PEMBROKE, N.C. – The Frostburg State Football team narrowly lost their rescheduled road game to UNC Pembroke by a final score of 10-9 on Thursday afternoon. The game was originally schedule to be played on Saturday, October 1, however due to the impending Hurricane Ian had to be rescheduled. 
 
FSU was unable to get anything going on offense to start the game and were forced to punt. UNCP drove down the field on their first possession, all the way to the Bobcat four-yard line, but the defense kept the Braves out of the end zone and held them to a field goal for a 3-0 lead.
 
Both teams traded punts for the next three possessions, then UNCP marched down the field again, this time finding pay dirt and converting the extra point for a 10-0 lead. Frostburg's offense found some life after the resulting kick-off, as the first play from scrimmage was a 50-yard throw from sophomore Isaiah Lester to fellow sophomore Cole Porter. Lester then scampered for 13 yards on a key third down, setting up a six-yard TD pass to redshirt freshman Jordan Marcucci to get on the board, with junior Dayne Koontz knocking through the extra point to get within 10-7.
 
FSU's defense kept the Braves off the board on the final drive of the half, thanks in part to a massive sack by sophomore Yasir Holmes. The Bobcats forced UNCP to punt on the first drive coming out of the third quarter, then the offense drove the length of the field, highlighted by a 39-yard catch by senior Donnell Milligan. Frostburg looked certain to take the lead, getting all the way to the one-yard line, but the Braves defense locked down to force a turnover on downs.
 
With UNCP backed almost into their own endzone, redshirt sophomore Delonta Butler made the most of the opportunity, powering his way into the backfield to make a great tackle and earn a safety, bringing the score to 10-9. Each team traded a turnover and punts to take the game into the fourth quarter.
 
On the second play of the final frame, redshirt sophomore DJ Denson stepped up big and nabbed an interception on a long throw to get FSU the ball back. The Bobcats were unable to get anything out of the drive, being forced to punt and allowing the Braves to take several minutes off the clock. With just under two minutes remaining, Frostburg finally got a third down stop to force a 36-yard field goal, which was missed wide left to give FSU a chance to drive down and win the game.
 
Lester completed short passes down the field, trying to manage the clock, as he even called his own number and had to run for a few yards at a time and get out of bounds to save time. On the drive, the Bobcats were able to get to the UNCP 30-yard line with four seconds remaining, but Koontz didn't have enough leg on his 47-yard field goal try, ending the game at 10-9 Braves.
 
Lester finished 14-of-26 for 156 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Porter had three catches for a game-high 67 yards, while Marcucci had a game-high five catches and Frostburg's lone touchdown. The defense was led by senior Luke Freeman and redshirt freshman Wylan Harich, who each tallied a game-high 10 tackles, followed closely behind by senior Dylan Culpen.
 
The loss drops FSU to 3-2 on the year, while UNCP improves to 2-3. The Bobcats return to action on Saturday, October 8, where they return to Bobcat Stadium to take on Notre Dame (Ohio) at 1 p.m. on Homecoming. Information and updates will be posted at frostburgsports.com.