FSU Football Grinds Out Hard-Fought Victory on Senior Day

In the final home contest of the 2017 season, the Frostburg State University (FSU) Bobcats football team improved to an 8-1 record with a 17-14 comeback victory over Kean University at Bobcat Stadium.

With a number of key players unavailable for the Bobcats, FSU faced an unusually tough test against the visiting conference opponent. With star quarterback Connor Cox sidelined with an injury, the Frostburg offense was led by freshman quarterback T.J. Peer. In what turned out to be an exciting, rain soaked finish, FSU rallied back from a halftime deficit to secure its eighth victory of the season.

Early in the contest, both Frostburg and Kean struggled to move the ball on offense. After a scoreless first quarter, the Bobcats took the initial lead with 4:47 remaining in the second period when senior kicker Hassan Mostafa nailed a 37-yard field goal to give the home team a 3-0 advantage.

Following the Mostafa score, however, Kean roared back for two touchdowns before halftime. Less than a minute after Frostburg took the lead, Kean answered when David Patterson scored a touchdown on an eight-yard pass from Charles App. Minutes later, just before halftime, App finished off another scoring drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to Ben Guarino. As the rain started to fall at Bobcat stadium, FSU entered the locker room at the half trailing 14-3.

Returning to the field in the third quarter, the Bobcat offense finally got rolling. With 9:14 remaining in the period, Peer tossed his first career touchdown pass to receiver Segrio Andino. The 34-yard score tightened the score to 14-10.

Later in the quarter, FSU linebacker Shawn Magginson intercepted a Kean pass to halt a drive by the visitors. On the ensuing offensive possession, the Bobcats drove ahead to take the lead. With 2:51 remaining in the third quarter, Peer found Andino for the pair’s second touchdown of the day on a 13-yard passing play that put the home team up by a tally of 17-14.

In the fourth quarter, both offenses struggled to gain momentum in the rain-soaked conditions. Ultimately, the Bobcats’ defense held strong, and the FSU offense ran out the clock on the 17-14 final score.

Peer finished the game 18-of-32 on passing attempts for 216 yards and two touchdowns. Andino posted 94 receiving yards to go along with his two touchdowns, and Jamaal Morant led the FSU rushing attack with 79 yards on 21 carries. On defense, Vincent Persichetti led the Bobcats with seven tackles.

Now 8-1 on the season, Frostburg will play archrival Salisbury in the 2017 Regents Cup match-up on Saturday, Nov. 11.