Matt Live From......Chattanooga

Thursday

8:00pm: Welcome to our coverage of the Appalachian State Mountaineers as they continue on their quest for 3 national titles. I am live in Chattanooga tonight and will attempt to keep you updated as much as possible. Due to conflicts with time, we were unable to get to the press conferences today. Anyway, I hope you enjoy our Countdown to Chattanooga!

Friday

8:00am: Greetings from a beautiful morning in Chattanooga! I am here ready to keep you updated on the sights and sounds of the National Championship game. I will be around the stadium most of the day, and in the rest of time enjoying the sights. The only news from App State is that Justin Woazeah has been suspended for the game along with backup linebacker Chris Johnson. For those in Chattanooga, be sure to check out the Chattanooga Times Free Press. We will keep you updated as much as possible. Enjoy!

4:30pm: It's a beautiful day for football! App has taken the town , because everywhere you go there is App fans. It's a great atmosphere down here. Teams have been tailgating for quite a while and we will keep you updated with sights and sounds from the game! Go Apps!

5:30pm: Over two hours before kickoff, and people are streaming to the stadium. The sun is begining to set. Outside the stadium, Coca-Cola has some games set up and at 6:30 the Delaware band will march into the First Tennessee Pavillion. At 6:45, it's the Marching Mountaineers turn. Due to NCAA regulations (just like last week), this may be my last post until after the game. However, Jamie will be taking over anytime now. You never know, I may even sneak in one more post! Enjoy the game! Go App!

1:00AM: 3 TIME NATIONAL CHAMPS!!! The Appalachian State Mountaineers have captured their third stright title. The game was awesome if you were a Mountaineer fan. I will try and have more photos up from the action as soon as possible, but I have over 800 photos to wade through. I was even in the middle of the crowd storming the field trying to get you the best shots. The Avery Journal Times will have full coverage of the contest, including the print edition, which is slated to have a bunch of stuff in it. The atmosphere was great tonight! Finley Stadium was rocking. The AP story that will appear in papers across the country called it "The Black and Gold Big House." There was some very creative signs. Thank you fans! We will have a special From the Student Section, which should be posted by Tuesday with odd and ends from the game! Once again, Congrats to the 2007 National Champions Appalachian State!

Monday

10:30am: What a weekend! I thought I would put some more pictures on here to enjoy. We are working on a way to set up a photo gallery, but have not got that far just yet. I hope you enjoyed our Countdown to Chattanooga and coverage of the App's historic 3-peat.

(All photos are property of Matt Laws. No photo may be reproduced, retransmitted, or rebroadcast without written consent of the publisher.)

Delaware/ASU 4th Quarter

Delaware's defense gets a stop as the third period begins, forcing App to punt the ball back away to UD. Two penalties... an illegal block in the back, as well as a dead ball personal foul against the Blue Hens, pushes Delaware back from the UD 36 to the UD 6.
On a side note: a sign in the ASU stands reads: WE WANT THE PATRIOTS. Comical.

10:56 PM -- Delaware is not giving in. They've moved the football from their own 6 yard line to the App 24. ASU has forced a fourth down play at the 20 and the Blue Hens have taken a time out. Perhaps the play of the game for the Hens coming up.

Flacco gets the first down running the football to set up a first down near the ASU 10, but the Mountaineers step up defensively, forcing an incomplete pass on fourth down to take the football over on downs.

ASU drives down for another score. Josh Johnson has a catch for a first down on the drive, with Kevin Richardson capping the drive, and perhaps capping a brilliant career in Boone, with a six-yard TD run. 42-14 with 6 minutes remaining.

The Blue Hens come back out on offense and moves on the App prevent defense to near midfield. Delaware can move no further, however, as the defense holds on a long fourth down pass play to take back possession of the ball.

On the first play of the ensuing drive, backup QB and senior Trey Elder takes a quarterback draw and breaks into the open for a 53 yard touchdown run to add the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae. No player deserved perhaps to get a score in this game than the loyal quarterback who has led by example throughout his career.

The Apps were flagged for a pair of unsportsmanlike penalties to kick off from their own 7. Mark Duncan returns the kick 75 yards for a score, then threw the ball at the huge crowd gathered in the back of the end zone, drawing a penalty. Appalachian 49, Delaware 14 with 3:29 remaining in the contest. Appalachian State fans are streaming en masse near the sidelines to rush the field in utter celebration.

