Purple Raiders reach 23rd straight semi

Cox’s 4 TD passes not enough for Bobcats

Frostburg State junior quarterback Connor Cox threw touchdowns passes to four receivers, but the Bobcats’ historic season ended with a 70-37 loss at Mount Union in the NCAA Division III quarterfinals Saturday in Alliance, Ohio.

Frostburg ended its season with a school record 11 wins (11-2) after advancing to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time since the tournament included 32 teams.

The Bobcats defeated Wittenberg and Washington & Jefferson in the first two rounds to win two games in the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history.

Mount Union will face Wisconsin -Oshkosh in the semifinals Saturday. The Purple Raiders are making their 23rd straight NCAA semifinals appearance and are trying for their 13th national championship.

Cox (South River) threw touchdown passes to senior Joe Beckford, juniors Sergio Andino and Christian DiPaola and sophomore Malik Morris (Dunbar). He finished 15 of 36 with 236 passing yards.

Cox’s four touchdown passes gave him the Frostburg single-season (29) and career (58) touchdown records.

Frostburg’s first touchdown came in a flurry late in the second quarter. Cox found DiPaola for a two-yard score that narrowed the Bobcat deficit to 28-10.

With 1:03 to play in the second quarter, Cox found Morris for a 20-yard score. Cox capped the first half with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Andino that narrowed the halftime deficit to 49-25.

Frostburg and Mount Union combined to score six touchdowns in the final 3:55 of the second quarter.

The Purple Raiders (13-0) added two touchdowns in the third quarter.

Andino finished with five receptions for 105 yards, while Beckford caught eight passes for 96 yards.

Mount Union quarterback Luke Poorman threw six touchdown passes on just 12 completions for 355 yards. Justin Hill caught six of those passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns.