FROSTBURG, Md. – Graduate transfer quarterback Will Brunson threw for two touchdowns and ran for another to help lead Frostburg State to a 27-24 win on Thursday night over visiting West Liberty.
 
The Bobcats improve to 2-1 overall and 2-1 in the MEC with their second-straight win. The Hilltoppers (1-2, 1-2) narrowed their deficit to three with a 27-yard field goal with 5:00 left in the fourth quarter.
 
However, Brunson connected with junior Christian Thornton for a 21-yard pass play and WLU was called for roughing the passer on the same play that setup the Bobcats at the Hilltopper 35. From there, the Bobcats ran out the clock for the win.
 
Frostburg finished the evening with 343 yards of offense and held the ball for nearly 35 minutes. Junior tailback Gavin Lavat rushed for 98 yards on 25 carries, while Brunson scooted for 38 yards on eight carries. His rushing touchdown opened the game's scoring on a fourth-down read option play as he beat the defense to the corner end zone pylon.
 
Brunson completed 13-of-24 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns, one each to Thornton and junior Terrell Brown.
 
Brunson's first TD toss came in the second quarter when he found Brown for 17 yards and a 14-7 lead. Brown setup his own touchdown when he returned a West Liberty punt 30 yards to the WLU 19.
 
West Liberty knotted things at 14-14 when D.J. Frisby scampered 85 yards for a touchdown with 3:13 left in the first half.
 
Frostburg closed the half when junior Jeremy Harrison connected on a 43-yard FG for a 17-14 lead at the break. The Bobcats increased their lead to 20-14 on their first drive of the second half as Harrison knocked home a 46-yard field goal.
 
Frostburg's final points of the evening came on a Brunson to Thornton 28-yard touchdown pass up the visitor sideline for a 27-14 advantage.
 
West Liberty quarterback Zach Phillips connected with Isaiah Robinson for a five-yard touchdown and Owen Rozanc hit a 27-yard field goal.
 
Thornton hauled in career-high 84 yards on five catches, while Brown pulled down five passes for 51 yards. Senior defensive back Michael Bell made nine solo tackles with a tackle for loss and a pass break up. Senior Wayne Palmer contributed seven tackles, one sack and 2.5 TFLs.
 
Frisby finished with 86 yards rushing on five carries, while Phillips added 160 yards through the air.
 
Frostburg returns to action next Thursday at Fairmont State at 7:00 pm.