IT'S OVER IN CHATTANOOGA!!!! APPalachian has 3-Peat-ed!! 49-21 FINAL SCORE

Delaware/ASU 3rd Quarter

Appalachian is held to a three-and-out to open the 2nd half. Delaware takes over possession on its own 16 yard line. ASu's defense allowed a first down, but forced the Fightin' Blue Hens to punt the ball back to the offense. 11:36 left in the third, 28-7 Mountaineers.

Appalachian State is back in the end zone again. A pass from Edwards to a WIDE OPEN Kevin Richardson for 15 yards pushes the Mountaineers to a 35-7 lead with 4:56 left in the third. A 14 play, 67 yard drive consumed 6:40 off the third quarter clock. The Black and Gold are inching ever closer to the three-peat and a riot in Boone!

Tonight's attendance is 23,010, a Finley Stadium record and largest ever in a championship game for a neutral field contest.

Delaware has taken the ensuing kickoff and driven 50 yards to the ASU 4 yard line after a Omar Cuff run, setting up a first and goal. Two plays later Cuff carries the pigskin across the goal line from a yard out. A Jerome Touchstone personal foul kept the drive alive as UD pieces together a 11 play, 62 yard drive. 35-14 Appalachian State, 0:54 left in the third period.

App takes the football as the third quarter expires. The Mountaineers lead 35-14. Fifteen minutes stand between ASU and history.





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Delaware/ASU 2nd Quarter

Appalachian looks to continue using the running game to dominate the line of scrimmage. A big cutback run by Edwards gains 37 yards to the Delaware 24. The Mountaineers move to the 11, but a loss on an end-around run forces a third and 15 from the UD 16. Armanti attempts a pass to the end zone, but a pass interference is called against the Blue Hens, giving ASU first and goal at the UD 2.

App has 211 yards of total offense already in the contest to UD's 146. Delaware's speed has done a good job of pushing the football ahead. Richardson runs from two yards out, fumbles near the goal line after being stripped by Julian James, only to have reserve tight end Daniel Kilgore wrestle it into his arms under the pile in the end zone. The Rauch PAT is good. App takes a commanding 21-0 lead with 10:22 left in the half.

A UD touchdown was called back due to an offensive pass interference call (a little questionable, but the call could have went either way). UD is back now at the ASU 40. 3rd and 20 for the Hens. A 39 yard TD pass from Flacco to Mark Duncan covers puts the Hens on the board with 1:10 remaining in the first half. The PAT by Striefsky is good, 21-7 Apps.

ASU wastes absolutely no time in answering the Blue Hens touchdown. A 60-yard pass from Edwards hits Dexter Jackson in stride. Two plays on the drive, 72 yards. 21 seconds. 28-7 App.
UD has the last possession of the half, moving into App territory. A final desparation heave by Flacco finds a receiver at the two yard line, but the pass is dropped, leaving the Mountaineers with a 28-7 halftime lead.

Halftime Stats:
ASU 166 rushing yards, 132 passing yards, 298 total
UD 63 rushing yards, 189 passing yards, 252 total

Individual stats
ASU:
Rushing:
Edwards 11 carries, 67 yards
Moore: 2 carries, 55 yards, TD
Richardson: 10 carries, 46 yards
Passing:
Edwards: 4-6 132 yards, 2 TD
Receiving:
Jackson: 1 reception, 60 yards, TD
CoCo Hillary: 1 reception, 41 yards

Delaware:
Rushing:
Omar Cuff: 13 carries, 54 yards
Kervin Michaud: 2 carries, 20 yards
Passing:
Joe Flacco: 13-23, 188 yards, 1 TD
Receiving:
Mark Duncan: 5 receptions, 62 yards, TD
Aaron Love: 3 receptions 67 yards

We'll be back for some 2nd half blogging...after a short break and a cold cola.

Delaware/ASU 1st Qtr.

Delaware wins the toss, elects to receive...kick is up and away...

Delaware gets first possession and goes three and out. App starts with field position around its own 40 and has driven to the Delaware 20 yard line.

