Frostburg State (1-3, 0-1)
vs.
Utica (2-2, 0-1)
Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 - 1:00 pm
Bobcat Stadium
Live Stats
Directions to Frostburg
Frostburg Game Notes
Setting the Scene
Frostburg State returns to Bobcat Stadium for its third home game as it welcomes Utica in an Empire 8 matchup in week six. FSU is an even 1-1 in its two previous home games this season and looks to pick up a conference victory in its third-ever meeting with Utica.
The Series
The Frostburg State and Utica series is knotted at one apiece as each school has picked up a win at their home stadium. In the first meeting, the Bobcats captured a 44-24 victory in 2011, while Utica earned a 40-0 shutout a year ago.
This Week in the Empire 8
October 12th
Utica at Frostburg State 1:00 pm
Buffalo State at Salisbury 1:00 pm
Alfred at Ithaca 1:00 pm
St. John Fisher at Hartwick 2:00 pm
Coaching the Cats
Tom Rogish is in his sixth season as head coach of the Bobcats. Last season, Rogish guided FSU to a 3-7 overall record.
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.Â
Frostburg State Football History
The Bobcats kick off their 53rd season of action with an overall record of 235-262-8. The Bobcats have reached the postseason eight times, including a trip to the NCAA Quarterfinals in 1993. The school's most recent postseason appearance occurred in 2005 when FSU lost the ECAC Southwest Championship to Moravian, 14-7.
Returning Suitors
The Bobcats return eight starters on offense including four on the offensive line that has arguably been the team's biggest strength for the past two seasons. The foursome has combined to start nearly 80 games over the past few years and paved the way for the Empire 8's fourth best rushing attack last season (150.6).
On defense Frostburg returns five starters from a 2012 unit that had its struggles at different times throughout the year. However, Peter Mayer was named the team's defensive coordinator prior to the start of preseason camp. The defense is spearheaded by juniors Rowan Pinkett and Keith Smith and sophomore Marcus Moody. The trio has combined for 131 tackles this season.
Speaking of Defense
Just before preseason camp head coach Tom Rogish made the announcement of several changes to his staff for the 2013 season. Most importantly, Peter Mayer was named defensive coordinator and the Bobcats have seen significant results in their first three games.
Junior Rowan Pinkett is currently 10th in the country and leads the Empire 8 with 12.3 tackles per contest. Junior Keith Smith ranks 83rd in the country and fourth in the conference at 10.8 tackles per game. He is also ranked 19th in the country and leads the conference at 7.3 solo tackles per contest. Sophomore Marcus Moody stands at 40th in the country and second in the conference at 10.8 tackles per game.
Emmons Amoung The Elite
Junior standout Ken Emmons compiled 521 yards of total offense against Waynesburg and that mark is currently third in the country for total offense in a single game amoung all 242 NCAA Division III teams.
Emmons also ranks 19th in the country in total offense per game (329.5), 36th in the country in points scored (74), 46th in passing yards per game (259.5) and 57th in passing yards (1,038). Â
Offensive Momentum
Following last Saturday's 453-yard offensive output against 19th ranked St. John Fisher, the Bobcats moved up to 25th in the country and remain second in the league in total offense (469.3). FSU is 51st in the country in passing yards per game (267.5) and 66nd in the nation in rushing yards per contest (201.8). Over the last three games, Frostburg is averaging 543 yards per game in total offense.
On paper, the Bobcat offensive numbers appear to line up well against the Utica defense. The Pioneers are 44th in the country and lead the Empire 8 in yards passing allowed per contest (163.3). However, Utica is 128th overall and sixth in the conference in total defense, allowing 373.3 yards per game. UC is also last in the Empire 8 and 191st in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (210.0).
Additional Offensive Numbers
Aside from its impressive total offensive numbers, FSU is also ranked 47th in the nation and first in the conference first downs (99), 50th overall and second in the Empire 8 in third down conversion percentage (44.1%), 36th and first in the conference in fewest penalties per game (4.75), 51st in the nation and second in the conference in passing offense (267.5) and 62nd and second in the conference in rushing offense (201.8).
Backfield Trio
The Bobcat rushing trio of Emmons, junior Mike Fourth and freshman Janai Billips have powered the ground game to the nation's 62nd and the conference's second best rushing attack (201.8 ypg). Fourth currently leads the team with 323 rushing yards on 67 attempts, while Emmons has rushed for 280 yards yards and four scores. Billips has added 202 yards with two touchdowns on the ground.
A Win for Frostburg State Would ...
- Lift FSU to 237-262-8
- Hand the Bobcats a 2-1 record against Utica
- Give the Bobcats their first Empire 8 victory in 2013
- Push FSU's home record to 2-1
- Give Frostburg its second win in as many games at Bobcat Stadium.
