FROSTBURG, Md.

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UNC PEMBROKE (2-2, 2-1 MEC) @ FROSTBURG STATE (4-0, 3-0 MEC)
-When: Saturday, Oct. 2. 2021
-Where: Frostburg, Md.
-Stadium: Bobcat Stadium (4,000)
-Kickoff: 1 p.m.
-Live Video: (Frostburg State Broadcast)
-Live Radio: ( 99.5 WDZN Cumberland)
-Live Stats: (Frostburg State Live Stats)

SERIES BREAKDOWN
-All-Times Series: Tied 1-1
-First Meeting: 2009 - UNCP 52-7
-Last Meeting: 2020 Spring - FSU 40-28
-Streak: Even

NOTES:

PRIOR TO KICKOFF      
The Frostburg State Bobcats will host the UNC Pembroke Braves this Saturday afternoon in the fifth game of the 2021 season at 1:00 p.m.

Frostburg enters the matchup vs UNCP this week after a 42-23 victory over the Concord Mountain Lions in week 4 on Saturday afternoon.This season marks the first time the Bobcats have gone 4-0 to open the season since 2018, with wins over Stevenson 34-7, TCNJ 47-7, Rowan 34-7 and Wesley 35-34. This the first undefeated season start in the DII era.

UNC Pembroke enters the matchup after dropping their matchup last week against Fairmont State, 30-27.

SERIES HISTORY      
-The all-time series history is tied: 1-1. The first meeting was in 2009, where the Bobcats fell by a 52-7 margin at Bobcat Stadium.The more recent matchup in 2021 was a victory for the Bobcats, 40-28 on April 17th in Pembroke, NC. In a game where the Bobcat receiving core had a fantastic day, senior Malik Morris had three receptions for 132 yards and graduate student Kyle Belack had two touchdown catches on three receptions.

LAST TIME OUT ON EACH SIDE     
Frostburg State captured a 42-23 victory on September 25th over Concord in conference play. The Bobcats would take a 21-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to a 30 yard interception return from sophomore Mitchell West, and offensive scores from seniors Gavin Lavat and Lincoln Ikwubuo. Ikwubuo would add another touchdown reception to his line in the first half, but the defense had come to play that day when Freshman Payton Payne would recover a fumble and return it 55 yards for a touchdown, the second of the day for the defense.

The Bobcats would put up 35 points in the first half of the game, going into the locker room with a 35-13 advantage. The scoring would quiet down in the second half, with one touchdown on either side. Frostburg would hold off the Mountain Lions to win it 42-23.

UNC Pembroke fell on September 25th with a last few minutes loss to Fairmont State at home 30-27. The Braves would build a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, however Fairmont would storm back to take the lead 17-14 in the third.

The Falcons and Braves would trade scores back and forth throughout the third and fourth quarters, with three scores coming in the fourth alone. The Falcons would get a touchdown within the last two minutes of the game to secure their first win of the season on the road 30-27 over the Braves.

THE RUSH IS ON      
The Bobcats feature one player in the top five of the Mountain East Conference after four weeks in rushing yards. Senior Gavin Lavat checks in at number five on the list with 309 yards total and 77.3 yards avg/g.

CLEAR SKIES      
-Frostburg State has the top player in the MEC in passes defended after four weeks of the season. Senior Akyian Loney has tallied six pass breakups and one interception totaling seven on the year to date.

GETTING NOTICED      
-Frostburg State was mentioned in the weekly AFCA Coaches Poll receiving 39 votes this week. This is the most amount of votes that FSU has received in the poll since the October 28th, 2019 edition where the Bobcats received 9 votes.
 
PUSHING THEM BACK      
-Junior Luke Freeman ranks fourth in the MEC in the tackles for loss department after four weeks with a stat line that reads: six solo, two assisted for a seven total and 36 yards. Additionally, senior Hauns White ranks fifth in the MEC with six solo, two assisted for a seven total and 40 yards.