Screen pass from Edwards to Richardson to cap a 6 play drive. Great block by Kerry Brown to help pave the way. Richardson breaks a tackle and finds the pylon for the game's first score...apparently. The play will be under review. If held up it will be Richardson's 33rd reception of the year and his fourth receiving score. Play is upheld... touchdown APPS!

PAT By Rauch is good! ASU 7, Delaware 0 with 10:47 left in the qtr.

8:18 PM

Delaware is attempting to answer on the ensuing drive. The Blue Hens have marched to the ASU 27 with less than 8:30 left in the period. A pass play from Joe Flacco to Aaron Love moves UD to the ASU 9 for a first and goal situation.

Cuff apparently scored from 4 yards out, but the play was reversed when replay showed Cuff's elbow touched on the half yard line. A run by Cuff on third down was stuffed, and a fourth down gamble failed as Flacco threw an incompletion intended for tight end Josh Baker, turning the football over on downs back to the Apps.

8:41
The Mountaineers take the football over at their own 1 yard line with just over 5 minutes left in the quarter. Three runs by Richardson and a run by Edwards, with the help of a personal foul facemask penalty moved App past midfield.

Devin Moore races 46 yards down the middle of the field for a touchdown! A 5 play, 99 yard drive consumes 1:26 off the clock. a championship game-record drive. PAT good by Rauch, 14-0 Mountaineers!

ASU has shown it can run at will on Delaware in the early going, but the question is can they stop the Delaware offense?

Flacco has just cleared the 4,000 yard passing plateau on this drive as the Blue Hens have crossed midfield on its next offensive series. A long run by Cuff moves UD near the ASU 20. Another third down situation at the ASU 15, but a screen pass to Michaud is sniffed by the App secondary, losing 3 yards. A 35-yard field goal attempt misses wide. Mountaineers hold, 14-0 ASU football at its own 20. A 9-yard run by Moore closes out the quarter. App leads by two scores!






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7:30 PM

Matt provides this photo of a sign taken in the First Tennessee Pavilion earlier this evening. It's always great when the Chancellor gets some press.

NCAA FCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP - DELAWARE VS. APPALACHIAN STATE

6:00 PM

And.... we are LIVE from the Press Box at Finley Stadium/Davenport Field in beautiful Chattanooga, Tennessee for tonight's FCS title game between the Delaware Blue Hens and the ASU Mountaineers!

A few words of thanks, etc. as we prepare for tonight's contest:

First of all, kudos to Matt for all his work in prepping for tonight's game. The atmosphere is electric, and Matt has been sampling quite a bit of the sights and sounds of Chattanooga and the game. He'll be providing photos which we'll try to be posting as the game progresses, something you will get in very few locations.

Secondly, a word of thanks to all the AJ-T readers who have expressed their words of appreciation and positive comments about both the print edition and the blog. We strive to bring the most comprehensive coverage of sports from numerous locations, levels, and angles, and hope that we properly represent both the values and citizens of our local area.

One other thing: Should Appalachian pull off the three-peat tonight, we'll have photos and follow-ups in next week's print editon of the AJ-T as well as right here.

A few notes of interest and observations leading up to tonight:

-Four-year starter at cornerback Justin Woazeah will not be playing in tonight's contest due to the violation of a team rule. The senior will be missed tonight, as he is tied for the most career passes defended (51) in NCAA FCS history. Sophomore Cortez Gilbert will likely fill in for the Apps.

Quotables:

"I've played several different positions from high school to hear and I've just always played that way. Everybody loves to hit the quarterback too so you deliver the blow before they get a chance to." - Armanti Edwards, when asked about looking for contact as he finishes runs.

"Beating Michigan was great for us and the Appalachian family, but it was only one game. Our first goal is to win the Southern Conference and then win the National Championship."
-ASU defensive back Pierre Banks, when asked if it bothers him that the average fan will remember him more for Michigan than for National Championships, even if they win tonight.

"I don't think you can pick one. You have to have a defense that is sound and solid against Delaware. Not the quarterback, not the running back.. you have to defend what they do. You ahve to defend Delaware, not just the quarterback or running back. You work on situations, first and 10, third and short, third and long, try to create as many situations as you can...work on defending Delaware." - ASU head coach Jerry Moore, on defending Delaware's individual offensive weapons.






