Frostburg (0-8)
vs.
Apprentice (1-7)
When: Saturday, November 7
Place: Apprentice Field, Newport News, Va.
Time: 1:00 pm
Series: FSU leads 10-6-1
Live Stats
Frostburg State Game Notes
Media Contacts
Frostburg State
Noah Becker - nzbecker@frostburg.edu
Office Phone - 301-687-4371
Internet web address -
www.frostburgsports.com
Apprentice
Jim Heath - james.heath@ngc.com
Office Phone - 757-688-4935
Internet web address -
www.gobuilders.com
Setting the Scene
FSU is coming off a tough loss to NCAA Division II UNC Pembroke last week. The 52-7 loss ended the Bobcats three-game homestand and they will play their first road game in four weeks as they travel to Newport News, Va. to take on ACFC opponent Apprentice School.
The Series
The Bobcats lead the Builders 10-6-1 in the series. Last time the two teams met, FSU defeated NNA 20-7 on senior day for the Bobcats last year.
The last time FSU beat Apprentice in Newport News was in 2003 when the Bobcats won 28-12 on their opening game of the season.
This Week in the ACFC
Nov. 7
Wesley vs Lake Erie 1:00 pm
Salisbury vs Hampden-Sydney 1:00 pm
Frostburg State at Apprentice 1:00 pm
Coaching the Cats
The Bobcats are led by Tom Rogish in his second season as head coach in the program’s 48-year history. Last season, Rogish guided FSU to a 3-6 overall record against arguably the nation's toughest schedule. The Bobcats led the ACFC in interceptions (12) and turnover margin (+2) and finished second in red zone offense (81.8), pass offense (182.7) and pass efficiency (138.1).
Rogish brought over 30 years of coaching experience to Frostburg State including 29 years in the collegiate ranks. He spent the last 22 years at the Division II level at perennial powers Indiana (Pa.) and Shepherd (W.Va.).
Prior to his arrival in Frostburg, Rogish spent two years on the defensive staff at Shepherd College. The Rams made back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2006 and 2007 including a run to the NCAA Division II Northeast Region championship this past fall.
First Year Hits
This year, the FSU coaching staff has also seen some additions and changes that will bring new perspective and excitement to the all ready veteran staff.
Jim Crawley, legendary coach and avid supporter of Frostburg State athletics, rejoins the staff in 2009 and will be in charge of the kicking game. Crawley served as head football coach for seven seasons from 1968-74 and is the winningest coach in school history with 33 victories. Crawley coached 17 FSU Hall of Fame selections, including Bob Maddox, who was drafted by the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals in 1972.
Tom Vent, who helped the Bobcats in 2008, returns to the coaching staff in 2009 as the director of quality control. He will oversee all aspects of the team and will be in charge of gameday and pressbox organization. He will also serve as the chief alumni liaison, as he is an alum himself (Class of 1972).
Four-year NFL veteran Javin Hunter joins the Frostburg State staff this fall as the wide receivers coach after playing for both the Baltimore Ravens (2002-04) and the San Francisco 49ers (2005). While with the Ravens, Hunter helped the team to 26 wins and the franchises first-ever AFC North Division Title in 2003. Hunter will direct a wide receiver group featuring three returners that make up one of the finest units in the ACFC.
Jeff Rogish, son of head coach Tom Rogish, also joins the FSU staff this fall, bringing a strong background in computer technology and video to the team’s efforts. He will direct the technology side of the staff and will also work with the tight ends.
Frostburg State Football History
Frostburg State is 224-237-8 all-time in the programs 48-year history.
Home Grown Talent
FSU’s roster consists of 114 players from seven different states. The largest number coming from Maryland (101) while neighboring Pennsylvania (6) comes in second.
Here is a breakdown of the FSU roster:
Maryland - 101
Pennsylvania - 6
Virginia - 2
Washington, D.C. - 2
Delaware - 1
New Jersey - 1
West Virginia - 1
Leading the Way
Six Bobcats are still on top of the leaderboard for the ACFC this week. Linebacker Travis Blair and free safety Jim Lohr lead the league in tackles with 71 and 62, respectively. Blair is also tied with three other defenders with two forced fumbles on the season. Senior wide receiver Avery Willie has control of all-purpose yards (997). Senior wide receiver Makiha Cooper sits alone on top of receiving yards with 622 in 37 catches and is averaging 77.8 per game. Senior punter Nick Payne joins his teammates this week on the leaderboards with 1,639 yards on 42 punts with the longest at 57. Freshman kicker Zachary Beukers is tied for field goals made in the ACFC with five.
