Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey football team dropped a 34-7 decision to Frostburg State University on Saturday afternoon in Lions Stadium.
 
The Lions fell to 0-6 overall and 0-5 in New Jersey Athletic Conference play. The Bobcats kept pace in the league standings, raising their record to 5-1 overall and 4-1 in the NJAC. They are currently tied for first place.
 
TCNJ generated a season-high 254 yards of total offense in the game and matched Frostburg State with 18 first downs in the contest. But four turnovers – two intercepted passes and two lost fumbles – were costly to the Lions, who will continue their search for their first win of 2016 next week at Montclair State University.
 
Junior quarterback Trevor Osler (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) connected with senior Jeff Mattonelli (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) in the back left corner of the end zone for the lone touchdown of the day for the Lions. Osler completed 15 passes for 158 yards through the air.
 
The Bobcats received a terrific performance from running back Jamaal Morant. He rushed for 188 yards on 17 carries, including a five-yard rushing score. FSU quarterback Connor Cox threw for 182 yards and three scoring strikes to lead the offense. Wideout Russell Neverdon had two catches on the day, both in the end zone. He registered touchdown receptions of 40 and 13 yards.
 
Three TCNJ turnovers led to 24 first-half points for Frostburg State. Morant opened the scoring with a five-yard rumble and Cox connected on a pair of TD passes in the second quarter. Kicker Isaac Robinson belted a 31-yard field goal to give the Bobcats a 24-0 lead at the intermission.
 
Robinson split the uprights from 36 yards out early in the third quarter. Scoring remained idle through the remainder of the third period, but it was not without action. Frostburg blocked a field goal attempt by the Lions and recovered the ball on five-yard line. On the next play from scrimmage, Morant broke loose on a running play that was destined to be a 95-yard touchdown run. But TCNJ linebacker Anthony Gambone (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) sprinted the length of the field and finally caught up with Morant and brought him down at the TCNJ two-yard line. The tremendous effort was rewarded as the defense held Frostburg to a field goal attempt that was pushed wide left.
 
Osler hit Mattonelli with 13:13 remaining in the game, but the Bobcats answered back just over two minutes later. Cox hit Neverdon with a 13-yard pass in the end zone to cap the scoring.
 
Gambone finished with a game-high nine tackles. Senior Abdelrahman Ragab (Edison, NJ/Edison) recorded 2.5 tackles for a loss of 11 yards and also registered a sack for a 10-yard loss. Senior defensive back Drew Dickison (Tewsbury, NJ/North Hunterdon) had a solid day in the secondary. He was credited with two pass break-ups and also intercepted a pass and gained 17 yards on the return.
 
 Junior Shane Kelley (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) racked up six tackles, while freshman Sam Jackson (Linwood, NJ/Mainland Regional) and senior Erik Wehner (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) finished with five takedown each.
 
Mattonelli and junior Chase Vena (Tabernacle, NJ/Senaca) caught four passes in the game, and junior Thomas Koenig (Bayville, NJ/Central Regional) finished with three receptions.
 
The Lions visit Montclair State University next Saturday at 3 p.m. They return to Lions Stadium on Saturday, October 29 when the host William Paterson University at 2 p.m. on Homecoming Day.