Frostburg (5-1, 4-1 NJAC)  vs.  Christopher Newport (5-1, 4-1 NJAC)
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Frostburg Game Notes
Bobcat Stadium  I  Frostburg, Md.  I  1:00 pm
 

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Setting the Scene
Frostburg State hosts its fourth team at Bobcat Stadium this season when it welcomes Christopher Newport on Saturday for a 1:00 pm kickoff on Homecoming. The Bobcats are 3-0 at Bobcat Stadium this fall and have outscored those three opponents 78-17. FSU also enters the contest having won four-consecutive games in New Jersey Athletic Conference action. Frostburg is currently 5-1 overall and 4-1 in the NJAC and enters the weekend in a five-way tie for first place in the NJAC.

Christopher Newport arrives at Frostburg with a 5-1 overall record and a 4-1 record in the NJAC. The Captains are one of those teams in a five-way tie for the league lead and they are coming off a 28-21 OT win over Montclair State last Saturday. CNU opened the season with four-straight wins, that included a 42-28 upset of then 17th-ranked Wesley.

Saturday's contest will be the third meeting between the Bobcats and Captains and is Frostburg's fourth of six home games this fall.

Frostburg enters the matchup with a 5-1 overall slate after winning four-straight games. The Bobcats downed Geneva in their season opener, 31-10, and have defeated Southern Virginia (24-7), Kean (25-18), William Paterson (23-0) and TCNJ (34-7) over their last four contests.

The matchup with FSU will be Christopher Newport's fourth road trip of the fall campaign and third road game in the last four contests. The Captains are 2-1 on the road this season that includes wins over Hampden-Sydney (45-27) and TCNJ (17-0).

Frostburg is trying for its second-consecutive 6-1 start and third-straight win over CNU. Last fall, FSU reached 6-1 overall after beating the Captains at POMOCO Stadium, 19-14.

Last season, the Bobcats finished at 6-4, including a 5-4 finish in their first season as a member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference. FSU collected a five-game winning streak during the middle part of the season, the longest streak in the program since the 1999 team opened the season 6-0.

The Series
Saturday's matchup between the Bobcats and Captains is the third in the series between the two programs and Frostburg leads 2-0.

The series started in 2010 with a 33-31 victory for Frostburg at Bobcat Stadium. Last fall, the two schools met at POMOCO Stadium as NJAC opponents and Frostburg won 19-14.

Scouting Christopher Newport
Christopher Newport is under the direction of Matt Kelchner and he is the only coach in the 15-year history of the program. CNU added football as a varsity sport in 2001 and has won 102 games heading into the 2016 season.

This fall, CNU is currently 5-1 overall, 4-1 in the NJAC and is part of the five-way tie for first place in the NJAC. Last weekend, the Captains posted a 28-21 overtime win over Montclair State after opening the season with four-consecutive wins. Christopher Newport's only loss was a 10-7 decision to Rowan in early October.

The Captains are ranked third in the NJAC in total offense (365.2) and are second in total defense (272.3). They are also ranked third in both scoring offense (27.5) and scoring defense (15.5).

On offense, CNU is ranked second in the league behind a passing attack that averages 248.0 yards per contest. On the ground, CNU is averaging 117.2 yards rushing per contest and are eighth in the NJAC.

Defensively, Christopher Newport is tied with Frostburg for the fewest yards allowed on the ground this season at 103.7 per contest. CNU is fifth in pass defense (168.7 ypg).

Quarterback Ronald Kearney is the NJAC leader in total offense (250.8), passing yards (1,484), passing yards per contest (247.3) and touchdown passes (11). His favorite target is Taylor Loudan, who leads the league in receptions (56), yards (673) and is tied for the conference lead with five TD receptions. Daquan Davis leads the team with 76 rushes for 332 yards and three scores.

On the other side of the line, the Captains are led by Brennan Gary with 48 tackles with 9.0 tackles for loss and two sacks. Chris Coggins has made 8.5 TFLs with 4.5 sacks.

Scouting Frostburg
Frostburg is in its third season under DeLane Fitzgerald and he has his program headed in the right direction. He has increased Frostburg's win total in each of his first two years and his squad enters this weekend's matchup with Christopher Newport at 5-1 overall and in a five-way tie in the NJAC standings.

The Bobcats enter the game against Christopher Newport with the nation's 11th-best defensive unit as they lead the NJAC by allowing just 243.8 yards per contest. They are also fourth in the country in tackles for loss per game (10.5), 16th in passing yards allowed (140.2) and 18th in scoring defense (14.2).

On offense, Frostburg is fifth in the NJAC at 326.2 yards per game behind the league's fourth-best passing attack (185.2 ypg).

Senior preseason All-American defensive end William Sewell leads the NJAC and is third in the country in tackles for loss per game (2.3) and he currently leads the Bobcats with 49 total tackles. Junior linebacker Dre'Quan Reed is second on the roster with 35 stops. Junior nose tackle Niles Scott leads the Bobcats with 5.0 sacks and is second with 11.0 tackles for loss.