As a team, the Bobcats control the red zone offense leaderboard, scoring 19 times on 23 chances with 14 touchdowns and five fieldgoals. They also have the highest passing first downs (79) and the most completed passes (131 of 246 attempts).
All-Purpose Player
The Bobcats senior wide receiver Avery Willie has proven to be the go-to-guy when the Bobcats want to move the ball down field. Last week against Wesley, Willie picked up 119 more yards to bring his total to 997 all-purpose yards so far this season including 604 from kickoff returns and 332 receiving yards.
Making History
In just five career starts, sophomore quarterback Josh Volpe has made an impressive impact on the field. After competing in his fifth game, Volpe has thrown for a total of 1,001 yards and six touchdowns. Volpe stepped in to replace Butler-Poole starting five weeks ago against Widener.
Leading the Rush
Frostburg State junior running back Anthony King is running away with the Bobcats rush offense. King is leading the team with 496 yards in 120 carries.
Above and Beyond
Frostburg State senior wide receiver Makiha Cooper continues to build on his over 1,000-yard receiving career. Cooper picked just 33 yards against UNC Pembroke to bring his all time total to 1,421, and now sits ninth all-time for career receiving yards. Averaging 77.8 yards a game, he looks to surpass eighth all-time against Apprentice.
The Big Stop
Sophomores Jim Lohr and Travis Blair continue to build on their season success leading the team in tackles together averaging 16.6 tackles a game. The duo of Lohr and Blair have combined for four interceptions, 5.0 TFL, one sack, five broken-up passes, nine passes defended and two forced fumbles. Following closely behind are senior George Feiser, junior Terryl Monroe and sophomore Gideon Obamwonyi who are averaging a combined 18.6 tackles per game and have posted three interceptions, 10 TFL, five broken up passes, eight passes defended and two forced fumbles.
I'll Take That...
Frostburg State has caused a turnover in 23 of its last 26 games, including two forced fumbles and an interception last week against UNC Pembroke.
Total Offense
In the first eight games of the season, the Bobcats have averaged 291.0 yards of total offense a game. At this mark last season, FSU was averaging 293.0. FSU looks to continue this success against a Apprentice defense that is allowing 399.9 total offensive yards a game.
In the Red Zone...
The Bobcats have proven to be good under pressure scoring 19 times on 23 chances when they get into the red zone. Scoring 82.6% of the time in the red zone is good enough for FSU to lead the ACFC and overpower NNA's 47% scoring rate.
A Win for Frostburg State Would ...
- Lift FSU to 225-237-8
- Give the Bobcats their 11th win over NNA
- Snap a nine-game losing skid for the Bobcats
- Hand the Bobcats their 40th win over a team from Virginia
- Give Frostburg back-to-back wins over Apprentice School
A Loss for Frostburg State Would ...
- Drop FSU to 224-238-8
- Snap NNA's five-game losing streak
- Give FSU a 0-9 record for just the second time in school history
The Bobcats Last Week ...
The No. 11 ranked UNC Pembroke Braves amassed nearly 400 yards in total offense as they defeated the Frostburg State University Bobcats 52-7 in non-conference football action, Saturday afternoon.
Eleven different players carried the ball for the Braves (8-1), who racked up 265 yards on the ground. UNCP entered the contest ranked eighth in NCAA Division II in rushing offense. Keith Gore led the team with 85 yards on nine carries and a touchdown, while Rashon Kennedy finished with 70 yards on 15 rushes and two scores.
Pembroke captured the early lead just under two minutes into the game. After holding FSU to just six yards on its first possession, UNCP's D.J. Ellerbe blocked the punt and recovered it in the endzone for a quick 7-0 lead.
