WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - The West Liberty University football team battled it out with Frostburg State in the season finale this afternoon at West Family Athletic Complex. A couple costly turnovers by the Hilltoppers sent the Bobcats home victorious with a 28-23 result.

Both teams started the game with touchdown drives. First was Frostburg State going right down the field two and a half minutes into the game for the opening score.

West Liberty took a little bit more time, but on the 10th play punched it in to tie the game off a direct snap to Quincy Wimbish Jr.

The scoring spree to start the game continued into the second drive for each side, however this time the Hilltoppers were held to just three after the Bobcats found the endzone for their second touchdown off a 10-play, 65-yard drive that featured seven runs.

West Liberty took its second drive into the start of the second quarter and got as deep as the Frostburg State 12-yard line but no further. Justin Kaplan split the uprights from 31 yards out to make it a four-point game (14-10).

The offenses were held scoreless the rest of the first half, but the Bobcats were still able to get on the scoreboard with a strip sack and score on a third down deep in the Hilltoppers' own end extending their lead to 21-10 near the two-minute mark in the second quarter.

Just before that possession the 'Topper defense stepped up with a big-time three-and-out after a blocked punt set Frostburg State in Hilltopper territory. The Bobcat punter pinned West Liberty inside the five and they could not get out of it before the fumble.

Each side came out of the halftime break and found the endzone just like the opening half. West Liberty got the ball first and turned in seven points to bring the game back within four, at 21-17. Rudy Garcia found Rashawn Harvey for the 26-yard score six plays into the half.

Frostburg State took up nearly seven minutes on its opening drive of the second half and found the endzone to extend its lead once more. The Hilltoppers answered with a methodical march of their own, milking nearly six minutes off the clock as they entered the red zone and more. The offense stayed on the field for a 4th-and-3 at the Bobcat 10-yard line, but Wimbish was held up for no gain and Frostburg State took over on downs.

Zach Dixon rocked the quarterback on third down to force a Bobcat punt out of their own endzone the next drive.

Starting at the Frostburg 30-yard line, West Liberty made it a one-possession game five plays later on a Garcia seven-yard keeper. Vying to make it a three-point game, the Hilltoppers went for two but could not convert, keeping it a five-point deficit.

The Black and Gold made a stop on third down with 2:21 left to get the ball back with a chance to take the lead.

West Liberty got the first pass completed to near midfield, but the ball was knocked loose from Garcia on the next play and pounced on by the Bobcats to end the Hilltopper hopes.

Garcia ended the game 14-for-36 for 166 yards with a passing and rushing touchdown, while also committing three turnovers. Wimbish totaled 91 yards on 25 carries and found the endzone once. T.J. Griffin led the receiving core with eight catches for 78 yards.

Dixon had two tackles for loss including the hard-hitting sack. Mikey Agasiva recorded the lone other sack for the Black and Gold. Chris Wilson paced the tackling efforts with seven, while Sam Cirksena had six solos.

West Liberty ends the season with a 4-7 overall record and 3-7 mark in Mountain East Conference play.

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Postgame Interview

Head Coach Roger Waialae