ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University football team was defeated by Frostburg State, 42-23, Saturday afternoon in a Mountain East Conference game at Callaghan Stadium.
The Mountain Lions (1-2, 1-2 MEC) were unable to overcome a 28-6 first-quarter deficit, despite outscoring FSU (4-0, 3-0 MEC) 17-14 over the final three quarters of the contest.
The early scoring for Frostburg State included a defensive touchdown on CU's first series as well as two touchdown receptions to Lincoln Ikwubuo.
Concord cut into a 21-0 deficit with 1:09 left in the first quarter as junior wide receiver
Kris Copeland punched in a five-yard touchdown to cap a five-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Copeland's rushing score was setup by back-to-back 30-yard completions by junior quarterback
Jack Mangel.
The CU touchdown came right before a second Ikwubuo touchdown on the final play of the first quarter.
The Bobcats got a second first-half defensive touchdown before fifth-year senior wide receiver
Tywan Pearce scored the first of his touchdowns on the day. The four-yard pass from Mangel came with 27 seconds remaining in the first half as Concord trailed, 35-13.
Down 42-13, the Mountain Lions marched 80 yards in just five plays to begin the fourth quarter as Pearce had a catch-and-run of 46 yards to find the end zone for the second time with 13:39 left in the contest.
On the ensuing kickoff, senior defensive
Davon Williams recovered an onside kick, but a post-play penalty set CU back to the 30-yard line. After a 13-play drive stalled out at the 10-yard line, sophomore kicker
Giovanni Christiano connected on a 26-yard field goal with 7:19 left in the contest.
However, Frostburg State drained the remainder of the clock for a 19-point win.
Mangel finished the afternoon 33-for-45 with 351 yards and two touchdowns along with an interception. Pearce (14 catches for 189 yards) and sophomore wide receiver
Jarod Bowie (seven catches for 104 yards) combined for 293 of the yards for Mangel.
The Mountain Lions were led by senior defensive back
Rashon Lusane on defense as he racked up nine tackles and two tackles for loss. Fellow senior defensive back
Marcellus Saint added eight tackles and his first interceptions of the season.
Pearce went over 2,000 career receiving yards in his career, becoming the sixth player in program history to reach the milestone. The North Kissimmee, Florida native also set career highs in both receptions and receiving yards Saturday.
Concord visits Fairmont State 2:00 p.m. October 2.
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