Game Notes: Frostburg State at Fairmont State

CLICK HERE FOR FULL GAME NOTES  FROSTBURG STATE (6-3, 5-3 MEC) VS FAIRMONT STATE (8-2, 6-2 MEC)

-When: Saturday, November 11, 2023
-Where: Fairmont, W. Va.
-Stadium: Duvall-Rosier Field (5,000)
-Kickoff: 12 p.m.
-Live Audio: (99.5 DZN Cumberland)
-Live Stats: (Fairmont State Live Stats)

SERIES BREAKDOWN

-All-Time Series: Third Meeting, FROST 3-0
-First Meeting: 2019: FROST 41 FAIR 34 (2OT)  
-Last Meeting: 2022: FAIR 14 FROST 16
-Streak: FROSTBURG +3

GAME NOTES -LAST TIME OUT FOR FROSTBURG STATE 

 
   -To start the game, FSU won the toss and deferred, as GSU received the opening kick. After no true gains, GSU was forced to punt the ball, to which the Bobcats were also forced to do on their opening possession. After many defensive stops by Frostburg, GSU was once again forced to punt the ball. This time, FSU was able to capitalize, as on a second and nine on Glenville's 46-yard line, senior Evan Branch rushed up the middle for a 46-yard gain to score a touchdown for the Bobcats. Senior Dayne Koontz hit the extra point, making the score 7-0 with a few minutes remaining in the first. Glenville fired back as soon as the clock started in the second half, needing a mere forty-five seconds to score a touchdown, but missed the extra point, making it 7-6 with 14:13 remaining in the second quarter.  The Pioneers used passes of 20 and 11 yards to get into the red zone, eventually running it in from seven yards out to take their first lead at 13-10 with only three minutes remaining in the game. Frostburg was set to receive the kick off and caught it on their own 30-yard line. Aaron rushed for two then two of Walker's passes were incomplete. On fourth down FSU went for another pass play but got intercepted by GSU's defense. Using all three timeouts, Frostburg was able to force a punt and get the ball back in the final two minutes. Walker regularly found sophomore Jeremiah Gibson down the field, getting all the way to Glenville's 25 with 12 seconds left. Lining up to tie the game, Koontz pulled his kick wide right, giving the Pioneers the 13-10 victory.

-SCOUTING THE FIGHTING FALCONS 
   -Fairmont State enters the matchup on a three game winning streak, most recently toppling West Virginia Wesleyan last Saturday on the road. The high flying offense of Fairmont State registered 55 points in route to their victory over WVWC. In the past three contests combined, Fairmont State has recorded 109 points, after the game prior to the streak of wins saw the Fighting Falcons held to just seven total points at UNC Pembroke on October 14.

-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.

-FAIRMONT STATE HEAD COACH 
   -Jason Woodman took over the Fairmont State program with a decorated football background in 2012. Prior to joining the Fighting Falcons, he began his coaching career working under Nick Saban, Les Miles and Jimbo Fisher at Louisiana State University from 2004-2006 as a graduate assistant. He would follow Fisher to Florida State in 2007 and work with Bobby Bowden. In 2008 he would then move into Division II to join the Cal U Vulcans in 2008, helping them go 13-1 and advance to the National Semifinals as a running backs coach. Two more stops at Concord in 2009 and 2010 as special teams coordinator and 2011-2012 at Bowie State offensive coordinator. Woodman would earn a playoff bid for the Fighting Falcons in 2016 with a 10-2 record.

-CONTROL THE TEMPO
   - FSU ranks third in the country in time of possession. The average of 33:35 also stands as first in the MEC.  

-SHUT DOWN THE PASS
  - The Bobcats own the second best team passing efficiency defense rating coming into play this weekend. The 84.46 measurement also places them at first in the MEC and trailing Benedict (S.C.) for the national lead who has a value of 83.84. 

-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.