Update #14: Chattanooga takes its final timeout on defense with ASU in possession and 1:33 left on the clock. A first down will seal the game for the Mountaineers, but a Cadet run comes up a couple of yards short, setting up fourth down. The Mountaineers choose to punt the ball away. Chattanooga gets the ball back one final time at its own 20-yard line, with no timeouts, and 41.6 seconds to play.
Update #13: 6:44 remains in the game and ASu punts back to the Mocs, who scored on its last possession. ASU forces a punt and regains possession with around four minutes to play.
Update #12: Chattanooga bounces back from the score with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Coleman to Allison. The score capped a nine-play, 53-yard drive that elapsed 3:45 off the clock. The two-point conversion pass failed, leaving ASU with a slim 14-12 lead with 9:51 left to play.
Update #11: A 46-yard interception return for a touchdown by ASU's Jeremy Kimbrough gives the Mountaineers its second non-offensive touchdown of the game. Martin's PAT puts ASU up 14-0 with 13:38 left to play in the game..
Update #10: DeAndre Presley fumbles the football on ASU's ensuing possession. Consiglio forces the ball out and UTC recovers at the Mountaineer 30-yard line. A pass interference penalty against ASU moves the football inside the red zone. As the quarter ends, Pollard prepares for a 26-yard field goal attempt, only to have a bad snap picked up by the Mountaineers and returned for a touchdown 73 yards by Rodger Walker. The Sam Martin PAT gives the Mountaineers its first points and first lead of the game at 7-6 entering the fourth period.
Update #9: Chattanooga takes the possession following the ASU missed field goal and drives 75 yards on 11 plays. Pollard boots a 22-yard field goal to put Chattanooga up 6-0 with 1:55 to play in the third quarter.
Update #8: The teams traded punts through the first half of the third period. ASU drove to the Mocs' six-yard line with a nine-play, 54-yard drive, only to come up empty on a Sam Martin 23-yard field goal attempt which sails wide right. Mocs remain ahead by a 3-0 score with 6:14 to play in the third quarter.
Update #7: ASU tries to move downfield in the final minute of the half, but a deep pass by Presley is intercepted, his second pick of the half. Chattanooga goes into the locker room with a 3-0 lead.
The total yards at intermission are almost equal, with Chattanooga holding a 143-140 advantage. However, the Mocs have amassed only 10 rushing yards for the half. Two quarters remain to see which team prevails in this evening's conference opener.
Update #6: The Mocs march with the ASU turnover to the ASU five-yard line, but the Mountaineers deny Chattanooga on three occasions, forcing Chattanooga to settle for a 23-yard field goal from Pollard, capping a eight-play, 56-yard drive consuming 2:53 off the clock. With 1:08 to play before intermission, Chattanooga draws first blood for a 3-0 lead.
Update #5: Appalachian moves the football near the UTC 40-yard line, but a Presley pass is tipped, and Chattanooga's Chris Lewis-Harris intercepts the pass for the first turnover of the game. Under three minutes to play in the half and the game remains scoreless.
Update #4: Midway through the second period and the game is still scoreless. Defenses are awfully stingy on the turf this afternoon. ASU has struggled to advance the football on offense. Although Chattanooga has moved the football sporadically, the Mountaineers defense has made plays as needed to force punts.Update #3: One quarter is in the books, with the game remaining scoreless. Both defenses have come to play. ASU has held the Mocs to 44 first-quarter yards, with ASU gaining 83 yards in the first 15 minutes.
Update #2: Chattanooga puts together a six-play, 37-yard drive, only to be turned away on a missed field goal by Nick Pollard. The game remains scoreless with slightly more than two minutes to play in the opening quarter.
Update #1: An exchange of punts thus far as the score remains scoreless. Both defenses bowing their necks in the early going.
We are LIVE in Boone for the SoCon opening contest at Kidd Brewer Stadium between ASU and the Chattanooga Mocs. The Mocs enter the game rated #13 in the latest FCS poll, with ASU ranked No. 3 in the latest poll.
Chattanooga is coming off a 23-14 win over Eastern Kentucky last week, with ASU entering today's game off a 41-6 win at home last week against Savannah State.
Chattanooga brags a SoCon player of the year candidate in B.J. Coleman (68-of-106 passing, 747 yards, 4 TD). The Mountaineers have a decent quarterback of its own in DeAndre Presley (37-of-58 passing, 472 yards, 3 TD).
A key to watch in today's game will be the defensive secondary of Appalachian, as well as the amount of pressure the ASU three-man front can put on Coleman. Should be a good one in Boone. We'll be providing updates throughout the contest. Thanks for reading!