On offense, sophomore quarterback Connor Cox paces the team in total offense with 202.0 yards per game and he has accounted for 10 touchdowns. Sophomore Jamaal Morant leads the Bobcat ground game with 404 yards on 68 carries and four touchdowns. He ran for 188 yards last Saturday against TCNJ with a school-record tying 93-yard run in the third quarter. Junior Russell Neverdon leads the wide receivers with 27 receptions for 450 yards and five TDs.

Head Coach DeLane Fitzgerald
DeLane Fitzgerald is in his third season at the helm of the Frostburg State football program in 2016 and his impact has been immediate. The Bobcats finished 4-6 overall in '14 and posted a 6-4 mark a year ago. The six wins mark the first winning season for the Bobcats since the 2005 season, while the Bobcats' five-game winning streak is the longest since the 1999 team.

Frostburg hasn't just improved in the win/loss column, but the team GPA has improved every semester since Fitzgerald became head coach. Fitzgerald and his staff also see vast improvements in the weight room and around campus and in the town of Frostburg in terms of volunteer hours.

On the field, Fitzgerald's squad continues to improve statistically in every aspect of the game. On offense, the Bobcats set the school record in completion percentage (61.1%) last fall and finished fourth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference in rushing (164.3 ypg.).

On the other side of the ball, the Bobcats' improved in total defense for the second-straight year. In his first year, Fitzgerald's defense allowed 359.6 yards per game, while a year ago, FSU finished third in the NJAC at 313.4 yards allowed per contest. Prior to Fitzgerald's arrival, Frostburg allowed 464.2 yards per contest during the '13 season.

Through five weeks this season, the Bobcats are currently 12th in the country in total defense (240.8 ypg) and fourth in the nation in team tackles for loss per game (10.4).

Fitzgerald also placed an emphasis in special teams since the day of his arrival at Frostburg. Following the '14 season, the Bobcats finished 17th in the nation in blocked kicks (6) and they finished 18th a year ago (6). FSU also finished 11th in the country last season in punt returns (15.63) and 15th in kickoff return defense (14.95).

Fitzgerald's Weekly Quotes
On Homecoming and preparation ...
"Our entire football program is focused on improving each day (academically, socially, and athletically), nothing different from past weeks. Our players and coaches want to do things better today than we have ever done them, period!"

"It's homecoming in Frostburg, and that's always a good time around here. As a coach, my hope is that our players will handle this week with maturity and stay focused on what's important, which is our game at 1:00 pm on Saturday."

On CNU ...
"CNU's head coach Matt Kelchner announced his retirement in August. His players have responded by playing very hard for him the first 6 games of the season. I expect them to continue playing hard this Saturday!"

"CNU is a multiple personnel/formation offense led by #4 KJ Kearney, #54 Scott Fahey, and #5 Taylor Loudan. The key to stopping CNU's offense is containing #5 Taylor Loudan. It's been a long time since I've seen an individual wide receiver be as big a part of an offense as he is. CNU's runs a 4-3/4-4 defense. They are led by #52 Brennan Gary, #90 Chris Coggins, and #3 Justin Drakeford. Our offensive line has to win up-front for us to have success vs. their defense this Saturday."

A Win Would ...
- Lift the Bobcats to 251-279-8 overall in 56 seasons
- Give the Bobcats their second 6-1 start under coach DeLane Fitzgerald
- Hand Frostburg a five-game winning streak for the second-straight season
- Keep FSU undefeated against CNU and improve the record to 3-0
- Push Frostburg's record this season at home to 4-0
- Hand coach DeLane Fitzgerald his 16th win in three seasons at FSU
- Be Frostburg's third-straight Homecoming win

National Rankings (Stats) ...
Through six games this season, Frostburg is ranked among some of the nation's elite teams. The Bobcats enter their matchup with CNU ranked fourth in the country in team tackles for loss per game (10.4), 11th in total defense (243.8), 16th in passing yards allowed per game (140.2), 24th in first downs allowed (85), 27th in blocked punts (1) and 18th in scoring defense (14.2).

Individually, a pair of preseason All-Americans find themselves among the nation's elite. Senior DE William Sewell is third in the country and first in the NJAC in tackles for loss per game (2.3), while senior return specialist Austin Bonsall leads the NJAC and is 44th in the country in combined kick returns (412 yds.). Both were named to the Football Gameplan 2016 Preseason D3 All-American Team.

Senior defensive end J.R. Lowery has scooped up two fumbles this season and is ninth in the country in fumbles recovered. Junior wide receiver Russell Neverdon paces the NJAC and is 33rd in the nation in punt returns (10.8 ypr).

Speaking of the NJAC
All 10 NJAC schools are in action on the seventh weekend of the 2016 season and all 10 are in league play. On Saturday, four games kickoff at 1:00 pm, while TCNJ visits Montclair State at 3:00 pm.

