BOONE, N.C. - No. 9/10 Appalachian State University football racked up 644 yards of total offense and 34 first downs and held a 407-5 advantage in rushing yardage en route to a 55-21 homecoming rout over North Carolina Central on Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
Appalachian (3-2) dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball to claim the commanding triumph. Led by 124 yards from Devon Moore, ASU rushed 
for more than 400 yards for the sixth time in its last 25 games while its defense held an opponent to fewer than 50 rushing yards for the third time since the beginning of the 2003 season and less than five rushing yards for the second time in the past eight games (ASU limited Western Carolina to minus-two yards on the ground in last year’s regular-season finale).
In all, Appalachian out-gained N.C. Central, 644-194. ASU’s 644 yards were the most NCCU has ever allowed in its 86-year football history.
Despite the eye-popping numbers, the Mountaineers had to overcome a sluggish start to post the dominating win. Thanks to a pair of turnovers deep in their own territory, the Apps trailed, 14-7, after one quarter.
ASU wasted little time in grabbing a 7-0 lead, as Moore scored on a 73-yard run on the Mountaineers’ fourth play from scrimmage but turnovers on their next two possessions — Armanti Edwards’ first interception in 85 attempts this season and a fumble by Moore — led to NCCU touchdown drives of 11 and 24 yards and a 14-7 deficit.
From the second quarter on, however, it was all Appalachian. The Apps scored on eight of their final nine possessions, driving at least 53 yards on all nine series, and out-gained the Eagles, 574-130, over the final three periods. The Mountaineers scored 17 points in the second quarter, 10 in the third and 21 in the fourth to turn the early scare into a comfortable victory.
The Mountaineers didn’t punt in 12 possessions on the afternoon (seven touchdowns, two field goals, an interception, fumble and one turnover on downs) while forcing NCCU to kick the ball away seven times, including five three-and-outs.
Moore led the way with his third 100-yard rushing performance of the season. Thanks in large part to his 73-yard touchdown scamper, which surpassed the previous longest run of his career by 27 yards, the junior needed only 11 carries to amass his 124 yards, good for an 11.3-yards-per-rush average. In addition to the 73-yarder, Moore also scored from three yards out, giving him two touchdowns in a game for the first time in his career.
Edwards turned in his usual terrific day with 334 yards of total offense, including 237 on 17-of-29 passing and 97 on 10 rushes. His favorite target was junior Matt Cline, who set career highs with eight catches for 107 yards. It was the first 100-yard performance of his career.
Linebackers Jacque Roman and D.J. Smith combined for 15 tackles (eight and seven, respectively) to pace the Mountaineers’ stout defensive effort. Smith recorded two of the Apps’ nine stops behind the line of scrimmage while Malcolm Bennett and Lanston Tanyi each registered one of ASU’s three sacks.
Quarterback Michael Johnson starred for N.C. Central with 186 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-23 passing. Will Scott and Geovonie Irvine each had three catches for the Eagles.
With its non-conference slate now behind it, Appalachian embarks on six-consecutive Southern Conference duels to close out the regular season, beginning with next Saturday’s tilt at Wofford. The 3 p.m. affair at Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg, S.C. will be televised live on SportSouth.
NOTES: Appalachian’s six 400-yard rushing efforts in its last 25 games are made even more impressive by the fact that it has only accomplished the feat three other times since 1977 ... ASU extended its home winning streak over in-state opponents to 26 games ... the Mountaineers haven’t lost to an in-state foe at home since it fell to Western Carolina, 34-7, on Oct. 6, 1984 at then-Conrad Stadium ... ASU moved to 35-11-2 all-time in homecoming games at Conrad/Kidd Brewer Stadium ... ASU kicker Jason Vitaris’ 40-yard field goal in the third quarter moved him to 4-for-4 this season from 40 yards and beyond ... the Mountaineers donned gold jerseys in honor of ASU’s 2009 homecoming theme “Solid Gold” ... the game-worn Nike jerseys will be auctioned off this week at GoASU.com.
