Defense Shuts Out Marauders in Second Half for Football's Opening Win

FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Football team opened their season under the lights of Bobcat Stadium on Thursday evening, taking down the Millersville Marauders 23-6.

Frostburg received the ball to start the game, with junior Sean Aaron rushing for three yards up the middle at the Bobcats' first look at offense. On third and seven, redshirt sophomore quarterback Myles Fulton found a hole in the Marauders' defense, bolting downfield for a 43-yard gain, putting FSU on MU's 39-yard line. Fulton then proceeded to connect with redshirt sophomore Jordan Marcucci for a 20-yard pick up, putting Frostburg in scoring position. A few plays later, redshirt sophomore Owen Doyle pushed his way into the endzone for a one-yard touchdown and FSU's first score of the season. The Bobcats went for two after the score, but were unable to connect, leaving the score at 6-0.

Millersville saw their first possession around the nine minute mark, with Frostburg's defense not allowing MU a first down. FSU saw a quick second possession, giving the ball right back to the Marauders. Seniors Yasir Holmes and Delonta Butler again denied Millersville any kind of offense, giving the Bobcats the ball with 3:25 left in the first. Fulton hit sophomore Trashaun Timmons for a 10-yard pick up to start their drive, but MU's defense allowed nothing else.

Graduate Rob Jackson, senior Colby Street, and junior Jaylen Boyd all picked up a handful of tackles to start the second quarter, trying to stop the Marauders on their next offensive drive, but MU was able to connect on a 13-yard pass to tie things up at 6-6. Frostburg redeemed themselves, with senior Demetrius Salley Jr. getting a hand on the attempted point after keeping the game tied. The Bobcats were unable to get anything going on their next possession, as FSU's defense stepped up their next time on the field, with senior DJ Denson picking off a pass on Frostburg's eight-yard line, giving the ball back to the Bobcats to end the half. Fulton connected on a few short passes, but with time winding down, was unable to put any more points on the board as the second quarter ended with the score at 6-6.

Both teams traded looks at offense to begin the third, with senior Leonard Scott earning himself a sack on the defensive end, causing Millersville to turn the ball over to FSU. The Bobcats put together a good drive downfield, with Doyle busting through the line for a 25-yard gain, before a Frostburg fumble, gave the ball back to MU. Holmes put pressure on the Marauders to make plays, picking up a tackle and a quarterback hurry, as both teams remained cold on offense. On their next possession, FSU quickly found the endzone, as Fulton fed Marcucci for a 47-yard touchdown pass and a 12-6 game. Millersville saw a three-and-out possession to round out the third.

Fulton started out the fourth with a short pass to junior Amari N'namdi-Hall for a quick six yards. Aaron then ran for a pair of yards, before Fulton scrambled to his right and found Timmons for a 43-yard pass downfield, putting the Bobcats in scoring position. The running game picked up 11 yards for Frostburg, before Doyle found himself with another one-yard touchdown just a few minutes into the quarter. FSU completed the two-point conversion to go up 20-6, as Fulton hit junior Jeremiah Gibson in the endzone.

Junior Wylan Harich played tough defense, breaking up a pass, as MU turned the ball over on downs once again. The Bobcats got the ball at the Marauders' 37-yard line, as back-to-back rushes from redshirt sophomore Andre Smith and Fulton finding Gibson combined for a first down. Smith put together a handful of runs, marching Frostburg downfield, as FSU settled for a field goal by senior Brandon Keen at the 1:57 mark to put the game at 23-6. Senior Austin Amadi and Salley Jr. put the Millersville offense away for good, each picking up a sack, as Frostburg got the ball back and took a knee to wind out the clock with a 23-6 final score.

Fulton went 17-for-25 in the air for 188 yards and one touchdown, while rushing for 56 yards. Doyle led the way in the run game, racking up 95 yards and two touchdowns. Marcucci caught three passes for a team-high 70 yards, while N'namdi-Hall caught a game-high six passes. Holmes paved the way defensively for FSU, recording a team-high six tackles and three quarterback hurries. Butler and Scott knotted four tackles apiece, while Boyd, Jackson, and Harich all tallied three.

With the win, Frostburg starts the season 1-0, while Millersville drops to 0-2. The Bobcats go on the road for their next game, going into an MEC matchup against West Liberty on Saturday, September 14 at 1 PM. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.