FROSTBURG, Md. – Following a six yard touchdown toss from sophomore Ken Emmons to junior Chuky Iweh with 43 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Frostburg State junior kicker Jonathan Adams knocked home the extra point to give the Bobcats a 17-16 win over Case Western Reserve, Saturday afternoon.
Box Score
The Bobcats (2-1) have proven they like dramatic and thrilling endings this season as they collect their second victory of the season on the final drive of the game.
After trailing for much of the second half, Frostburg started the game winning drive with 4:47 showing on the fourth quarter clock. On the second play of the drive, Emmons scrambled for 16 yards to the Bobcat 35. After three completions the Bobcats were at the Case 41 when Emmons again called his own number and scrambled for 32 yards to the nine. He ran for three yards on first down before finding Iweh for the winning touchdown with 43 seconds left.
Frostburg, which defeated Geneva in its season opener on a last minute touchdown, outgained Case Western 396-222 in total offense and held a significant edge in time of possession (36:05-23:55).
Emmons threw for 221 yards and collected another 93 yards on the ground to lead all players in rushing. Emmons tossed a pass to six different receivers while senior Cory Shank (38 yards) and sophomore Michael Forth (60 yards) each caught six passes.
After forcing a punt on Case’s first possession, the Frostburg offense chewed up a good chunk of the first quarter clock on its way to the endzone and a 7-0 lead. The Bobcats marched 86 yards on 14 plays that covered 6:21 and Iweh ran in from a yard out to give the visitors the lead. Emmons completed four passes for 55 yards on FSU’s opening drive.
The Spartans (2-1) answered on the ensuing drive covering 65 yards before knotting the contest at 7-7. On third and five, Erik Olson tossed a 17 yard touchdown to Manny Sicre for the hosts first score of the afternoon.
The Bobcats had a pair of miscues in the second, an interception and missed field goal, before gathering themselves late in the quarter. On its final drive of the half, Frostburg managed an eight play 62 yard drive that ended with an Adams field goal with just 12 seconds left for a 10-7 advantage at the half.
Early in the third quarter, the Spartans seized the momentum after blocking a punt deep in FSU territory. Case started its first drive of the second half at the FSU 29 but the Frostburg defense didn’t back down. Case needed 10 plays and a fourth down conversion before finally scoring. However, the Spartans missed the extra point and led just 13-10.
The Bobcats appeared to have an answer, driving down to the Case 20 on the ensuing possession. However, a missed 32 yard field goal left the score at 13-10.
Case added to its lead on the first drive of the final quarter. The Spartans started at the FSU 45 following a 28 yard punt return. However, FSU’s defense held the hosts to just a field goal after forcing an incomplete pass on third down at the Bobcat seven. The Spartans converted three times on third down and once on fourth down before having to settle for a field goal with 4:58 remaining in the fourth and a 16-10 advantage.
Case was held to season low numbers by the Frostburg defense. The Spartans entered the showdown with FSU averaging 175.0 yards on the ground but mustered just 86 yards rushing. Case managed 14 first downs and was held to nearly 200 yards below its season average in total offense.
Sicre totaled 112 yards of total offense behind 91 rushing (27 attempts) and 21 receiving (4 receptions). Olson finished with 136 yards passing on 10-of-21 attempts.
Defensively, senior Aaron Gruber finished with 13 tackles, including a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss. Classmate Brendon Blanchette posted 13 stops, his third-straight contest with 10 or more tackles.
FSU returns to action next Saturday when it openes Empire 8 action with a home game contest against Ithaca at 1:00 pm.
