FROSTBURG (0-7)
VS.
UNC Pembroke (7-1)
Saturday, Oct. 31
Bobcat Stadium
Time: 1:00 pm
Series: First-ever meeting between the schools
Directions to Frostburg
Live Stats
Frostburg State Game Notes
Media Contacts
Frostburg State
Noah Becker - nzbecker@frostburg.edu
Office Phone - 301-687-4371
Internet web address - frostburgsports.com
UNC Pembroke
Todd Anderson - todd.anderson@uncp.edu
Office Phone - 910-521-6371
Internet web address - uncpbraves.com
Setting the Scene
FSU welcomes NCAA Division II UNC Pembroke to Bobcat Stadium for the final game of a three-game homestand. This is the first time the Bobcats have played a DII school since they lost to Kentucky Wesleyan 43-31 on October 30, 1999.
FSU looks to pull out a win for its last home game of the season and the final contest at Bobcat Stadum for 11 seniors.
The Series
This is the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
This Week in the ACFC
Oct. 31
UNC Pembroke at Frostburg 1:00 pm
Salisbury at Wesley 1:00 pm
Apprentice at Webber International 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 224-236-8 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
Despite being on a bye last week, seven 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 59 and 55, respectively. Senior wide receiver Avery Willie has control of all-purpose yards (878) with classmate wide receiver Makiha Cooper directly behind him with 634. Junior running back Anthony King joined Willie and Cooper sitting at third in all-purpose yards with 569. Cooper sits alone on top of receiving yards with 589 in 33 catches and is averaging 84.1 per game. King also holds the lead in rushing yards with 474 on 115 attempts. Senior punter Nick Payne joins his teammates this week on the leaderboards with 1,326 yards on 34 punts with the longest at 53. Freshman kicker Zachary Beukers is tied for field goals made in the ACFC with five.
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 61 more yards to bring his total to 878 all-purpose yards so far this season including 490 from kickoff returns and 327 receiving yards.
Making History
In just four career starts, sophomore quarterback Josh Volpe has made an impressive impact on the field. After competing in his fourth game, Volpe has thrown for a total of 956 yards and six touchdowns. Volpe stepped in to replace Butler-Poole starting four 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 474 yards in 115 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 51 yards against Ithaca to bring his all time total to 1,388, and now sits 10th all-time for career receiving yards. Averaging 84.1 yards a game, he looks to surpass ninth all-time against UNC Pembroke.
The Big Stop
Sophomores Jim Lohr and Travis Blair continue to build on their season success leading the team in tackles together averaging 16.2 tackles a game. The duo of Lohr and Blair have combined for four interceptions, 3.5 TFL, four broken-up passes, eight 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 17.8 tackles per game and have posted three interceptions, 8 TFL, five broken up passes, eight passes defended and a forced fumble.
I'll Take That ...
Frostburg State has caused a turnover in 22 of its last 25 games, including one interception against Ithaca two weeks ago.
Total Offense
In the first seven games of the season, the Bobcats have averaged 320.3 yards of total offense a game. At this mark last season, FSU was averaging 284.1. FSU looks to continue this success against a UNC Pembroke defense that is allowing 265.8 total offensive yards a game.
In the Red Zone ...
The Bobcats have proven to be good under pressure scoring 18 times on 22 chances when they get into the red zone. Scoring 82% of the time in the red zone is good enough for FSU to lead the ACFC and overpower UNC Pembroke's 77% scoring rate.
A Last Hoorah
Saturday's game against UNC Pembroke will be the final home game for 11 seniors. This group of seniors include wide receivers Makiha Cooper, Ali Konteh and Avery Willie, defensive ends Mike Iheakanwa and Stanley Eppes, punter Nick Payne, linebacker George Feiser, running back Femi Akande-Elemoso, fullback Tim Arnold, center Ben Crowder and offensive lineman Greg Rhoades.
A Win for Frostburg State Would ...
- Lift FSU to 225-236-8
- Give the Bobcats the lead to open the series against the Braves
- Snap a eight-game losing skid for the Bobcats
- Hand the Bobcats their 20th win over a team from North Carolina
- Give Frostburg a win over a DII school for the first time since 1998 when it beat Kentucky Wesleyan 34-16 on October 31
A Loss for Frostburg State Would ...
- Drop FSU to 224-237-8
- Give UNC Pembroke a five-game winning streak
- Give FSU a 0-8 record for just the third time in school history
The Bobcats Last Game ...
Brian Grastorf threw for all three Ithaca touchdowns and the Bombers sealed a 20-10 win over Frostburg State with a time consuming fourth-quarter drive, on a cold Saturday afternoon at Bobcat Stadium.
With Ithaca (5-2) up 13-10 early in the fourth quarter, Grastorf led the Bombers on a 14-play 71-yard drive that consumed 7:16 of the final quarter. Grastorf capped the drive with a 10-yard touchdown to Dan Higgins for a 20-10 lead. The IC defense then forced a Bobcat turnover and a punt on their final two drives to seal the win.
Ithaca scored on the game's opening drive, moving 71 yards in 3:54 for a 6-0 lead. Grastorf found Dan Ruffrage for a six-yard touchdown, but Andrew Rogowski's kick failed.
Two drives later, FSU capitalized on it's best field position of the afternoon. After an Ithaca punt traveled just 16 yards, Frostburg State took over at the Ithaca 44 and seven plays later, freshman kicker Zachary Beukers (Lusby, Md./Calvert) booted a 28-yard field goal to narrow the gap to 6-3.
On the ensuing possession, Ithaca collected the game's longest drive (76 yards) for it's second touchdown of the game. Grastorf capped the drive with a nine-yard touchdown toss to Thomas Vossler for a 13-3 lead.
The scored remained the same until late in the third quarter when sophomore quarterback Josh Volpe (Germantown, Md./Northwest) found freshman Christian Cook (Reisterstown, Md./Calvert Hall) for a 22-yard touchdown on fourth down to bring the Bobcats to within three, 13-10.
The Bombers then moved down to the Bobcat 28-yard line on it's next drive but junior Terryl Monroe (Temple Hills, Md./Dematha) intercepted a Grastorf pass and gave the ball back to FSU. The Bobcats appeared to be driving for the go ahead score, marching down to the Ithaca 29, but FSU failed to convert of fourth down and handed the ball back to Ithaca. IC then moved 71 yards for the game's final touchdown a 20-10 lead.
Ithaca's offense totaled 354 yards and scored a touchdown in every quarter but the third. Grastorf threw for 192 yards on 18-of-30 completions and three scores.
Frostburg State (0-7) totaled 281 yards in total offense, including 109 on the ground and 127 through the air. Volpe completed 18-of-30 passes for 172 yards and a third quarter score. Cook caught four passes for 47 yards and a touchdown.
Junior tailback Anthony King (Germantown, Md./Northwest) ran for a 65 yards on 10 carries and caught two passes for 13 yards. Senior linebacker George Feiser (Hagerstown, Md./Smithsburg) led all players with 11 total tackles, while Monroe made 10 stops.
