The Appalachian State Mountaineers football team holds its home opener this afternoon against Jacksonville University. The Apps lost 41-13 at LSU one week ago and look to rebound against the Dolphins.It's throwback day at App as the team celebrates head coach Jerry Moore's 20th season as Mountaineer head coach by wearing uniforms from that 1989 season. We'll have continuous updates from the newly constructed temporary press box high above Kidd Brewer throughout the day, with possibly photos along the way.
3:30 PM - It's almost kickoff time at The Rock! A new video board, 4,400 new seats, a crowded house, and an overcast afternoon welcome the three-time defending NCAA FCS National Champion Mountaineers.
3:40 PM - ASU takes the opening kickoff and drives with its first possession to the JU 22 yard line, but an Edwards interception stalls the drive.
3:45 PM - JU's opening drive is halted inside App territory when Quavian Lewis and Dominique McDuffie stuff the running back on 4th and less than a yard, giving ASU possession for its second drive near midfield. App immediately capitalized on a 44 yard touchdown run by Robert Welton, his second score of the season. The successful PAT by Vitaris gives the Mountaineers a 7-0 lead with an even eight minutes to go in the first. Drive Summary: 3 plays, 52 yards, 0:56 for ASU's first home touchdown of 2008.
3:55 PM - Jacksonville is held to a three-and-out and App takes over around its own 30 yard line. A long draw run from Devon Moore moved the Mountaineers inside the red zone. Two plays later Moore finishes off the drive with an 11-yard scamper for the second score of the day. PAT makes the score 14-0 ASU with 4:42 to go in the opening stanza. Drive Summary: 4 plays, 67 yards, 1:16 on the second rushing TD of the quarter.
4:05 PM - UPDATE: Another three and out for the Dolphins who appear overmatched early. Appalachian takes over at the JU 35 and are back on the board again on a 28-yard QB draw from Armanti Edwards. PAT puts the Mountaineers up 21-0 with 2:58 left in the first quarter. Drive Summary: 2 plays, 35 yards, 0:43 as ASU wastes absolutely no time slashing through the Dolphin defense.
4:10 PM - First quarter closes with ASU leading 21-0. Jacksonville has gotten nothing going offensively as the App defense has been smothering JU quarterback Josh McGregor. A big hit by Tony Robertson knocked McGregor out of the game on the last possession as JU again had to punt the football away to App. The Mountaineers take over at the own 41.
1st Qtr stats:
ASU - 201 rushing yards, -1 passing yards
JU - 4 rushing yards, 32 passing yards
Armanti Edwards - 5 rushes, 64 yards, TD
Quavian Lewis - 5 tkls
DJ Smith - 4 tkls
4:25 PM - Appalachian back at it again. After a personal foul assessed against JU on a punt return, Appalachian drives only14 yards on three plays. A six yard TD pass from Edwards to Tavaris Washington with the PAT pushes the Mountaineer lead to 28-0. with 11:06 left in the half.
4:35 PM - DeAndre Pressley in the game at quarterback for the Mountaineers with 8:25 remaining in the first half and Appalachian leading 28-0. Seems a little early to pull Edwards, but it is good to see the freshman in the game for the Apps.
4:45 PM - The teams have been exchanging punts. No change in score as the Mountaineers lead by 28.
4:50 PM - Jacksonville attempts a field goal of around 37 yards, but the kick sails wide left, preserving the shutout with 1:12 left before halftime. ASU drives to the JU 38 where Jason Vitaris attempts a 55-yard field goal. The kick sails wide left and is no good as Appalachian holds a commanding 28-0 lead over Jacksonville at intermission.
HALFTIME STATISTICS:
Individual:
ASU Rushing: Devon Moore (9 rushes, 98 yards TD)
JU Rushing: Rudell Small (7 rushes 16 yards)
JU Passing: Josh McGregor (11 of 20, 133 yards)
Team:
ASU:
Passing Yards: 32 yards
Rushing Yards: 261 yards
Total Offense: 293 yards
JU:
Passing Yards: 136 yards
Rushing Yards: -3 yards
Total Yards: 133 yards
The Mountaineers open the second half with a touchdown as Edwards returns to the lineup to begin the first ASU drive. A six play, 61 yard drive over 2:15 culminated with a two yard touchdown run by Robert Welton, making the score 35-0 ASU.
5:32 PM - Jacksonville is finally on the scoreboard on a 60-yard punt return touchdown from Elliot Finkley, the first allowed by ASU since Jayson Foster ran one back for Georgia Southern against Appalachian in 2004. The PAT is successful to make the score 35-7 ASU at the 7:16 mark of the third period.
