FROSTBURG, Md.--Frostburg State (2-2/1-2) stopped a two-point conversion attempt with 1:18 remaining, to hold on for a 27-26 victory over visiting Buffalo State (1-3/0-2) today in an Atlantic Central Football Conference game at Bobcat Stadium.

Frostburg had the lone score of the opening quarter with a 25-yard field goal by Mark Sedlock. Buffalo State responded with a six-yard touchdown run by James Perkins on the first play of the second quarter, capping a nine-play, 92-yard drive, giving the Bengals a 7-3 lead.

Frostburg regained the lead just 2:28 later, when Ryan Cutsail returned a blocked punt 23 yards for a touchdown. The Bobcats extended their lead to 17-7 on their next possession, when Shanorm Young plowed in from three yards out.

Buffalo State answered again on its very next possession, as Jeff Shostak reeled in a 35-yard touchdown pass from Mike Mikolaichik, completing a five-play, 72-yard drive that used just 2:04. The Bengals missed the extra point, making the score 17-13. Buffalo State assembled another long drive, just before halftime to claim a 20-17 lead at the intermission. Jonathan Allen caught a 10-yard scoring pass from Mikolaichik to complete a seven-play, 70-yard drive.

Sedlock hit a 28-yard field goal to even the score at 20-20 on the Bobcats opening possession of the second half. The Bobcats capitalized on a Buffalo State turnover later in the third quarter, converting a short field into a go-ahead score. Mike Perlozzo scored on a 13-yard run, wrapping up a three-play, 35-yard drive. Sedlock’s extra point gave Frostburg a 27-20 lead.

Buffalo State registered the only score of the fourth quarter, driving 74 yards on 13 plays, capped by Perkins’ second rushing touchdown of the day, this time from 15 yards. Buffalo State elected to attempt a two-point conversion, but Mikolaichik pass sailed just out of reach for tight end Tom Cocker.

Buffalo State kept its chances alive when it recovered the ensuing on-side kick. The Bengals moved the ball into Frostburg territory, but were unable to convert on a fourth and one, turning the ball over on downs.

“I thought we made the right call to go for the win,” said Bengals’ Head Coach Paul Shaffner on the decision to try for the two-point conversion. “It is a play that we have run well in practice, but we just could not execute it today. Out kids played hard, but we just could not finish today.”

Buffalo State gained 418 yards of total offense, compared to 319 by Frostburg. The Bengals had three turnovers, while Frostburg turned the ball over twice.

Young led the Bobcats with 112 yards on 23 carries with a touchdown. Quarterback Jimmy Ward was 14 of 30 for 170 yards with two interceptions. Fred Howze had five catches for 67 yards, and TJ Changuris caught five passes for 60 yards. Najier Frazer anchored the Frostburg defense with 15 tackles, and Lathon Romaine made two interceptions.

Perkins led the Bengals’ offense with a career-high 166 yards on 32 carries with the two touchdowns. Mikolaichik was 20 of 34 for 256 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Shostak was the Bengals’ leading receiver with nine catches for 118 yards and a score. Hank Pirowski was the leading tackler with eight stops. Michael Haynes had his conference-leading fifth interception of the year, and Brendan Thompson also had a pick.

Buffalo State will be off next Saturday, before traveling to Salisbury for another ACFC match-up on October 15.