Frostburg Football Wins Emotional Home Opener Over Utica
FROSTBURG, Md. - Senior quarterback Josh Volpe and freshman tailback JD Hook accounted for all six touchdowns as the Frostburg State football team powered to a 44-24 victory over Utica in Empire 8 action, Saturday.
The Bobcats (2-1, 1-1) earned the victory in their home opener in front of a packed and emotional Bobcat Stadium. The contest marked the first football game for the Bobcats at home since the passing of Derek Sheely. The crowd showed its support by wearing white t-shirts, many with Sheely's number 40 on them.
The emotional afternoon did little to slow down the Bobcats. FSU poured out 462 yards in total offense and the defense limited the Pioneers (2-1, 0-1) to just 291 yards. Utica entered the contest averaging 465.5 yards per contest. The Bobcats held the ball for 39:09 and scored six touchdowns.
On the ground, Frostburg ran for 220 yards and three scores. Hook did most of the damage as he ran for 184 yards on 38 carries. He scored two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter to help the Bobcats pull away from a close 30-24 contest. He also caught five passes for 53 yards and a score late in the first quarter that put the Bobcats up, 14-7, after the first.
Volpe had an another outstanding afternoon, throwing for 242 yards (17-of-27) and three scores. He guided the Bobcats to touchdowns on their first two drives of the game. The Bobcats marched 85 yards on their first drive and Volpe found senior wideout Anthony Young for an eight-yard touchdown.
In the second half, Volpe accounted for two more touchdowns. He pushed his way into the endzone from a yard out to make it a 23-14 contest and he later hit a wide open Nick Nowaczyk for a 39-yard touchdown up the visiting sideline as the Bobcats led, 30-17.
The FSU defense even got involved in the scoring output, handing the hosts a 16-14 halftime lead with a safety with 1:37 to play in the second quarter. Senior Ryan Simmons and freshman Arnell Farmer combined to stop Utica running back Jake Larson in the endzone for the team's first safety at home since Washington & Jefferson in 2009.
Despite FSU's offensive success, Utica challenged late in the game. After Nowaczyk's early fourth-quarter touchdown, the Pioneers collected a 59-yard drive in eight plays and quarterback Andrew Benkwitt tossed his second touchdown as Utica narrowed the gap to 30-24.
The Utica defense then forced the Bobcats into a punt on fourth down. However, Zach Tuckmantel's punt hit a Utica player at the three-yard line and senior Marcus Wilson jumped on the loose ball at the one to set up Hook's first rushing touchdown of the fourth quarter.
Benkwitt, who entered the contest with a 285 yard per game average, was hassled by the Bobcat secondary all game. He finished with just 216 yards passing and completed just 45.4 percent of his passes.
Junior Brendon Blanchette led the Bobcat defense with 11 tackles followed by freshman Anthony Chase had nine tackles.
Notes: Hook's 184 yards are the most since Ed Kearney ran for 185 yards against Oberlin in 2002 ... Hook's 100-yard effort marks the third-straight week that an individual has hit the century mark for the Bobcats ... Young has now caught at least one pass in 16 straight games ... FSU's 44 points are the most since a 45-9 win over Seton Hill in 2005.