Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
UTICA, N.Y - J'Von Evans ran for two touchdowns and Utica handed Frostburg State a 20-12 defeat in the Empire 8 opener for both schools, Saturday afternoon.
The Bobcats (2-1) made things interesting late in the game, scoring a touchdown midway through the fourth to narrow their deficit to 20-12. Frostburg had one final drive in the closing minutes stall at Utica's nine that sealed the game.
With 6:16 remaining in the ballgame, Frostburg started at its own 31 and drove 60 yards on 14 plays before turning the ball over on downs. On third and 14 at the FSU 27, senior Ken Emmons connected with freshman Thomas Moore for 23 yards to midfield. Three plays later, Emmons hit junior Haydan Roberts for 10 yards to Utica's 41, and sophomore Austin Bonsall later carried the ball for 26 yards to the Pioneer nine. However, the drive stalled, and following a pair of timeouts, Emmons' fourth down pass fell incomplete as Utica took over with just 22 seconds left in the game.
Utica, which improved to 3-0 with the win, scored a pair of rushing touchdowns in the first quarter and surged to a 13-3 lead. Bobcat sophomore Isaac Robinson booted a 25-yard field goal with 2:46 showing in the first quarter for the Bobcats.
On the opening drive of the second half, Robinson capped a 54-yard drive with a career-best 40-yard field goal that narrowed the deficit to 13-6.
Utica pushed its lead to 20-6 with its third rushing touchdown of the afternoon with seven seconds left in the third quarter.
Frostburg answered midway through the fourth, as it moved 71 yards in 11 plays for a touchdown. Emmons capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown run with 8:35 remaining.
The Bobcat defense tightened up on Utica's ensuing possession, forcing a punt from its own 25 that gave the Bobcats their final possession of the contest.
Frostburg held a clear statistical advantage, outgaining Utica in total offense (264-182), first downs (15-12), rushing yards (154-117), passing yards (110-65) and time of possession (38:17-21:43). The Pioneers capitalized on a fumble inside Frostburg territory for its first touchdown and used special teams to set up their final two scores.
Senior Ken Emmons threw for 110 yards on 13-of-20 attempts and ran for another 43 yards on 19 carries. He connected with Roberts four times for 46 yards, while freshman Perez Mackell led the team in rushing with 49 yards (10 carries).
Quarterback Will Kassar led the Pioneers in both passing yards (65) and rushing yards (70). He ran for a touchdown late in the third that gave the hosts a 20-6 lead.
Defensively, junior Salaman Riddell led the bobcats with six tackles, including one for loss. Senior Matt Heacoack added five stops with a forced and recovered fumble.
Frostburg returns to the field next Saturday when it hosts No. 8 St. John Fisher at 1:00 pm.