WHEELING, W.Va. (Oct. 26) – The Cardinals allowed 21-unanswered points in the final seven minutes of their 42-12 loss to Frostburg State on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Bishop Schmitt Field in a Mountain East Conference (MEC) game.
 
Wheeling University drops to 0-8 overall, 0-7 in the MEC. Meanwhile, the Bobcats improve to 7-1 in league play, 7-1 overall. Frostburg State is in its first year of transitioning from Division III and is not eligible for postseason play this season.
 
Sophomore running back Sy Alli IV (Pittsburgh, Pa./Obama Academy) rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. Classmate Cam'Ron McClain (Twinsburg, Ohio/Twinsburg) posted 55 yards on 14 touches with a touchdown. Wheeling as a team finished with over 100 yards rushing for the first time this season.
 
Sophomore quarterback Tucker Strachan (Kensington, Md./Bullis) was 16-of-40 for 156 yards with four interceptions in the loss. Sophomore wide receiver Ryan LaFollette (Woodsfield, Ohio/Monroe Central) was the top target with eight catches for 83 yards.
 
After a Wheeling punt on the first possession, Frostburg State got the ball and drove to the Cardinal 26-yard line. Bobcat quarterback Will Brunson went for the end zone, but under-threw his target and was intercepted by freshman Josiah Wright (Loganville, Ga./Loganville) on the one-yard line to halt the drive.
 
Both teams traded punts and a 33-yard return by sophomore Aaron Finch (Atlanta, Ga./Langston Hughes) helped flip the field and setup the Cardinals in Frostburg State territory. After a nine-yard rush, Alli broke through for a 34-yard touchdown run to give Wheeling a 6-0 lead with 6:10 to play in the first quarter (PAT no good).
 
Frostburg State was driving again and entered the red zone. The Cardinal defense came up with their second takeaway of the first quarter when sophomore Max Baker (Canton, Ohio/Massillon Perry) forced a fumble that was scooped up by Finch at the one-yard line to preserve the Wheeling lead.
 
The Cardinals got some breathing room on a 13-yard rush by McClain and a 10-yard reception by LaFollette. Strachan was intercepted on the next play on a crossing route that turned into a touchdown to make the score 7-6 in the final minute of the first half.
 
The next four possessions ended with punts. Wheeling controlled field position after a short punt set up the offense at the Frostburg State 33-yard line, but the field flipped when Strachan was intercepted. The Bobcats followed the pick with a seven-play, 73-yard drive that ended with a 22-yard touchdown pass that pushed their lead to 14-6 with 25 seconds to play until halftime.
 
Things went from bad to worse when the Cardinals fumbled the ensuing kickoff and gave the ball back to Frostburg State inside the 30-yard line. The Bobcats made Wheeling pay with a 28-yard touchdown pass with two seconds left until halftime that sent Frostburg State into the locker rooms with a sudden 21-6 lead.
 
The first five drives of the second half ended in punts and a 43-yard field goal attempt by the Bobcats that hit the upright. Wheeling took over possession and drove to the Frostburg one-yard line, before McClain punched the ball in from two yards out. The Cardinals went for two, but were unable to convert, leaving the score at 21-12 with 1:38 left in the third quarter.
 
Wheeling forced a three-and-out on the next possession, but a Strachan interception gave the ball back to Frostburg State near midfield.
 
The Cardinal defense gave the offense the ball right back on the next play. Frostburg State attempted a double-reverse with a toss back to the quarterback to pass. Wheeling's Wright wasn't fooled and got to the quarterback and ripped the ball out to setup the Cardinals at the Bobcat 27-yard line.
 
Wheeling was only able to generate four yards and failed to convert on fourth down.
 
Frostburg State took over and scored 21-unanswered points in the final seven minutes, including a late interception returned for a touchdown in the final 30 seconds of the contest to bring the score to 42-12.
 
Sophomore defensive end Brandon Munoz (Halethorpe, Md./Mount Saint Joseph) led the defense with 10 tackles (three solo). The defense finished with a season-high five tackles for loss, including 1.5 by both Wright and sophomore Myck Brown (Washington, Pa./Washington).
 
Frostburg State running back Gavin Lavat posted 123 yards on 27 carries, while quarterback Will Brunson finished 10-of-19 for 166 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
 
Wheeling will search for its first win next Saturday, November 2 when it travels to Glenville State for a MEC contest at 1 p.m.
 
GAME NOTES: The Bobcats scored 28 points directly off of turnovers … Frostburg State held a 370-to-309 advantage in total offense … Wheeling held Frostburg State to 2-of-11 on third down; the Cardinals were 4-of-14 on their attempts … sophomore punter Matthew Greenwood (St. Clairsville, Ohio/St. Clairsville) placed three of his six punts inside the 20-yard line, including one inside the five … Both teams were heavily penalized by the officials; Frostburg State committed six penalties for 66 yards, while Wheeling was flagged nine times for 111 yards.