MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Millersville rallied from an early 21-0 deficit, but could never quite completed the chase, falling 42-34 in a wild season opener that included a nearly two-hour weather delay to start the second quarter. 

Three first quarter turnovers by Millersville contributed to Frostburg State's early advantage. The Marauders' fourth turnover, a fumble recovered in the end zone by Lance Blankenship with 2:45 to play, proved to be the decisive moment in the seesaw second half. Millersville scored its most points in a season opener since 2014, totaling 363 yards of offense and picking up 24 first downs, but finished with a minus-three turnover ratio and could not get the timely score or stop when they most needed it.

"After one quarter of play, we came together as a group and said that we created our own deficit with the mistakes and turnovers," said Millersville head coach J.C. Morgan. "We created our own uphill battle. The message was, 'Look, if we clean it up, we'll be right back in the ball game.' I've been seeing the character in these guys all along. Unfortunately, we didn't come out with the victory. No one is more disappointed with the outcome than me, but no one is more excited about the possibility of what can be than me. I believe in these guys, and I'm excited to see how we bounce back."

Millersville certainly put quite a scare into a team that beat perennial PSAC East contender Shepherd 41-27 a week ago. After the slow start, the Marauders outscored the Bobcats 34-21, even counting the late defensive score. Quarterback Ryan Zeltt passed for 261 yards and two scores. Colin Hastings totaled a career-high five catches for 88 yards. Kam Taylor and Isaac Sines caught the touchdown passes. Mekhi Ashby, making his collegiate debut, rushed for a touchdown, as did Jose Lopez, and Millersville's four running backs combined for 115 yards on 35 carries. 

Millersville's first six series included three punts, two interceptions, and a lost fumble, but it began its charge after Frostburg State scored out of the lengthy lightning delay, taking a 21-0 lead. A 36-yard completion from Zeltt to Hastings and a 28-yard connection to Taylor got the Marauders rolling. Ashby capped the 70-yard drive with a dive from the 2. The Marauders, renewed by the delay, scored on six of their final nine drives.

"We created this situation in a scrimmage during camp," said Morgan. "We kept our eye on the weather all week. We told the team that this could probably happen. We said we'd keep playing and battling as long as it would take. They kept positive, stayed encouraged, and you saw a change when they came out of the locker room."

Millersville pulled to within 28-21 early in the third quarter on Zeltt's 35-yard strike to Sines. Millersville then caught a break when Frostburg State mishandled a shotgun snap, and Max Hostetter pounced on the fumble at the FSU 13. Millersville, however, had to settle for a Trent McDowell field goal, pulling to within 28-24. The Marauders' D forced a punt, but Millersville's drive stalled at their own 47, and coming up empty proved costly. The Bobcats' Amirr Coles caught a pass across the middle, turned upfield and raced 40 yards into Millersville territory. Owen Doyle then turned the corner on an outside run for a 35-yard touchdown scamper. 
 
Another McDowell field goal with 7:31 to play pulled the Marauders back to within one score, and the 'Ville defense forced a punt to give Millersville a chance to tie the game with 4:15 to play. Millersville's last best chance went only in reverse. An offensive pass interference penalty negated a first-down gain, and that was followed immediately by a sack. On third and 30, Zeltt lost the ball as he was hit at the goal line, and Blankenship landed on the loose ball deep in the end zone. 

The Marauders still managed to make the final minutes interesting, driving for another touchdown with 1:36 to play. The Bobcats' run game began to wear down the Millersville defense, and on fourth-and-inches from the Millersville 36, Doyle put the Bobcats' win away with a tough run for two yards. Doyle finished with 80 yards on 17 carries. Frostburg State's Cruiz Paul-Umstead led all players with 114 yards receiving. 
 
"The biggest thing is the character and ability to bounce back," said Morgan. "We created some explosive plays, got some stops on defense. When they answered, we answered. There are a lot of guys playing for the first time, and we can build from that. There's a lot we can build on from tonight. This group is different than what the campus has seen in a while. I'm excited to see what tomorrow and next week holds."

GAME NOTES

• Frostburg State scored a defensive touchdown and threw four touchdown passes without an interception in each of the first two games. The Bobcats are also 2-0 for the fifth consecutive season. 
• Millersville's 34 points were its most in a game since Oct. 1, 2022. 
• Bryce Beutler led Millersville with 12 tackles. Christopher Pierce recorded a career-high eight stops and added two QB hurries. Beutler and Hostetter both recorded sacks. 
• Three Marauders made their first career catch, three players made their first career carry, and three made their first career tackle. 

UP NEXT

• Millersville is back at Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium on Sept. 13 against Glenville State.