GREAT HANDS      
-Senior Malik Morris sits right outside the top five in receiving leaders for the conference at 6th place with 11 receptions for 309 yards, 3 TDs, with a 77.3 avg/g.

BRING THE PRESSURE      
-Frostburg State currently has two players within the top 10 for sacks amongst the MEC. Seniors Hauns White (10th, 3 solo, 1 assisted) and junior Luke Freeman (9th, 3 solo, 1 assisted) continue to pace the defense this season.

HOLD ON TO THE FOOTBALL      
-Freshman Payton Payne is second in the MEC in fumbles recovered with two this season and a yardage return total of 55, which includes the touchdown he scored from one against Concord last week.

SCOUTING FROSTBURG STATE    
- 4-0 Overall in 2021.
- Third in MEC in scoring offense (31.5 avg/g), fifth in scoring defense (20.3 avg/g).
-  Fifth in total offense (336.5 avg/g), sixth in total defense (361.3 avg/g).
- Fourth in rushing offense (145.8 yds/g), second in rushing defense (76.5 yds/g).
- Tenth in passing offense (190.8 avg/g), twelfth in passing defense (284.8 avg/g).
- Second in MEC in sacks (16); fifth in MEC in sacks allowed (8).
- Third in MEC in interceptions for (6).
- Seventh in time of possession in MEC (29:17 avg).
-Fourth in MEC in 3rd down conversion percentage (22-56, 39.3%).
-Third in MEC in opponent 3rd down conversion, (20-59, 33.9%)
-Third in red zone offense in MEC, (12-16, 75% / 9 TDs / 3-3 FGs)
-Ninth in the MEC for penalties, 47 for 383 yards.

SCOUTING UNC PEMBROKE     
- 2-2 overall in 2021.
- UNCP ranks fourth in MEC in scoring offense (30.3 avg/g), tenth in scoring defense (28.7 avg/g).
- Sixth in total offense (326.7 avg/g), ninth in total defense (387.0 avg/g).
- Eleventh in rushing offense (40.0 yds/g), seventh in rushing defense (143.3 yds/g).
- Second in passing offense (286.7 yds/g), ninth in passing defense (243.7 avg/g).
- Tenth in MEC in sacks (6); ninth in MEC in sacks allowed (15).
- Third in time of possession in MEC (30:15 avg).
- Fourth in MEC in interceptions for (6).
- Eleventh in MEC in opponent 3rd down conversion (19-41, 46.3%)
- First in MEC in punt returns, (3 for 91 yards, 1 TD)

ADDITIONAL UNC PEMBROKE NOTES     
- First year of football - 2007
- All-time program record: 80-65
- Program's best recent single season was 2016 at 10-2 overall (lost in 2nd round of NCAA Playoffs to North Alabama 41-17).
- Shane Richardson is 30-41 in the midst of season number eight at UNCP.

A VICTORY WOULD      
- Lift the Bobcats to 296-287-8 overall in 60 seasons.
- DeLane Fitzgerald his 57th victory at the helm of Frostburg State.
- Be a 5-0 start for Frostburg State for the first time since 2018.

FSU SUCCESS MONTH BY MONTH     
The month of October has been a stellar month for Frostburg football, netting a winning percentage of 82% (0.821).

In fact, since the 2015 season, Frostburg is 23-5 and has won its last 11 games straight in October.  

Follow along monthly as month-by-month winning percentage is tallied here.

Frostburg Month-By-Month Over The Last Five Seasons
Month    W-L
September    21-6
October    23-5
November    12-6

TEAM GAME STREAKS    

HOME WINS: 4
last loss: vs Notre Dame (OH) (13-35) 11/2/19

ROAD WINS: 4
last loss: at Notre Dame (OH) (19-25) 3/20/20

CONFERENCE WINS: 5
last loss: at Notre Dame (OH) (19-25) 3/20/20

SCORING: 69
last shutout: at SUNY Brockport (0-46) 10/11/14

SCORING A TD: 62
last contest without a TD: vs Wesley (3-44) 9/12/15