WHEELING, W.Va. – Graduate quarterback Will Brunson tossed two touchdowns, junior running back Gavin Lavat eclipsed 100 yards on the ground and the Frostburg defense scored twice as the Bobcats powered to a 42-12 win over Wheeling, Saturday.
FSU, receiving votes in this week's AFCA Top 25 Poll, scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to blow open the contest against a winless Cardinal team in their first year as a varsity program.
The win is the seventh-straight for the Bobcats and keeps them in second place in the MEC standings ahead of next Saturday's showdown with sixth-ranked and undefeated Notre Dame (7-0).
FSU fell behind 6-0 midway through the first quarter before rallying as it totaled 370 yards in offense behind 163 on the ground. Frostburg held the ball for nearly 34 minutes despite scoring two defensive touchdowns.
Lavat ran for over 100 yards for the second-consecutive game and the fourth time this season as he finished with 123 on 27 carries. Brunson completed 10-of-19 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns, both coming in the second quarter as FSU built its lead to 21-6 at halftime.
The defense put FSU on the scoreboard late in the first quarter when sophomore linebacker Diron Accoo stepped in front of a Tucker Strachan pass and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown that gave the visitors the lead for good at 7-6.
Frostburg added its second and third touchdowns within 23 seconds of one another late in the second quarter. Brunson found first-year Jawaun Werrell for a 22-yard touchdown pass with 25 seconds showing in the first half.
Senior Vincent Persichetti forced a fumble and recovered the loose ball on the ensuing kickoff and the Bobcats were in business at the Wheeling 28. Two plays later Brunson connected with junior Christian Thornton for a 28-yard TD and a 21-6 advantage.
The Cardinals narrowed the deficit late in the third when Cam'Ron McClain scored from two yards out as the score read 21-12.
The Bobcats dominated the fourth quarter and sealed the win with three touchdowns over the final 15 minutes. Junior running back Aizsha Horne ran for 48 yards on FSU's second drive of the fourth quarter including a 10-yard touchdown run with 6:34 showing.
Junior quarterback Chad Palmer connected with junior wideout Dervonn Holton for a 41-yard touchdown pass with 2:07 to play and sophomore defensive back Xavier Campbell intercepted a pass and returned it 51 yards for the final points of the afternoon.
Persichetti finished the game with 11 tackles, the fumble recovery and two pass breakups. Accoo posted two interceptions, his second coming early in the fourth. Holton caught a career-best 118 yards on five receptions and was the only Bobcat player with more than one reception.
Strachan threw for 156 yards and four interceptions while completing just 16-of-40 passes. Sy Alli led the Cards in rushing with 99 yards on 16 carries.
FSU will host Notre Dame next Saturday at Bobcat Stadium at 1:00 pm.
