Courtesy of Appalachian Sports Information
Appalachian State University head coach Jerry Moore announced after Wednesday’s practice that sophomore DeAndre Presley will start at quarterback for the Mountaineers on Saturday when they open the 2009 season at East Carolina. Moore said he does not expect All-American Armanti Edwards, who injured his right foot in a lawn-mowing accident exactly four weeks ago, to play in the season opener.
Saturday’s start will be the second of Presley’s career. His only previous start came in last year’s regular-season finale at Western Carolina, when he racked up 314 yards of total offense (158 passing, 156 rushing) and accounted for four touchdowns (one passing, three rushing) to lead Appalachian to a 35-10 win over its archrival. Thanks to his efforts versus WCU, he was named the Southern Conference’s Offensive Player and Freshman of the Week, becoming only the seventh player in SoCon history and the first in 17 years to receive two of the league’s weekly awards simultaneously.
In nine games as a true freshman in 2008, Presley completed 30-of-45 passes (66.7 percent) for 379 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 73 times for 415 yards (5.7 avg.) and seven scores.
“As a staff and a team, we’re very comfortable with DeAndre Presley starting on Saturday and with our quarterback position as a whole with (sophomore) Travaris Cadet, as well,” Moore said.
In the meantime, Edwards will continue rehabilitation and his status for the Sept. 12 home opener versus McNeese State will be determined as soon as possible next week.
