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FROSTBURG STATE (3-1, 2-1 MEC) VS UNC PEMBROKE ( 1-3, 1-2 MEC)

-When: Thursday September 29, 2022
-Where: Pembroke, N.C.
-Stadium: Grace P. Johnson Stadium (4,000)
-Kickoff: 4 p.m.
-Live Audio: (99.5 DZN Cumberland)
-Live Stats: (UNC Pembroke Live Stats)

SERIES BREAKDOWN

-All-Time Series: FSU 2-1
-First Meeting: 2009, UNCP 52-7
-Last Meeting: 2021, FSU 51-21
-Streak: FSU +2

GAME NOTES 

-LAST TIME OUT FOR FSU  
   -Frostburg State suffered their first loss of the season in a nail biter vs Concord in a matchup of the last two undefeated in the MEC. The Bobcat offense would be stagnant throughout the first half, mustering only six points heading into the half. Trailing 16-3 at the end of the third quarter, the Bobcats would rattle off 13 points, with the final touchdown coming as time expired in the fourth. Trailing 23-22, FSU would attempt to secure a two-point conversion in order to win, but a false start would push them back and personnel would swap in order to attempt the extra point to head for overtime. A botched hold would cause the attempt to go wrong, and the Bobcats would lose 23-22. The loss snapped a 10 game winning streak at Bobcat Stadium dating back to 2019. 


-SCOUTING THE BRAVES  
   -The Braves have been trying to shake a sluggish start to their 2022 season, dropping their season opener to a tough Fayetteville State team and dropping a surprising game to Glenville State. UNCP would travel to take on Fairmont State, a team that dealt the Braves an unexpected loss last season. At the end of the third quarter, things looked promising as UNCP lead 21-10 after a 60 yard punt return as the Braves looked to clamp down on the victory. Fairmont State would rattle off 15 points in the fourth quarter and storm back to secure their first victory of the season, and taking the second matchup since the Braves joined the conference. Fairmont State would register two touchdowns through the air, and a safety would not be enough for UNCP to get back in front, losing 25-23. 


-UNC PEMBROKE HEAD COACH 
   -Shane Richardson officially began with the Braves football program as head coach in 2014, and has continued to guide the Braves program. Within the first three years of him taking over, UNCP would appear in the NCAA Playoffs in 2016 following a 10-2 record. Richardson looks to take a step forward, as his program has yet to take the jump since joining the MEC as a football member in 2020, but did manage to go 6-4 in conference in 2021. 

-BOBCATS ON A THURSDAY
   -Due to Hurricane Ian potentially impacting the area, this matchup originally scheduled for October 1 will now take place on Thursday September 29. With the change, the Bobcats now have three Thursday contests on the 2022 schedule, and have not lost a game on Thursday since 2019, going 8-0 since the season opening loss on that date.

-ONE TWO PUNCH 
    - Senior RB Josh Maxwell and redshirt freshman RB Sean Aaron both rank within the top five in rushing in the MEC with Maxwell in second (80 att, 376 yds, 4.7 avg, 1 TD) and Aaron in third (60 att, 371 yds, 6.2 avg, 2 TDs). 

-RELIABLE HANDS 
   - Redshirt freshman Jordan Marcucci currently sits in first in the MEC with six touchdown receptions through four weeks of the 2022 season. Marcucci also leads the conference in scoring with 36 points in the season to date. 

-ADDITIONAL BOBCAT MEC STATS 
   - Eighth in scoring (23.8 PPG)
    - Sixth in Total Offense (377.8 YPG)
    - Third in Total Defense (337.3 YPG Allowed)
    - Second in Offensive Rushing Yards (207.0 PG)
    - Third in Defensive Rushing Yards Allowed (117.8 YPG)
    - Twelfth in Passing Yards (170.8 YPG)
    - Eighth in Passing Yards Allowed (219.5 YPG)
    - Third in Sacks Against (5)
    - Second in Interceptions (7 for 53 yards, 7.6 Avg Return)
    - Fifth in 3rd Down Conversion (25-64, 39.1%)
    - Fifth in Opponent 3rd Down Conversion (20-55, 36.4%)
    - Third in Fourth Down Conversion (3-5, 60.0%)
    - Fifth in Penalties (33 for 265 yards)
    - First in Red Zone Offense (13-18, 72.2%, 7 TDs, 6-8 FGs), Second in Red Zone Defense (6-9, 66.7%, 6 TDs, 1 INT)
    - First in Time of Possession (34:17 Per Game)

-ADDITIONAL BRAVE MEC STATS 
    - Seventh in scoring (25.8 PPG)
    - Ninth in Total Offense (333.0 YPG)
    - Ninth in Total Defense (412.3 YPG Allowed)
    - Eighth in Offensive Rushing Yards (129.0 PG)
    - Tenth in Defensive Rushing Yards Allowed (197.0 YPG)
    - Eighth in Passing Yards (204.0 YPG)
    - Sixth in Passing Yards Allowed (219.5 YPG)
    - Eleventh in Sacks Against (11)
    - Third in Sacks By (11)
    - Tenth in Interceptions (3 for 28 yards, 9.3 Avg Return)
    - Twelfth in 3rd Down Conversion (11-52, 21.2%)
    - Sixth in Opponent 3rd Down Conversion (21-57, 36.8%)
    - Eleventh in Fourth Down Conversion (2-9, 22.2%)
    - Sixth in Penalties (32 for 275 yards)
    - Eighth in Red Zone Offense (8-12, 66.7%, 6 TDs, 2-4 FGs), First in Red Zone Defense (7-14, 6 TDs, 1-6 FGs)