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FROSTBURG STATE (4-2, 3-2 MEC) VS WHEELING (4-2, 3-2 MEC)

-When: Saturday October 15, 2022
-Where: Wheeling, W.Va.
-Stadium: Bishop Schmitt Field (2,200)
-Kickoff: 1 p.m.
-Live Audio: (99.5 DZN Cumberland)
-Live Stats: (Wheeling Live Stats)

SERIES BREAKDOWN

-All-Time Series: FSU 3-0
-First Meeting: 2019, FSU 42-12
-Last Meeting: 2021, FSU 41-17
-Streak: FSU +3

GAME NOTES

-LAST TIME OUT FOR FSU  
   -Frostburg State secured their first win at home over a ranked Division II opponent against #16 Notre Dame (OH) on homecoming this past week in a thrilling fashion picking up a 33-30 win in double overtime. The Falcons would take a 9-7 lead into the locker room at the half, concluding a rather quiet first half between the two. Things would kick off rapidly in the second half as the Bobcats converted on their first onside kick attempt since 2019 to grab possession to open the second half, and would promptly cash in on a 45 yard field goal. The momentum would continue for the Bobcats when redshirt freshman RB Sean Aaron would convert an eight yard touchdown rush to put FSu up 17-9 midway through the third. NDC would close out the third with a touchdown to draw close, but FSU would lead 17-16 at the end of the third. After the Falcons would score another touchdown, the Bobcats would get two more consecutive field goals from sophomore K/P Dayne Koontz of 39 and 51 yards, which tie the game at 23-23. Notre Dame would miss a 49 yard field goal at the end of regulation to send the game to overtime. Aaron would score on the first play of OT to put the Bobcats ahead, and the Falcons would answer to tie at 30-30. NDC would miss a second field goal in double OT to open the door for the Bobcats to win with a field goal of their own. Koontz would drill a 39 yarder to secure the victory, picking up the first ever series win over the Falcons. 

-SCOUTING THE CARDINALS 
   -The Cardinals suffered a closely contested setback last week when they hosted UNC Pembroke, falling by a score of 17-16. WU would find themselves up 13-0 at the end of the first quarter, and struggled to hold off the impending rally from the Braves. UNCP would rattle off 10 straight points to draw to 13-10, but the Cardinals would add a 35 yard field goal on the final play of the half to take a 16-10 lead. The two would hold each other scoreless in the entire third quarter, and the Braves would find the end zone in the fourth around the midway point to grab a 17-16 lead. WU would go on a drive and have a chance to take the lead back with a field goal attempt with a minute remaining, but the 40 yard kick missed. 

-WHEELING HEAD COACH 
   -Zac Bruney has been with Wheeling since the formation of the program in 2018. His program continues to take strides year-by-year, registering five wins last season which is a program high. Playing in exhibition format in 2018, Bruney would coach a team comprised of freshman to an 8-0 record against many JV opponents. Before Wheeling, Bruney worked with the highly successful DIII program Mount Union as an offensive coordinator from 2009-2012.  

-DEFENSIVE CRUNCH   
  -Frostburg State has the sixth-best turnover margin in NCAA Division II with a 1.50, redshirt freshman S Wylan Harich also ranks fifth in Division II in interceptions this season with four so far. 

-RELIABLE HANDS 
    - Redshirt freshman Jordan Marcucci currently ranks sixth in the country in TD receptions with 7, that same mark sits him at first in the MEC in the same category. Marcucci also ranks sixth in the MEC in scoring, racking up 42 points so far this season.  

-RUSHING ATTACK  
     - The RB tandem of senior Josh Maxwell and redshirt freshman Sean Aaron of remains within the top ten of the MEC in rushing. Maxwell ranks sixth with a stat line of (87 car, 405 yards, 4.7 avg, 81.0 apg) and Aaron sits at eighth with a line of (86 car, 472 yards, 5.5 avg, 78.7 apg).

-SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK AT FSU ONCE AGAIN 
   - Junior K Dayne Koontz from Hampstead, Md., went 4-for-4 during Frostburg State's win over No. 16 Notre Dame on Saturday, including a career-high 55-yard field goal and a game-winning kick from 39-yard out in double overtime. He kicked two field goals of 50+ yard (55, 51) and two 39-yard field goals in the win. He also punted eight times for 341 yards (42.8 yd/avg), placing two of the punts inside the 20-yard line. Koontz also sits within the top five in the MEC in scoring, racking up 45 points on the season to date. 

-ADDITIONAL BOBCAT MEC STATS 
   - Eighth in scoring (22.8 PPG)
    - Eighth in Total Offense (344.3 YPG)
    - Eighth in Total Defense (356.7 YPG Allowed)
    - Fourth in Offensive Rushing Yards (173.2 PG)
    - Fourth in Defensive Rushing Yards Allowed (135.3 YPG)
    - Twelfth in Passing Yards (171.2 YPG)
    - Ninth in Passing Yards Allowed (221.3 YPG)
    - Fifth in Sacks Against (9)
    - Fourth in Interceptions (10 for 53 yards, 5.3 Avg Return)
    - Ninth in 3rd Down Conversion (33-92, 35.9%)
    - Eighth in Opponent 3rd Down Conversion (36-88, 40.9%)
    - Fourth in Fourth Down Conversion (4-7, 57.1%)
    - Third in Penalties (45 for 334 yards)
    - Fifth in Red Zone Offense (17-23, 73.9%, 10 TDs, 7-9 FG), Third in Red Zone Defense (11-16, 68.8%, 8 TD, 1 INT)
    - Fourth in Time of Possession (31:16 Per Game)

-ADDITIONAL CARDINAL MEC STATS 
    - Fourth in scoring (30.3 PPG)
    - Sixth in Total Offense (383.8 YPG)
    - First in Total Defense (289.3 YPG Allowed)
    - First in Offensive Rushing Yards (209.0 PG)
    - First in Defensive Rushing Yards Allowed (58.2 YPG)
    - Eleventh in Passing Yards (174.8 YPG)
    - Tenth in Passing Yards Allowed (231.2 YPG)
    - Seventh in Sacks By (10)
    - Fourth in Sack For (9)
    - Third in Interceptions (10 for 68 yards, 6.8 Avg Return)
    - Sixth in 3rd Down Conversion (36-94, 38.3%)
    - Third in Opponent 3rd Down Conversion (26-82, 31.7%)
    - Third in Fourth Down Conversion (8-14, 57.1%)
    - First in Penalties (61 for 609 yards)
    - First in Red Zone Offense (21-26, 80.8%, 15 TDs, 6-7 FGs), Second in Red Zone Defense (16-24, 9 TDs, 1 INT)