FROSTBURG, Md. – The fifth-ranked Frostburg football team scored 42 points in the second quarter en route to a dominating 56-0 win over William Paterson in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) action, Saturday afternoon.
The win improves FSU to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the NJAC and marks the first time since 1999 that the Bobcats have started 5-0. The FSU win is the third largest margin of victory in program history, but is the largest margin of victory while shutting out an opponent in the program's 58 years.
The 42-point outburst in the second quarter was sparked by three passing touchdowns from senior quarterback Connor Cox and two special teams touchdowns.
Sophomore Lincoln Ikwubuo opened the second quarter scoring when he fielded a punt at the William Paterson 36 and darted through traffic for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead. On the ensuing WPU possession, first-year linebacker Trevor Craig intercepted a Tracy Fudge pass and four plays later, Cox tossed a nine-yard touchdown to senior tailback Grayson Boyce to make it 21-0.
On its next possession, the Pioneers managed one yard and were forced to punt. Junior wideout Malik Morris rushed around the line from the outside and blocked the punt at the WPU 26. The loose ball was picked up by sophomore Christian Thornton and returned for a score and a 28-0 cushion.
A little over three-and-half minutes later and Frostburg scored again after forcing another punt. Ikwubuo scored for the second time in the frame, this time on a seven-yard TD pass from Cox as the scoreboard read 35-0.
Senior Anthony Taylor set up Frostburg's next touchdown with an interception at the WPU 40 that he returned for 16 yards. Senior Grayson Boyce capped the 24 yard drive with a one-yard plunge for a 42-0 edge.
First-year linebacker Diron Accoo blocked William Paterson's punt on the next drive and Frostburg closed the second quarter with a 13-yard scoring pitch-and-catch from Cox to first-year running back Sam Botchway.
Frostburg's other two touchdowns on the day came in the first and third quarters. Senior Jamaal Morant ran in from nine yards out in the first and sophomore Aizsha Horne broke several tackles on his way to a 54-yard scoring gallop in the third.
The Bobcats finished the afternoon with 373 yards on 68 plays and returned eight punts for 145 yards. Horne led the ground attack with 97 yards on 10 carries and Frostburg totaled 198 yards rushing on the day. Cox finished with 133 yards and the three second quarter scores.
Meanwhile, the Frostburg defensive effort was impressive as usual as the Bobcats limited the Pioneers to 88 yards of offense on 54 plays. FSU also held the nation's worst rushing offense to 57 yards on 41 carries.
FSU intercepted Fudge three times and allowed him to complete just six passes for 31 yards. Frostburg forced the Pioneers to punt 12 times and allowed the visitors into FSU territory just twice. Paterson finished the game 0-for-14 on third down.
Taylor led the way with seven tackles for one interception in the second. Accoo added six tackles, one tackle for loss and a blocked kick, while Craig posted five tackles, one sack with one interception.
The Bobcats return to action next Saturday when they travel to Montclair State for a 1:00 pm.
Notes: The win is the 15th in the last 17 home games for Frostburg … FSU pushed its winning streak to 23 games when scoring first … Under head coach DeLane Fitzgerald, Frostburg is now 23-1 when holding an opponent under 100 rushing yards.
No. 5 Frostburg Dominates In Shutout Of WIlliam Paterson
/seasons/2018/boxscores/20181013_w1lr.xml
2018
William Paterson
0
Frostburg State
56
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Paterson (0-6) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No. 6 Frostburg State (5-0) | 7 | 42 | 7 | 0 | 56 |
Oct 13, 2018