By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — When Appalachian State took its first lead against visiting Campbell University with roughly 7:06 remaining in the game, at 49-47, many of the 2,856 fans in attendance figured it had just been a matter of time for the Mountaineers to rally from being down by 10 points a few minutes earlier. Alas, for AppNation, the Fighting Camels had other plans in winning the game, 63-58.
Tyree Boykin of App State sets up the offense during the Mountaineers game vs. Campbell, Nov. 19. Photographic image by David Rogers
In the opening minutes of the contest, the first of three games the Mountaineers will play over the Nov. 18-20 weekend in a round robin, non-conference tournament format, App State could not buy a basket. Blocked shots, missed shots, and turnovers seemed to be the order of the day for the Mountaineers.
“Credit to Campbell,” said App State head coach Dustin Kerns, after the game. “They hadn’t played in a week and they were prepared.”
App State forward CJ Huntley was relative quiet on the night until this slam dunk in the second half of the Mountaineers game vs. Campbell University on Nov. 18. Photographic image by David Rogers
The Mountaineers had their moments, mostly in the first 13 minutes of the second half that allowed them to tie the game at 47, then take the lead. From a shooting standpoint, though, it was an off night for most of whatever quintet App State had on the floor.
Kerns dismissed the idea that the team might still be “hungover” from the emotional win over Louisville three nights earlier as well as the travel. “I thought our guys were ready to play. We had turned the page.”
Donovan Gregory of App State offers a floater to the rim on Nov. 18 vs. Campbell University. Photgraphic image by David Rogers
Kerns indicated that his charges created some good opportunities but, “We just didn’t execute.”
He also offered that Campbell having a week to prepare meant they were able to install some different looks and schemes that the coaches and players had not seen in studying film.
The Mountaineers, now 3-1 on the still young season, return to the Holmes Center on Saturday night, Nov. 19, to face the Kennesaw State Owls at 7 p.m., then Southeastern Louisiana on Sunday, Nov. 20, at 2:30 p.m.
By Katherine Jamtgaard for App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. – App State women’s basketball coach Angel Elderkin announced the addition of three athletes to the 2023 signing class on Friday. Lexi Bugajski, MaKenzie Drout, and Anaya Harris will join the Mountaineers next season as true freshmen.
“It is with great excitement that we welcome MaKenzie Drout, Lexi Bugajski, and Anaya Harris to our App State Women’s Basketball program,” said Elderkin. “Each of these young ladies bring a passion for the game, as well as a commitment to excellence both on the court and in the classroom. I cannot wait to immerse them into our Boone Community.”
Lexi Bugajski | 6-0 | New Berlin, Wis. | New Berlin Eisenhower HS
Joining the Mountaineers for the 2023-24 season will be Bugajski. Bugajski hails from New Berlin, Wis. During her high school career, Bugajski was a team captain and nabbed Second-Team All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mention. She was also ranked in the top-10 on Prehoops. Bugajski was Waukesha Freeman All-Area, named Milwaukee Journal Player to Watch, and helped her team to a state semi-final appearance her sophomore year. The New Berlin, Wis. native competed for the Wisconsin Impact club basketball team under the direction of Scott Witt. With her club team, Bugajski also earned multiple All-Tournament nods. Aside from basketball, she also competed for the New Berlin Eisenhower high school volleyball team and Wisconsin Elite club volleyball team.
Bugajski has three siblings, including a twin. She enjoys reading, writing, baking, time with friends, and listening to music. At App State, Bugajski intends to major in biology.
Why Bugajski Chose App State: Bugajski chose App State because of the “beautiful campus, great people,coaches, and players. It’s isolated, but not lonely, and strong academically.”
Elderkin on Bugajski: “Lexi Bugajski is a superior athlete, that is the perfect fit for our positionless style of player. Her versatility will allow us to utilize her.”
MaKenzie Drout | G | Kimberly, Wis. | Kimberly HS
Also joining the Mountaineers from Wisconsin will be Drout. As a junior, Drout was named team MVP, First-Team All-FVA, First Team Post Crescent All-Area, and AP All-Wisconsin Honorable Mention. She was also a Northeast Wisconsin Basketball Player of the Year nominee and nabbed Fox 11 Second-Team All-Area honors. During her sophomore season, she helped the team to a Fox Valley Conference title and a trip to the 24-2 State quarterfinals. The Kimberly, Wis. native earned Second-Team All-FVA honors and received a D1 All-State honorable mention. Drout is currently ninth in the Kimberly girls basketball team career points list, with 883 and has made 428 rebounds over the course of her high school career. She also lettered all four years of high school and was a four-year Prephoop Wisconsin Class of 2023 Top-10 contender. Drout competed for the Let It Rain club team under the direction of Jason Drout and Ryan Antony.