Bobcats Last Week
PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The Frostburg State University football team rallied for an early fourth-quarter lead and appeared poised for the upset and one of the largest wins in the program's 52-year history. However, it was No. 19 ranked St. John Fisher that added an eight-yard scoring run midway through the fourth quarter to secure a 38-35 win in the Empire 8 opener for both schools, Saturday.
The contest pitted the league's top two offensive squads against one another and the game was far from disappointing. FSU (1-3. 0-1) totaled 453 yards of offense and held St. John Fisher to 349 yards, just over 176 yards below their league-leading average.
The Frostburg/St. John Fisher matchup also featured the Empire 8's top two quarterbacks in terms of total offense. However, it was Tyler Fenti and the Cardinal offense that had the final say in the outcome.
The Bobcats (1-3, 0-1) trailed by 11 points, 31-20, as the game headed for the final stanza. FSU, which is 0-4 against SJFC, quickly dialed up the pressure against the undefeated Cardinals (4-0, 1-0).
Junior quarterback Ken Emmons opened the fourth quarter with a 12-yard touchdown toss to classmate Antonio Wood. Just 1:16 later, junior Mike Fourth found the end zone from six yards out and suddenly an upset seemed very real as FSU grabbed a 35-31 lead.
On the ensuing drive, Ryan Kramer returned the kickoff 38 yards to setup the Cardinal offense at the Bobcats' 41-yard line. Seven plays later, Cody Miller scored from eight yards out to re-capture the lead for good. Fenti rushed for 13 yards on the final drive, including a five-yard scamper to the FSU 17 on third down and two.
Emmons accounted for 361 yards in offense and two scores. He threw for 283 yards (22-of-49 attempts) and one score and added 78 rushing yards. He found the end zone from a yard out on the game's opening drive that handed FSU an early 7-0 lead. Wood finished with 119 receiving yards on seven catches and the fourth-quarter score.
The game featured four lead changes, 802 yards of offense, but it was Frostburg that emerged with a pair of leads in the opening quarter and one early in the fourth. Following Emmons one-yard scoring run, sophomore Percy Haskins scooped up a blocked punt and scored from a yard out as FSU led 13-7 late in the first.
The nationally-ranked Cardinals answered with 17-straight points for a 24-13 lead early in the third. Miller scored his first touchdown of the ballgame and the hosts added a 27-yard field goal for a 17-13 halftime cushion. Miller tacked on an 11-yard touchdown run for the 24-13 lead with 13:07 showing in the third.
On its first drive of the second half, Frostburg needed just 41 yards and 3:00 minutes to answer and narrow the deficit. Freshman running back Janai Billips scored from two yards out as the Bobcats trailed by just four, 24-20.
The hosts extended their lead to 31-20 with their second touchdown of the third quarter. Fenti tossed his only touchdown of the game, a 21-yarder to Nathan Nigolian with 11 seconds left in the third.
The Bobcats didn't back down as they scored two quick touchdowns early in the fourth to take back the lead. Emmons 12 yard pitch-and-catch with Wood opened the fourth quarter and capped the game's longest drive for either team. Frostburg moved 70 yards in nine plays and needed just 2:31 to narrow the gap to 31-28.
Fisher fumbled at its own 41 on the ensuing drive and the Bobcats needed to march just 39 yards for their go ahead touchdown. Emmons tossed a pair of passes to Wood on the drive that totaled 32 yards and setup Fourth's six-yard scoring run.
Miller and the Cardinals kept their unblemished record intact with the game's final touchdown at 7:48.
Defensively, sophomore Marcus Moody made a game-high 14 tackles, including a tackle for loss. Junior Rowan Pinkett added 11 tackles and junior Keith Smith posted 10.
Last Time Against the Pioneers (2012)
UTICA, N.Y. – The Frostburg State University football team suffered a 41-0 setback to Utica in Empire 8 action, Saturday. The loss drops the Bobcats to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
Utica (4-2, 2-1) scored in all four quarters and opened up a 28-0 lead at halftime. Andrew Benkwitt threw three touchdowns and ran for another to lead the Pioneer offense.
The Pioneers totaled 523 yards of total offense and limited the Bobcats to just 168. FSU sophomore tailback JD Hook ran for 80 yards on 20 carries and caught one pass for 12 yards. Sophomore Ken Emmons threw for 72 yards behind 8-of-22 completions. Sophomore Antonio Wood hauled in four passes for 36 yards.
The Pioneers, who scored four touchdowns on six possessions in the opening half, threw for 385 yards and ran for another 138. Benkwitt ran for a score late in the first quarter and tossed two touchdowns in the second quarter. He opened the third quarter with his third and final touchdown toss.
Thomas Woodburn booted a pair of field goals, one in the third and the fourth, to cap the scoring.
Four different Frostburg players made six tackles. Senior Brendon Blanchette posted six stops with two breakups while Jeremiah Williams made six tackles, three for loss and one sack.
FSU returns to the friendly confines of Bobcat Stadium next Saturday when it hosts Buffalo State at 1:00 pm on Homecoming.