The Braves added to their lead early in the second quarter when quarterback Cory Smith connected with St. Anthony Loyd for an 11-yard touchdown that put the visitors up 14-0.
Frostburg State (0-8) capitalized on a UNC Pembroke fumble for its only touchdown of the contest. Senior Mike Iheakanwa (Lantham, Md./Duval) stripped Smith and recovered the ball at the Pembroke 28-yard line. After a holding penalty on UNCP, junior tailback Anthony King (Germatown, Md./Northwest) scampered 18 yards for an FSU touchdown.
However, UNCP scored on its final two drives of the second half for a 24-7 halftime lead. Kennedy found the endzone from two yards out and Taylor Baskett booted a 24-yard field goal with 30 seconds left.
The second half was dominated by the Braves as they scored four touchdowns, two in each quarter. Pembroke received the second half kickoff and drove 69 yards on seven plays for it's first score of the half. Backup quarterback Garrett Sutphen tossed a 23-yard touchdown to L.J. Johnson for a 31-7 lead. On its next drive, UNCP scored again, this time Daniel Williams scored from a yard out to cap a seven-play 45-yard drive for a 31-7 advantage.
In the fourth quarter, Gore finished off the game's longest drive (10 plays and 73 yards) with a 26-yard touchdown run. Kennedy later scored the final touchdown, a two-yarder, for the 52-7 win.
Frostburg State was limited to 86 yards in total offense by the ninth-ranked Pembroke defense. Sophomore quarterback Josh Volpe (Germantown, Md./Northwest) threw for 45 yards on 6-of-12 attempts. Senior wideout Makiha Cooper (Baltimore, Md./Forest Park) hauled in four balls for 33 yards while Anthony ran five times for 22 yards.
Sophomore linebacker Travis Blair (Upper Marlboro, Md./Oxon Hill) led the Bobcats with 12 tackles, 1.5 TFL and one sack.
Last Time Against the Builders ...
Junior Bryan Brosnan (Leesburg, Va./Heritage) tossed a pair of touchdown passes late in the second quarter to guide Frostburg State to a 20-7 victory over Apprentice in Atlantic Central Football Conference action, Saturday at a cold and cloudy Bobcat Stadium.
The victory hands FSU (3-5, 1-1) its first ACFC win since the Bobcats defeated Buffalo State 27-26 in 2005. The Builders fall to 1-7 and 0-3 in the league with their sixth-straight loss.
After a missed field goal on its first drive and two punts on its next two possessions, Frostburg State got its offense going late in the second quarter.
With a little over five minutes left in the half, senior fullback Donnie Snyder (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) recovered a fumbled punt return at midfield and Frostburg State needed just five plays to find the endzone for a 7-0 lead.
Brosnan hooked up with junior wideout Avery Willie (Aberdeen, Md./Aberdeen) for a 40-yard touchdown strike as FSU took advantage of its best starting field position of the opening half.
After a three and out for the Builders, the Bobcats started at their own 38 yardline and need just four plays to score its second touchdown in as many series.
Sophomore running back Anthony King (Germantown, Md./Northwest) rushed for 11 yards on the first play and Brosnan connected with senior tight end Ben Tate (Camp Springs, Md./Crossland) for 34 yards down to the Builder 17. Two plays later, Brosnan lofted a pass into the corner of the endzone and junior Makiha Cooper (Baltimore, Md./Forest Park) came up with his sixth score of the season as the Bobcats moved ahead 14-0.
Junior kicker Matt Winnegar (Frostburg, Md./Beall) booted a pair of field goals in the third quarter and the Builders cracked onto the scoreboard early in the fourth to cap the scoring.
FSU led in total yards 355-294 and the Bobcat defense held the Apprentice rushing attack to just 74 yards on 25 carries and forced four turnovers.
Winnegar’s first field goal came with 5:45 left in the third quarter from 18 yards and he followed it with his second with only 25 seconds remaining in the quarter from 34 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball junior Chindy Agugua (Gaithersburg, MD/Watkins Mill) and freshman Kevin Harris (Joppatowne, Md./Joppatowne) led the way with seven tackles a piece. Senior Mike Lorentzen (Leonardtown, Md./Leonardtown) had a great day on senior day as he contributed four tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry.