Frostburg State University men’s football fell 27-24 to Wheeling University on Saturday, Oct. 24, at home in Frostburg, Maryland, after a late comeback attempt came up short. The loss dropped Frostburg State to 4-4, while Wheeling improved to 4-4 in the Mountain East Conference.
Wheeling led 13-5 at halftime, but Frostburg State moved ahead 16-13 in the third quarter. The Cardinals regained the lead before Peyton Murphy connected with Austin Paul-Umstead for a 26-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Daysen Shell caught the successful two-point conversion pass to bring Frostburg State within three points.
Peyton Murphy Leads Frostburg State Offense
Murphy completed 13 passes for 279 yards and two touchdowns. His scoring passes included a 74-yard touchdown to Tra’Shaun Timmons and the late 26-yard touchdown to Paul-Umstead.
Timmons led Frostburg State’s receiving effort with six catches for 156 yards and one touchdown. Paul-Umstead’s touchdown gave Frostburg State a chance to tie the game, but a short kick kept possession with Wheeling, which converted a third-and-7 with a 32-yard pass from Landon Lutz to Sajari Love and ran out the clock.
Wheeling Regains Lead After Frostburg State Rally
Wheeling took an early lead before Tyler Cook made a 28-yard field goal for Frostburg State. Cook added a 34-yard field goal in the third quarter, then Murphy found Timmons for a 74-yard touchdown and ran for the two-point conversion to give Frostburg State a 16-13 advantage.
Wheeling answered with rushing touchdowns from Dawaun Green and Ayden McKinstry to move ahead 27-16. Frostburg State responded with Murphy’s touchdown pass to Paul-Umstead and the two-point conversion to Shell, but the Cardinals held on for the three-point victory.
Wheeling totaled 457 yards, including 255 passing yards and 202 rushing yards. Frostburg State finished with 404 total yards, including 279 through the air and 125 on the ground.
Frostburg State Defense Produces Key Plays
Rainer Halveland led Frostburg State with seven tackles, including two tackles for loss and one sack. Will Burns also scored two points by returning a blocked extra-point attempt 75 yards.
Frostburg State went 2-for-8 on third down, while Wheeling converted 10 of 16 opportunities. Frostburg State forced several key stops, but Wheeling made enough plays late to protect its lead.
Frostburg State Football Schedule
Frostburg State will host Delta State on Saturday, Oct. 31, at noon. The game will conclude Frostburg State’s three-game homestand.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Frostburg State created opportunities with explosive passing plays, including Murphy’s 74-yard touchdown connection with Timmons and the late scoring pass to Paul-Umstead. The Bobcats also produced key defensive plays, but Wheeling’s 457-yard performance and third-down advantage helped the Cardinals survive Frostburg State’s late push.
Frostburg State will carry a 4-4 record into its Oct. 31 matchup with Delta State.
Source: Original report
