Senior Keith Smith blocked an extra point in the second overtime and senior Ben Sasu and sophomore Isaac Robinson combined for the game-winning touchdown and extra point to hand Frostburg State a thrilling 38-37 double overtime upset of Ithaca, still ranked in the AFCA Top 25, Saturday on Homecoming.
Frostburg erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to send the game to overtime and snap a four-game losing skid. The Bobcats (3-4, 1-4 E8) were outgained in total yards (325-241) and time of possession (32:47-27:13), but it didn't matter because FSU made key plays when it mattered the most.
"This win gives our players something to believe in and lets them know that what our coaching staff is teaching works," said Fitzgerald. "I expect to build off of this win and continue to get better each week."
The first big play of the afternoon came on Ithaca's opening series when junior Salaman Riddell jarred the ball loose from Ben Cary and freshman Niles Scott picked it up and rumbled 30 yards for the touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
Late the in the second quarter, Frostburg used another big play, this time on offense to tie the ballgame at 14-14 at intermission. Senior quarterback Ken Emmons scampered for 17 yards into Ithaca territory on third and six and six plays later, he connected with junior wideout Myles Burgess for a 19-yard touchdown with 37 seconds left in the half.
The Bombers (4-2, 3-2 E8) kicked a 28-yard field goal in the third quarter and Tristan Brown scored from a yard out to open the fourth quarter as Ithaca built its lead to 10, 24-14.
Frostburg began its comeback on its first possession of the fourth quarter. Emmons found Sasu for a 42 yard pass down the home sideline that led to a 28 yard field goal from Robinson that cut the Ithaca lead to 24-17.
After holding the Bombers to a three and out, that included a nine yard sack on third down from Scott, Frostburg collected the longest drive of the afternoon by either team and tied the contest at 24-24. FSU started the march at its own seven and on third and 10, Emmons found sophomore Austin Bonsall for 82 yards to the Ithaca 11. The duo hooked up again several plays later, when on third and 19, Emmons floated a pass to the corner of the end zone for Bonsall for a 20 yard score.
Vito Boffoli hauled in a four yard scoring pass for Ithaca to open the second overtime session, however, Frostburg seized the momentum for good as Smith blocked the extra point attempt that set Frostburg up for the win.
Sasu ran twice in the second overtime, first for 13 yards on first down and his second attempt measured just one yard but handed the Bobcats six points and tied the game at 37-37. Robinson calmly knocked home the extra point for the win.
FSU entered the game ranked fifth in Division III in blocked kicks, so it came as no surprise to Fitzgerald that his team was due for one at the most crucial time.
"We spend more time on special teams and blocking kicks than anyone in the country. Today it paid off at the end of the game. There were a lot of good plays made today by both teams, our team just made one more play at the end of the game."
Emmons completed 15-of-25 passes for a season-high 241 yards and two touchdowns, while Sasu finished with 28 yards rushing and two more scores. Bonsall hauled in 114 yards and the game-tying touchdown late in the fourth.
"Obviously our players and coaching staff are excited about the victory, but our staff is most proud of the fact that our players competed on every single play of the game and that's what intercollegiate athletics is all about."
Tom Dempsey led Ithaca with 325 yards passing (31-of-43) and four touchdowns, while Brown ran for 91 yards on 25 carries.
The Bobcat defense limited the Bombers to just 57 rushing yards on 34 carries and sacked Dempsey five times. Scott finished with five total tackles, three for loss, two sacks, including the first quarter fumble recovery for a touchdown. Sophomore J.R. Lowery posted 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and five stops. Ridell added 12 tackles, 11 solo, one tackle for loss and two forced fumbles.
Notes: Frostburg has now won a pair of overtime games on Homecoming in the last four years … The Bobcats defeated Alfred 54-53 (2 OT) in 2011 … Frostburg has blocked a kick in five-straight games … Frostburg's last win over a ranked opponent came in 2002 against then 14th-ranked Salisbury at the Fourth Annual Regents Cup Game at Towson University.