1:45: We are live in a gray looking Boone for today's Black Saturday showdown between the Mountaineers and Georgia Southern. These two teams have have a fierce rivalry, and today's contest looks to be no different. I am standing in for Jamie today as he is covering Avery Volleyball's first round playoff game. We will bring you updates as we get them from that match as well as keeping an eye on the UT-Alabama game. This ASU game is on SportSouth as well as the excellent broadcast by Appalachian ISP Radio Network. We hope you enjoy and keep checking with us! -Matt
2:00: Update from Newland: Avery wins set two 25-18 and the match is tied at 1 set apiece. West Wilkes won set 1 by a score of 25-18. It is a best out of five set match.
2:30: West Wilkes takes set three 25-20 as they take a 2 to 1 lead in the match.
2:45: The Lady Vikings season comes to a close as West Wilkes wins set four 26-24 win the playoff match 3 to 1. Congrats to the Lady Vikings on an excellent season.
3:00: IT"S FOOTBALL TIME AT THE ROCK! The teams will be entering the field momentarily as Kidd Brewer is packed out! This is my first trip to the new Kidd Brewer Press Box and I echo Jamie's previous comments about how beautiful it is.
3:02: App won the toss and deferred to the second half so Southern will get the ball to start the game.
3:16: TOUCHDOWN ASU! After forcing a GS three and out, the Mountaineers went on a 10 play 79 yard drive that was capped off when Armanti Edwards hit Matt Cline for a 15-yard touchdown pass. ASU 7 GSU 0 with 9:03 remaining in first quarter.
3:30: Georgia Southern gets on the board after a ASU fumble is recovered and the Eagles goes the distance for the 38-yard touchdown. ASU 7 GSU 7 5:11 left in the first.
3:45: End of 1 sees the Mountaineers leading 14 to 7 and in scoring position again. Edwards became the 2nd player in D-I history to have 8,000 passing and 4,000 rushing yards.
4:00: How quickly things can change. Devon Moore has got two touchdowns since the start of the 2nd quarter as the 'Neers lead 28-7. The ASU defense has played tough as the Eagles have -13 total yards so far. ASU28 GS 7 12:02 left in 2nd.
4:30: With 3:13 remaining in the second quarter, Georgia Southern has tacked on a field goal. A scary moment has just happened as training staff are attending to an injured Eagle. The personnel have had to bring out a back board and a stretcher. The press box staff believes it is Hudson Presume. We will update you on the condition as soon as we get it.
4:40: We just went to the break and the 'Neers lead 35-10 after a quick ASU score when Edwards hit Quick for a nine yard TD. According to APP SID staff, Presume has been taken to the WMC for observation for a possible spinal cord injury. He was conscious when he left the stadium. Quick SEC Update: UT is trailing Alabama 6-3 with 8:00 left in the second quarter.
5:10: We are back at for the second half. Some first half stats: Edwards is 23 of 29 passing for 304 yards and three touchdowns and added 39 yards rushing. CoCo Hillary has seven catches for 104 yards and Matt Cline has nine for 96. Hillary has two touchdowns and Cline has added another one. ASU has 391 yards of total offense to GSU's 96.
5:38:ASU hit paydirt again when Moore scrambled in for four yards, but GS responded with a 15 play drive that took 5:47 off the clock as App continues to lead and the crowd continues the crawl out of a cold Kidd Brewer that began at halftime. Travaris Cadet has taken over the ASU offense in relief work for Edwards. Edwards finished the game 26 of 34 for 320 yards and 3 TDS as well as 6 rushes for 61 yards. Several other ASU starters are also done for the day.
5:45: Injury update: The GSU SID staff has informed us that Presume has movement and that his tests came back negative.
5:50: The Apps will enter the fourth quarter with the game in hand as they lead 45-16.
5:56: It's been a blast, but it is time to join the masses as we must pack up and head to press conferences. We will have a full story later on this weekend on this game. As it stands now, ASU leads 45-16 with 13:00 left in the contest. Thanks for reading the Avery Journal-Times Sports Blog!
