FROSTBURG, Md. – Freshman Isaac Robinson booted a 19-yard field goal with three seconds left to propel the Frostburg State University football team to a 36-33 victory over Case Western Reserve, Saturday at a rainy and windy Bobcat Stadium.
The Bobcats (1-2) picked the perfect time to post their longest drive of the season as FSU marched 93 yards on 14 plays in the closing minutes to setup Robinson's game-winner. Junior Michael Fourth ran for 27 of his career-high 185 yards, but the biggest play of the drive came on fourth-and-11 at the Case 34. Junior Ken Emmons scrambled to his right and found sophomore Haydan Roberts, who broke away from a defender up the home sideline for a 30-yard reception to the Case four. Following a timeout by both teams, Robinson handed the Bobcats the win.
The Spartans (1-2), who led 26-20 at halftime, answered a pair of Frostburg third-quarter touchdowns early in the fourth. Billy Beecher found the end zone from a yard out just five seconds into the final stanza that knotted the contest at 33-33.
FSU seemingly took charge of the contest when it quickly moved 65 yards on just four plays for a score just 1:10 into the second half. Fourth capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown.
The second third-quarter score came on the ensuing Bobcat possession. Sophomore Salaman Riddell intercepted a Beecher pass at the Case 38 and two plays later, Emmons connected with junior Antonio Wood for a 22-yard touchdown.
The victory marks the second-consecutive offensive explosion for the Bobcats. FSU posted 567 yards of offense and 29 first downs, while five of the Bobcats' six scoring drives covered at least 50 yards. Frostburg ran for 281 yards and tacked on another 286 through the air. The Bobcats have averaged 588 yards of offense over the last two weeks.
Fourth finished the ballgame with 210 all-purpose yards to lead both teams. He added two receptions for 25 yards on to his impressive 185 rushing yards (35 carries). Emmons had another outstanding day in the pocket, throwing for 286 yards (14-of-23) with three touchdowns. He tossed a pair of scores to sophomore Myles Burgess in the second quarter that helped Frostburg rally from a 17-6 deficit. Burgess finished the afternoon with four receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
For all the success the Bobcats had in running the ball, Case Western was just as good. The Spartans finished with 295 rushing yards, led by Ricky Hanzlik, who finished with 105 yards on 20 carries. Erik Olson threw for 111 yards on nine completions with one touchdown.
Junior Rowan Pinkett posted his second-straight game with 15 tackles. Sophomore Marcus Moody made 11 stops, while junior Keith Smith added 10.
Frostburg State has a bye this Saturday but travels to St. John Fisher on Saturday, Oct. 5 (1:00 pm) for the Empire 8 opener for both schools.
Notes: Fourth's 185 rushing yards are 11th on the single-game record list … Emmons has totaled 863 yards of offense with 10 touchdowns in the last two games … FSU has lost the time of possession battle in each of the last two weeks, despite averaging 588 yards of offense … The Bobcats have scored in each of the last eight quarters of play after scoring just three points in the first four quarters of the season.