Drout has two siblings and enjoys cooking, hiking, fishing, and music. Drout can juggle and loves the outdoors.
Why Drout Chose App State: “I chose App State because of the culture of the school and team, the athletic program, the coaches, the players and the community. I thought that the style of play fits my game and I’m really excited for their vision for the future of the team.”
Elderkin on Drout: “MaKenzie Drout is an exceptional guard with an ability to create shots for herself and her teammates. She brings us toughness around the rim with her ability to rebound, coupled with a natural ability to lead and elevate her teammates.”
Anaya Harris | G | Raleigh, N.C. | North Raleigh Christian Academy
Harris is joining the Mountaineers as a guard next season. Aside from her high school career, Harris competed for the Carolina Dream and Carolina Flames club teams.
Harris has two siblings and intends to major in sports medicine. She is the second person in her family to commit to a college and enjoys drawing and being with family.
Why Harris Chose App State: Harris chose App State because of “the loving feeling I felt I could never forget.”
Elderkin on Harris: “Anaya Harris is an excellent on-ball defender as well as someone who can attack the paint and create for herself and others. She has tremendous length and speed that will make an impact in our backcourt.”
By Matt Present for App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. — App State has announced its baseball schedule for the 2023 season.
Fans will get their first look at the Mountaineers February 17-19 when they play a three-game weekend series against Queens at L.P. Frans Stadium in Hickory.
Head coach Kermit Smith’s Mountaineers will play 28 home games this season at Beaver Field at Jim and Betty Smith Stadium, beginning February 25 when they take on North Carolina A&T.
“We are excited about our 2023 schedule,” Smith said. “We look forward to playing in front of our amazing fans in Boone, as well as in Hickory, Shelby and across the region. Playing quality opponents throughout the year is essential to preparing our team for the Sun Belt Conference and postseason play.”
The non-conference home schedule is highlighted by weekend series against Gardner-Webb (March 3-5) and Campbell (March 10-12).
Prior to the contest on Saturday, March 11, the Mountaineers will host their annual baseball brunch, in which they will honor the 50th anniversary of the 1973 conference championship squad. Registration information will be released at a later time.
App State will also host Big 12 foe West Virginia in a midweek two-game set March 14-15 and square off with the College of Charleston on March 21. The Black and Gold will also tangle with Wake Forest on April 11 and renew their rivalry with ETSU on May 2 at Smith Stadium.
Playing in one of the premier baseball conferences in the country, App State will host five weekend series in Sun Belt play this season, taking on Georgia State (March 24-26) and ULM (April 6-8) before battling newcomers Old Dominion (April 21-23) and James Madison (April 28-30). The Mountaineers with wrap up conference play with Arkansas State (May 12-14).
The Mountaineers’ road slate is highlighted by a meeting with Duke in non-conference play on March 7 in Durham. App State will also take on regional foes High Point, North Carolina A&T, UNC Asheville and Queens. The Mountaineers will also take on Wake Forest in Shelby, N.C. on April 26.
In Sun Belt play, the Black and Gold will travel to take on Marshall (March 17-19), Louisiana (March 31-April 2), Georgia Southern (April 14-16), Coastal Carolina (May 5-7) and Troy (May 18-19).
Five 2023 opponents made the NCAA tournament last year, including Sun Belt members Georgia Southern, Coastal Carolina and Louisiana, as well as Campbell and Wake Forest.
By Katherine Jamtgaard for App State Sports.BOONE, N.C. — App State’s women’s basketball team led for more than 26 minutes on Nov. 17 against Norfolk State, which has followed a WNIT appearance with a strong start to November, and the Spartans used a late run to pull out a 70-65 win against the Mountaineers at the Holmes Center.
Janay Sanders went 11 of 13 from the line and tied her career high of 25 points to lead App State (1-3). She matched her single-game high from a home win nine months ago against Texas State.
Lauren Carter posted 12 points, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks, while Faith Alston also reached double figures with 10 points in her season debut. Brooke Bigott secured a season-high nine rebounds against the Spartans, who improved to 3-1 on the heels of a 30-point win at College of Charleston, a six-point loss at Penn State and a 125-19 win to open the season.
App State, which led by as many as 15 points in the first half, took its final lead when Bigott drilled a 3-pointer for a 60-58 edge with 4:47 remaining. Norfolk State used an 8-0 run to carry a six-point lead into the final 20 seconds.
