FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State football team won at home over West Liberty on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 21-7.
 
Frostburg hosted Staff and Faculty Family Fun Day on a beautiful Saturday afternoon looking to remain undefeated on the year following a bye week.

The Bobcats won the toss and deferred to take the ball in the second half, as each team was forced to punt on their opening drive. FSU's defense came up with the first big play of the game when junior Will Burns came up with a one-handed pick in the middle of the field on a 2nd-and-3. Getting down to the WLU 42, Frostburg went for it on a fourth and two and failed to reach the line to gain for a first down, then as West Liberty drove the other way to the Bobcat 27, they decided to go for a 4th and 6 with redshirt senior Josh McTier breaking up the pass attempt. FSU couldn't generate much on the ensuing possession, as the Hilltoppers held the ball to the end of a scoreless quarter.
 
West Liberty started the second period of by finishing off a 41-yard drive, including a 4th-and-10 conversion, to go up 7-0.  In response, redshirt junior Owen Doyle and redshirt sophomore KJ Smothers ground their way down the field, picking up all 50 yards needed, with a nine-yard run from Doyle making the game at 7-7 after redshirt sophomore Harrison Fritz' extra point. The Bobcat defense came up big on the next drive, as McTier came up with another PBU on fourth down from the 20, stopping the Hilltoppers once more. After giving up a pick earlier on, WLU had another chance to take the lead before half, intercepting redshirt sophomore Jordan Brooks with just under two minutes to go. As time ticked down, West Liberty tried to ram their way into the end zone after a 1st-and-Goal, but time wasn't on their side as they weren't able to get off enough plays and saw the clock hit zeros for the half. 

The third quarter started with FSU receiving the kickoff, seeing success on the ground before stalling out on a long third down. Each team exchanged drives ending in punts, taking things into the final frame. Frostburg got the ball with a couple minutes left in the third, as the offensive spark came from Doyle on a 43-yard burst down the left side, getting all the way down to the Hilltopper 40 to set things up for the fourth.
 
Brooks was able to find redshirt sophomore Cruiz Paul-Umstead for 20 yards and a clutch 3rd-and-15 conversion, allowing Doyle to later add another touchdown on his day with a one-yard run into the end zone. The FSU defense forced another punt to set up another drive, limiting the visitors to just 13 yards. The march began with a quick screen to senior JeVonn Gilyard that went for 22 yards, as Smothers carried three times for 15 yards to get into West Liberty territory. After success on the ground, Brooks stepped into a 4th-and-7 throw and found Paul-Umstead for a 34-yard pass up the seam for a touchdown. With the Bobcats leading 21-7, WLU had to try and move the ball through the air, but saw little success, as back-to-back incompletions turned over on downs. Frostburg was able to run most of the remaining time, with Doyle carrying nearly 30 yards before being stopped at the goal line, however the Hilltoppers had no time remaining to generate anything, dropping the game 21-7. 
 
FSU was led by Doyle and Smothers on the ground picking up 125 and 118 yards, respectively, as the former also notched a pair of touchdowns. Defensively, redshirt sophomore Carter Mazalewski led all tacklers with 10, while senior CT Taylor had a sack and a tackle-and-a-half for loss.
 
With the win, the Bobcats are now 3-0 on the season with West Liberty going to 0-4. Frostburg hits the road next week to play against West Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday, September 27 at 7 p.m.. For more information please visit frostburgsports.com.