week and kept looking forward to playing SVU.”

Frostburg hosts the Kean University Cougars for their fourth game of the season on Saturday, September 3rd.