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FROSTBURG STATE (0-0, 0-0 MEC) VS NEW HAVEN (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)

-When: Thursday, August 31, 2023
-Where: West Haven, Conn.
-Stadium: Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium (4,500)
-Kickoff: 6 p.m.
-Live Audio: (99.5 DZN Cumberland)
- Live Stats: (New Haven Live Stats)

SERIES BREAKDOWN

-All-Time Series: First Meeting 
-First Meeting: N/A
-Last Meeting: N/A
-Streak: N/A

-LAST TIME OUT FOR FROSTBURG STATE  
   -Frostburg State closed out the 2022 season on November 12, 2022 with a 28-23 win on the road at West Liberty. The rainy finale saw the Bobcats take to the ground and work the potent rushing attack, with projected 2023 season opener starter sophomore RB Sean Aaron rushing for 109 yards against the Hilltoppers. Projected 2023 starting QB Graham Walker failed to break 100 yards through the air, but did record a touchdown pass in the first quarter and a rushing touchdown as well in the fourth. The Bobcat defense came up with a defensive score, as the unit consistently did. The win saw FSU close the season with an 8-3 record, including a 5-1 record in front of the crowd at Bobcat Stadium. 

-SCOUTING THE CHARGERS 
   -The 2023 preseason favorites in the NE-10 conference, the New Haven Chargers are a program of success and consistency. An 8-3 season in 2022 saw the Chargers clinch a playoff berth for the third time in five seasons. The Chargers traveled to take on the Shepherd Rams in the opening round, traveling to Shepherdstown. The eventual Super Region One champions would be held in check by a strong Charger defense. The 16-13 loss for the Chargers came with quite the accomplishment. Thr Rams averaged just under 40 points per game in their run to the Division II semifinals, and the 16 against the Chargers marked their second lowest total across the entire year. The Chargers are looking for their second NE-10 title in three seasons after winning in 2021. 
 
-NEW HAVEN HEAD COACH 
   -Chris Pincince has staked his claim as the winningest coach in the history of the Chargers program, with his 60 wins in eight seasons, and leading New Haven to numerous playoff berths. Pincince took the helm in 2014, after numerous stops around Division I football. Stops as offensive coordinator at Elon, Rhode Island, Holy Cross and overseeing quarterbacks at Brown, Pincince has a host of experience. Pincince began his career in 1995 as a wide receivers coach for New Haven, became the offensive coordinator in 1999, and then returned later for the head coaching job. 

-FROSTBURG STATE HEAD COACH  
   -Eric Wagoner enters his second season as head coach of the Football program, having spent the previous two seasons as the team's defensive coordinator. Wagoner came to Frostburg after serving on the coaching staff at the University of Saint Francis in Indiana for the last 12 years, having been the program's DC for seven seasons. He helped the Cougars win NAIA National Championships in 2016 & 2017 and he was named the 2016 Football Scoop NAIA Coordinator of the Year. In 2016, his defensive squad finished second in the country in scoring (18.4) and second in rushing defense (101.0 ypg). In '17, his Cougar defensive squad led the nation in scoring defense (17.2) and finished first in both total defense (298.0) and rushing defense (92.0). In 2018, he helped the defense to second in NAIA in rushing defense (99.6). Wagoner also served as the Cougars' special team's coordinator and his unit led the Mid State Football Association in kick returns five times in a seven-year stretch. Those return groups also returned eight kicks for TDs.
 
-BEING A PART OF HISTORY
   -Tonight's contest marks the first ever night contest for New Haven in program history. The Chargers pack plenty of fans in for home contests, topping 4,000 in attendance twice in 2022. A program which can be traced back to 1973, looks to usher in a new era. The Bobcats tend to thrive in night contests since joining Division II in 2019, racking up a record of 8-1 under the lights both home and away. 

-2023 MEC PRESEASON POLL
   -Frostburg State was picked second in the preseason voting with 88 points and the remaining first-place vote. The Bobcats won a share of the 2021 MEC Football title before finishing third in the standings in 2022 with a league mark of 7-3. Frostburg State returns several play makers on offense, including quarterback Graham Walker, running back Sean Aaron while having to replace All-American offensive lineman Gottlieb Ayedze up front.

-2023 TEAM CAPTAINS
   -The following players have been named team captains for the 2023 season:
-Sr. OL Michael Hudren #68
-Gr. QB Graham Walker #18
- Sr. K Dayne Koontz #37
- Jr. DE Yasir Holmes #8
- R-Jr. LB Colby Street #0

-ALL SEASON LONG ON 99.5 DZN
   -Join Colin Kirkwood all season long on 99.5 DZN FM for radio coverage of Frostburg State Football. Games are available on local radio as well as online via www.995wdzn.com. Be sure to drop by the radio home of the Bobcats for pregame and postgame coverage of the Bobcats. 

-2022 SEASON AWARDS
 -Wagoner coached offensive tackle Gottlieb Ayedze to an AFCA First Team All-American, D2Football First Team Elite 100, and Don Hansen Honorable Mention All-American. Additionally, kicker/punter Dayne Koontz joined Ayedze as a Don Hansen Honorable Mention All-American, as well as being named First Team Academic All-American. To go along with those tremendous accolades, 14 players earned All-MEC Honors. Ayedze, defensive end Luke Freeman, linebacker Dylan Culpen, safety Wylan Harich, and Koontz all received First Team All-MEC, while running back Josh Maxwell and tight end Will Hall were both named to the All-MEC Second Team. Receiving honorable mentions were wide receiver Jordan Marcucci, fullback Bryant Evans, offensive lineman Greg Gaines, defensive end Yasir Holmes, defensive tackle Rob Horsey, linebacker Colby Street, and cornerback Akyian Loney.