Talk about a quick answer! ASU immediately responds with a 72-yard touchdown run from Robert Welton on the first play from scrimmage following the JU score for his third rushing touchdown of the afternoon (the eighth time in the last 13 games that an App player has scored at least three rushing scores in a game). PAT good, ASU 42-7 (6:58 3rd)
5:40 PM -- Avery's own Josh Johnson has returned a total of three punts in the game. His second run went for 16 yards to set the Apps up at their own 46 yard line, with the team up big.
On a side note: The attendance this afternoon at The Rock -- 30,718 -- a new record.
5:50 PM -- Three quarters in the books -- 42-7 Appalachian.
6:05 PM -- Add a DEFENSIVE score to the tally for the Apps -- a 33-yard Interception return by Travis Dowda and PAT gives the Mountaineers a 49-7 lead with 9:44 left in the game. A number of substitutes are in the game and have been for a while.
ASU travels to James Madison in two weeks for a Saturday night special against the Dukes, who will be looking for revenge after last year's 28-27 playoff loss.
6:20 PM - Josh Jackson gets on the scoreboard for the Mountaineers after a 10 play 65 yard drive that took 3:16 with a three yard touchdown run. The score and PAT pushes the Apps over the half-century mark with a 56-7 lead, which provides for the final margin of victory.
ASU - 201 rushing yards, -1 passing yards
JU - 4 rushing yards, 32 passing yards
Armanti Edwards - 5 rushes, 64 yards, TD
Quavian Lewis - 5 tkls
DJ Smith - 4 tkls
4:25 PM - Appalachian back at it again. After a personal foul assessed against JU on a punt return, Appalachian drives only14 yards on three plays. A six yard TD pass from Edwards to Tavaris Washington with the PAT pushes the Mountaineer lead to 28-0. with 11:06 left in the half.
4:35 PM - DeAndre Pressley in the game at quarterback for the Mountaineers with 8:25 remaining in the first half and Appalachian leading 28-0. Seems a little early to pull Edwards, but it is good to see the freshman in the game for the Apps.
4:45 PM - The teams have been exchanging punts. No change in score as the Mountaineers lead by 28.
4:50 PM - Jacksonville attempts a field goal of around 37 yards, but the kick sails wide left, preserving the shutout with 1:12 left before halftime. ASU drives to the JU 38 where Jason Vitaris attempts a 55-yard field goal. The kick sails wide left and is no good as Appalachian holds a commanding 28-0 lead over Jacksonville at intermission.
HALFTIME STATISTICS:
Individual:
ASU Rushing: Devon Moore (9 rushes, 98 yards TD)
JU Rushing: Rudell Small (7 rushes 16 yards)
JU Passing: Josh McGregor (11 of 20, 133 yards)
Team:
ASU:
Passing Yards: 32 yards
Rushing Yards: 261 yards
Total Offense: 293 yards
JU:
Passing Yards: 136 yards
Rushing Yards: -3 yards
Total Yards: 133 yards
The Mountaineers open the second half with a touchdown as Edwards returns to the lineup to begin the first ASU drive. A six play, 61 yard drive over 2:15 culminated with a two yard touchdown run by Robert Welton, making the score 35-0 ASU.
5:32 PM - Jacksonville is finally on the scoreboard on a 60-yard punt return touchdown from Elliot Finkley, the first allowed by ASU since Jayson Foster ran one back for Georgia Southern against Appalachian in 2004. The PAT is successful to make the score 35-7 ASU at the 7:16 mark of the third period.Talk about a quick answer! ASU immediately responds with a 72-yard touchdown run from Robert Welton on the first play from scrimmage following the JU score for his third rushing touchdown of the afternoon (the eighth time in the last 13 games that an App player has scored at least three rushing scores in a game). PAT good, ASU 42-7 (6:58 3rd)
5:40 PM -- Avery's own Josh Johnson has returned a total of three punts in the game. His second run went for 16 yards to set the Apps up at their own 46 yard line, with the team up big.
On a side note: The attendance this afternoon at The Rock -- 30,718 -- a new record.
5:50 PM -- Three quarters in the books -- 42-7 Appalachian.
6:05 PM -- Add a DEFENSIVE score to the tally for the Apps -- a 33-yard Interception return by Travis Dowda and PAT gives the Mountaineers a 49-7 lead with 9:44 left in the game. A number of substitutes are in the game and have been for a while.
ASU travels to James Madison in two weeks for a Saturday night special against the Dukes, who will be looking for revenge after last year's 28-27 playoff loss.
6:20 PM - Josh Jackson gets on the scoreboard for the Mountaineers after a 10 play 65 yard drive that took 3:16 with a three yard touchdown run. The score and PAT pushes the Apps over the half-century mark with a 56-7 lead, which provides for the final margin of victory.
