UNC PEMBROKE (3-2, 2-2 MEC) VS FROSTBURG STATE (3-1, 2-1 MEC)
-When: Saturday, October 7, 2023
-Where: Frostburg, Md.
-Stadium: Bobcat Stadium (4,000)
-Kickoff: 1 p.m.
-Live Audio: (99.5 DZN Cumberland)
-Live Video: (Bobcat Sports Network)
-Live Stats: (Frostburg State Live Stats)
SERIES BREAKDOWN
-All-Time Series: Fifth Meeting, Tied 2-2
-First Meeting: 2009: UNCP 52 FSU 7
-Last Meeting: 2022: FSU 9 UNCP 10
-Streak: N/A
GAME NOTES
-LAST TIME OUT FOR FROSTBURG STATE
-Frostburg State suffered defeat for the first time in 2023 last Saturday in a matchup against the Notre Dame College Falcons. The Bobcats would jump ahead on the first drive of the day, scoring from a Kisaye Bares direct snap to lead 7-0. The Falcons would respond later in the first quarter, tying the score at 7-7. After FSU would make the scoring 14-7 in the first quarter, NDC would do the same in the second quarter by scoring 14 points to send the game to halftime with a 21-21 scoreline. The scoring would take a back seat in the second half, as a missed FG by FSU would send the game tied into the fourth quarter. The Falcons would convert a 36 yard FG to lead 24-21, and the Bobcats would gab the ball with a chance to drive late for a tie or win. Starting at their own 28, FSU would march the ball into the red zone, but a late interception on the goal line would seal it for the Falcons as they would hold on, 24-21.
-SCOUTING THE BRAVES
-The Braves hosted Wheeling last weekend, and a high scoring affair ensued between the two. The Braves racked up 503 offensive yards against the Cardinals on only 58 total plays while the Cardinals ran 87 plays for only 389 yards. The first quarter only saw a 6-3 scoreline with the Braves in front, but the offense would proceed to take off in the following quarters. The Braves would win 41-20, Featuring the duo of QB Colin Johnson with 334 passing yards and six touchdowns, while WR Trey Dixon racked up 240 reception yards on seven catches amd four touchdown receptions.
-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.
-UNC PEMBROKE HEAD COACH
-UNCP made changes over the offseason, bringing in Mark Hall from Chowan. Hall lead the Hawks to a 14-7 record in two seasons and secured a North Division Title in 2022 before departing to join the Braves. Hall brought some former MEC experience to the table, both playing and coaching for former MEC institution Urbana as a WR, coaching RBs in 05-06 then taking over the offensive coordinator duties in 07 before becoming the long time offensive coordinator for Chowan from 2008-2020.
-OFFENSIVE WEAPON FOR THE BRAVES
– Last week saw UNCP WR Trey Dixon record seven catches for 240 yards and four touchdowns. The feat set single game records for reception yards and reception touchdowns for the Braves and secured both MEC and D2FB.com weekly honors.
-PROTECTING HOME TURF ON HOMECOMING
– Frostburg State has rattled off nine straight victories on homecoming weekend. The last time FSU fell on homecoming was 2013, a 32-7 loss to Alfred. Last season FSU defeated Notre Dame College 33-30 in double overtime to extend the streak.
-SHUT DOWN THE PASS
– The Bobcats own the seventh best team passing efficiency rating coming into play this weekend. The 90.97 measurement also places them at first in the MEC.
-ROLLING THE DICE
– FSU ranks fifth in the country in fourth down conversions (4-5). UNCP also features an 80% conversion rate (4-5) coming into action today, both offenses are not afraid to roll the dice.
-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