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From The Student Section...Countdown to Chattanooga Edition

The Appalachian State Mountaineers are heading back to Chattanooga, so isn't it fitting we focus on Appy and their opponent Delaware.

• What a crowd at "The Rock" on Friday Night! It was packed and set a record for the playoffs/non-championship game. Even the students were involved, and there was many creative signs. My favorite has to be the Spidey Pig (from "The Simpsons: The Movie). Hopefully, the Mountaineer faithful will make their presence felt in Chattanooga (and I say they will make Finley Stadium "The Rock #2")
• The crowd was so impressive, even Coach Jerry Moore and other Mountaineer coaches took notice. "I just turned and looked and everybody was still there,” Moore said, recalling he had never done that in his time in Boone. “It was an awesome thing.” Moore even said his coaches in the booth were amazed at the people in line for Chattanooga tickets, before the game even ended.
• Even the officials were impressed with "The Rock." At the press conference, Coach Moore stated the following: “One of the officials on the sideline, they’re from the Southland Conference and they had worked some Big 12 games, said, ‘Coach, I’ve worked the Texas-Ohio State game and I’ve got to tell you something. This is the best college-football game I’ve ever been involved in.’ He said, ‘The atmosphere here is awesome. This is real college football.’“He said, ‘You all need a bigger stadium.’ I told him we’re fixing to get one. That’s a great compliment.... I think it speaks volumes about our fans.”
• The Appalachian State Seniors will finish a staggering 29-1 at home in their four seasons at "The Rock." Their lone lost was to Georgia Southern earlier this season.
• The numbers are pointing that the National title game will be a shootout. The two teams have scored over 35 points nine times combined this year. App is averaging 42.3 points per game, while Delaware is right behind them averaging 37.3 points per game.
• Armanti Edwards impressed everyone who saw him play on Friday night. His numbers speak for themselves: 313 yards, 4 rushing touchdowns, 14 of 16 passing 182 yards and 3 additonal touchdowns. Total: 495 offensive yards responsible for; 7 total touchdowns. "No. 14. He's the best we've seen this year. I think we have some pretty good athletes on defense but he makes plays in space that nobody has on us this year," Richmond Coach Dave Clawson said of Edwards. "I wouldn't want to change places with the defensive coordinators in the Southern Conference the next two years."
• Delaware has some big time play makers. They are led by quarterback Joe Flacco who has 3,939 yards and 22 touchdowns. Tailback Omar Cuff has amassed 1,861 yards rushing for 34 TDs, and he has also caught 52 passes for 4 touchdowns.
• The Delaware defense has held seven teams to under 17 points.
• Everyone knows Appalachian Stata beat Michigan, but Delaware also has an upset under its belt. The Fighting Blue Hens defeated the Navy Midshipmen 59-52 in Annapolis, Maryland.
• Delaware's most famous grad to play in the NFL. Former Oakland Raider quarterback Rich Gannon.
• Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. and will be telvised nationally on ESPN2. The game is sold out.
• For the first time in this blog's history, From the Student Section is actually coming from a college campus! I am at ETSU and this probably will not be the last post from the Culp Computer lab!

I look forward to seeing everyone in Chattanooga. The Avery Journal-Times will be there for full coverage of the contest. We will have our preview of the contest up by Thursday evening. The pre-game blog will also start on Thursday evening. As was the case last week, Jamie will take over around kickoff to handle the actual gameday blog, and we will have a full recap up sometime after the game. Enjoy the game!!

Countdown to Chattanooga- Monday

It's Monday of Championship Week. I found this and thought I would share this video from the ASU Football Film Crew:

Keep checking the Avery Journal-Times Sports Blog for more of our Countdown to Chattanooga!

COUNTDOWN TO CHATTANOOGA...KICKOFF

The Appalachian State Mountaineers have advanced to the National Championship. The Avery Journal-Times will have you covered leading up to the big game. Here are some of the things you can look for:

• Live onsite coverage from Finley Stadium.
• Full game coverage from Chattanooga
• Previews of the contest
• Game Notes
• Helpful Information about Chattanooga
• Blogs of Avery Journal Times' Staff along the way to Chattanooga and from around the Rock City
• A special From the Student Section

This will be updated throughout the week to keep you updated. Congrats to the Apps!!!