FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Football team came up just short in a battle against Notre Dame College (Ohio), falling by a score of 24-21 at home on Saturday afternoon.

Frostburg received the kickoff and quickly marched down field on their first drive. In the first play of the game, senior Graham Walker completed a pass deep down field to sophomore Jevonn Gilyard for a completion of 29 yards. Walker then connected with graduate Justin Brown and sophomore Jamil Bishop for a combined 32 yards, putting the Bobcats in scoring position. Redshirt freshman Owen Doyle proceeded gain 10-yards on a run before junior Kisaye Barnes took it in himself, running nine yards into the endzone for an FSU touchdown. Senior Dayne Koontz tacked on the extra point on his first try of the day, allowing Frostburg to lead 7-0 after their first possession.

Notre Dame looked to respond, but was sent back to a third and seventeen due to a sack from junior Colby Street. Not out of it yet, the Falcons completed a 38-yard pass that allowed them to keep possession. Junior Jeremiah Baxter worked to break up a pass off a quarterback hurry from junior Yasir Holmes, but NDC was able to punch their way into the endzone, tying the game at seven with just over nine minutes left in the first quarter.

Walker wasted no time on the next drive, completing a pass to sophomore Sean Aaron for an 11-yard gain. Walker completed another pass for nine yards, hitting Bishop in the hands once more, as Gibson caught another for 10 more yards. Aaron and Doyle traded runs, leading the Bobcats down field, as Aaron was set up for 17-yard run into the endzone, with Koontz knocking the extra point through the uprights for a 14-7 game.

The Falcons kept their momentum going from their first drive, keeping possession into the second quarter. NDC was able to respond right back, leading their way down field, tying the game again, this time at 14 apiece.

Both teams slowed down a bit, as neither team was able to keep their scoring streak going. Walker threw to Gibson for a 64 yard gain just under the 10 minute mark in the second quarter, putting the Bobcats in field goal position, but Frostburg was unable to put more points on the board as the game remained tied at 14.

On their next drive, NDC marched their way down the field and jumped ahead 21-14. FSU quickly responded as Aaron had a trio of runs for a total gain of 35 yards. Walker then hit Bishop for a 24-yard catch and another Bobcat touchdown, setting Koontz up for a perfect extra point and a 21-21 game heading into the break.

Frostburg's defense came out ready in the second half, forcing the Falcons to go three and out, as graduate Michael Morgan broke up a pass on third down. NDC's defense responded the same way, forcing FSU to go three and out as well.

On their next offensive outing, Notre Dame was able to get just past midfield, before freshman Darrell Scott broke up a pass, putting the ball in the hands of the Bobcats. Walker again led Frostburg down the field converting a few short passes, before hitting Brown for a gain of 33 yards, putting FSU on the Falcons 25-yard line. Koontz set up for a 38-yard field goal but missed, keeping the game 21-21. Both teams were unable to get anything else going in the third, as both defenses kept either team from getting close to their endzone, as the game remained 21-21 heading into the fourth.

With their first drive of the fourth, NDC found their way to a field goal, going up 24-21 with 9:37 left in regulation. Frostburg regained possession, only gaining two yards on offense, giving the ball back to the Falcons. The Bobcat defense was able to contain Notre Dame, giving Frostburg another possession with 6:27 left to go.

The Bobcats started the drive off with an 11-yard from Doyle, leading to two complete passes by Walker. On the Falcons 47-yard line, Doyle rushed for 10 more yards, leading to a 21-yard scamper from Aaron, moving Frostburg into scoring position. With time running down, FSU looked to force the ball into the endzone, turning the ball over and giving NDC the ball back on a toe-tap interception in the endzone. With 1:13 left in regulation, the Falcons were able to keep the ball and wind down the clock, handing Frostburg the 24-21 loss.

Offensively, Walker threw for 273 yards, going 16-for-30. The Bobcats ran for a total of 185 yards on the ground, as Aaron led the way with 99 and Doyle finishing with 62. Street and sophomore Anthony Smith led the way on defense with eight tackles each, while Holmes and junior Vincent Nwachi finished with seven each.

With the loss, Frostburg moves to 3-1 on the season, while Notre Dame goes to 3-2. The Bobcats will remain home to host UNC Pembroke on Saturday, October 7 at 1 PM for Homecoming Weekend. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.