Avery Journal-Times
BOONE- The Appalachian State Mountaineers are accustomed to using a high pow
ered offense to dominate opponents. On Saturday, the Mountaineer defense proved they can get the job done also as the #2 Mountaineers defeated #11 Elon 24-16.In weather fit more basketball as a rain/snow fell and temperatures fell into the 30’s, the Mountaineers clinched at least a share their fourth straight SoCon title and a guaranteed FCS playoff berth. App can win the conference outright next weekend with a victory over Western Carolina.
Armanti Edwards’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Ben Jorden gave the Mountaineers their first touchdown 11 minutes into the contest. Edwards tehn found Matt Cline from 33-yards to give App a 14-0 lead.
However, the Phoenix, who were just a half game behind the Mountaineers in the SoCon standings befo
re the game, came rushing back as they scored the next 16 points and took their only lead of the day at 16-14.The Mountaineers quickly answered as it only took them 1:12 to march down the field as Edwards hit Brian Quick for a 23-yard touchdown that put App up 21-16. A late 24-yard field goal by Jason Vitaris gave the Apps the final margin of victory.
Edwards ended the day 25 yards short of becoming the 26th player in FCS history to have 10,000 total offensive yards in a career as he had 251 yards on the day.
The Mountaineer defense held Phoenix quarterback Scott Riddle, who was the SoCon’s leading passer, to just 196 yards on 20 of 39 passes. Jacque Roman had ten tackles and Jabri Fletcher had two sacks and a forced fumble for ASU.
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The Mountaineers have one game remaining before they will start their quest for their fourth straight national title. Appalachian will head to Cullowhee on Saturday for the annual Battle for the Old Mountain Jug. Kickoff is set for 3:30pm and the game will be televised on Sportsouth.