Saturday, October 22
Kean at Salisbury - 1:00 pm
Wesley at Rowan - 1:00 pm
William Paterson at Southern Virginia - 1:00 pm
Christopher Newport at Frostburg - 1:00 pm
TCNJ at Montclair State - 1:00 pm

Kick It Up A Notch ...
Senior kicker Isaac Robinson is one of 16 place-kickers to be recognized during the month of September by the Fred Mitchell Award for his excellence on the football field and for his continued community service. He was also honored on the preseason watch list.

Of the 16 place-kickers on the watch list, Robinson is one of just five kickers from Division III and is the only NJAC representative on the list.

This fall, Robinson is 6-for-10 on field goal attempts with his longest FG coming from 44 yards out in FSU's 24-7 win over Southern Virginia. He is also 12-for-16 on extra point attempts.

Last year, Robinson earned First Team All-NJAC honors and was an ECAC All-Star kicker after finishing ninth in the nation in FG's per game (1.20) and 10th in the country in FG percentage (0.750). He led the NJAC with 12 field goals and he finished the season with 63 points that also included 23-of-26 PAT's.

In terms of community service, Robinson has volunteered with Beautify the Burg picking up trash around the city as well as mulching and painting parts of the town of Frostburg. He has volunteered at local nursing homes, Special Olympics, Storybook Forest, the Scottish Games and has helped with elementary school reading programs.

The recipient of the Fred Mitchell Award will be announced in mid-December based on performance on the football field and in the community.  Details are provided at www.fredmitchellaward.com.

Bringing Home More Bacon ...
Robinson's Fred Mitchell Award Watch List honor isn't the only preseason nomination for a national award that also honors his work off the field. In mid-July, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced its 25th Anniversary Allstate Good Works Team nominees and Isaac Robinson was among the 156 nominations.

The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team has recognized college football players from across the country who exemplify a superior commitment to community service and volunteerism.

During his time at Frostburg, Robinson has volunteered with Beautify the Burg picking up trash around the city as well as mulching and painting parts of the town of Frostburg. He has volunteered at local nursing homes, Special Olympics, Storybook Forest, the Scottish Games and has helped with elementary school reading programs.

A 2015-16 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) All-Academic selection, Robinson is also a two-time Empire 8 Athletic Conference President's List honoree and a four-time Dean's List Student. He majors in engineering and carries a 3.56 GPA.
 
On the field, Robinson was named a 2015 ECAC South All-Star and was a 2015 First Team All-NJAC Special Teams player after leading the league in field goals (12), FG's per game (1.20) and FG percentage (75.0). He was third in the conference in PATs with 23.

He was the lone AFCA Good Works Team nominee from the NJAC.

NJAC Preseason Poll
The NJAC released the 2016 Preseason Coaches Poll in early August and Frostburg State was picked to finish third in the 10-team league. The Bobcats were chosen as the league's dark horse team for the second-straight season and received one first-place vote.
Defending champion Salisbury was picked to repeat as the league champion in '16, followed by seventh-ranked Wesley in second place. Rowan, which received one first-place vote, was picked fourth, while Kean was fifth. Rounding out sixth through 10th place are Montclair State (6th), Christopher Newport (7th), TCNJ (8th), William Paterson (9th) and Southern Virginia (10th).

Frostburg Football History
Frostburg is in its 56th year of collegiate football in 2016 and the Bobcats have an overall record of 250-279-8. The Bobcats appeared in the 1993 NCAA Playoffs and have played in seven ECAC Bowl Games, the last coming at Bobcat Stadium against Moravian in 2005.

The '16 season marks the second year for the Bobcats as a member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). It was announced in March 2014 that Frostburg, along with Christopher Newport, Salisbury and Wesley, would become associate members of the NJAC beginning with the 2015 season. Southern Virginia joined the conference a year earlier in 2014.

The NJAC also contains Rowan, Montclair State, The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), William Paterson and Kean.

Prior to the NJAC, the Bobcats competed in the Empire 8 from 2011-14 and the Atlantic Central Football Conference for 12 seasons from 1999-2010, capturing league titles in 1999, 2003 and 2004.

Last Time Against CNU
Frostburg  19  Christopher Newport  14   Newport News, Va.  - POMOCO Stadium  Oct. 24, 2015
Freshman tailback Gavin Lavat ran for two scores and Frostburg State used a late stop on defense to secure a 19-14 win over Christopher Newport.

CNU maneuvered to Frostburg's 13 yard line late in the fourth and on fourth down, senior defensive back Salaman Riddell broke up a pass to give FSU the ball back with 3:36 to play. Frostburg erased an early 7-0 hole with three-straight touchdowns in the first half. Lavat ran for a score in both the first and second quarters and freshman Connor Cox tossed a 20-yard TD to senior Myless Burgess as Frostburg led 19-7 at halftime.