“I was really proud of our team’s effort tonight,” App State head coach Angel Elderkin said. “I think we took a step in the right direction. We obviously didn’t come out on top, but we showed a lot of toughness with some things we’ve really been dialing in on in practice in terms of winning loose balls and boxing out — little things I thought our team really brought to the table.
“Give credit to Norfolk State. They’re a very good program, a postseason team, a place we want to be. I thought they did a really good job of weathering the storm when we made the run.”
The Mountaineers trailed 22-18 early in the second quarter but responded with a 20-2 run over the next four minutes. Sanders scored eight points during that run, including a 3-pointer that followed 3s by Zada Porter and Carter.
Alston’s 3-pointer with 3:55 left in the half produced a 41-26 advantage, and a 27-point second quarter contributed to the Mountaineers taking a 45-36 lead into the break.
Norfolk State held App State to four third-quarter points to pull even, and the Spartans finally moved ahead on a layup with 5:01 left in the game. Bigott’s big long-range jumper 14 seconds later turned a one-point deficit into a two-point lead, and Norfolk State prevented the Mountaineers from scoring for the next four and a half minutes.
A 3-pointer from Sanders cut a six-point deficit in half with 17 seconds left, and Norfolk State went 4-for-4 at the line the rest of the way.
App State shot 16 of 21 from the line and scored 18 points off 14 turnovers from the Spartans.
UP NEXT
App State travels to Morgantown, W.Va., to face West Virginia (2-0) on Sunday at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
By Matt Present for App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. – App State Soccer seniors Kerry Eagleston and Emma McGibany have been named to the 2022 Academic All-District Team, selected by College Sports Communicators (CSC).
Eagleston and McGibany advance to the ballot for CSC Academic All-America recognition, which will be announced in early December.
A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., Eagleston maintains a 3.80 GPA while working toward her degree in social work and wrapping up her minor in psychology. On the field, she is one of the most decorated goalkeepers in program history, ranking third all-time in saves (349) and shutouts (18). This season Eagleston led the Sun Belt with 93 saves, while her .809 save percentage was good for third in the conference. She also posted six shutouts this season which ranked fifth in the Sun Belt, and her 1.17 goals-against average was seventh in the league.
McGibany maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA as a chemistry major with minors in biology and business. The Tallahassee, Fla., native played in 71 matches across her four seasons with the Mountaineers, scoring three goals and adding five assists. This season, the senior forward netted a goal to help the Mountaineers to a 2-1 victory at home over Coastal Carolina. McGibany added an assist in App State’s 3-1 victory over Louisiana that clinched a spot in the Sun Belt Tournament.
This duo represents a squad that continues to excel academically. The team finished the spring 2022 semester with a 3.71 GPA, the best mark in program history. These All-District selections mark yet another achievement for App State Athletics, which earlier this month was recognized for having the top graduation rate among Sun Belt members and placing a conference-best 211 student-athletes on the Sun Belt Commissioner’s List and Academic Honor Roll for the 2021-22 school year.
By David Rogers. LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Appalachian State men’s basketball led Louisville from start to finish — but a tenth of a second more time on the clock and the Mountaineers would have lost. App State survived the video review of what was initially ruled Louisville’s winning basket, the on-court decision reversed to the Mountaineers’ favor, 61-60.
The ultimate result reflected two Division I collegiate basketball programs going in different directions at the start of the 2022-23 season. App State is 3-0 while Louisville is 0-3, although each of the Cardinals losses have been by one point. According to Louisville’s athletics media staff, the 2022-23 Cardinals are the first team since at least 1980 to lose its first three games of the season by one point each. Including last year’s 51-50 season-ending loss to Virginia, the Cardinals are the first team since Stetson in 1981-82 to lose four consecutive one-point games.
After two exhibition games that included a loss to Lenoir-Rhyne (57-47) and a win over Chaminade (80-73), Louisville opened the regular season with losses to Bellarmine (67-66) and Wright State (73-72) before being handed the same fate by Appalachian State on Nov. 15.
With forward Donovan Gregory and guard Tyree Boykin each getting into double figures scoring in just the first half, App State led by 13 at intermission. But 19 points scored in the second half by guard El Ellis helped Louisville close the gap and it was the Durham, N.C. native who drove the lane and laid the ball up and in — releasing the basket-bound ball less than a tenth of a second after the final buzzer had sounded.
The teams matched up fairly well, statistically, except one key number: turnovers. Louisville turned the ball over 18 times in the game, compared to the Mountaineers’ 7 — and App State took advantage, holding a 20-6 advantage in points off turnovers for the full 40 minutes of action. The Mountaineers also held a 34-18 advantage in scoring inside the paint.
Gregory and Boykin finished the game with 16 and 14 points, respectively, and were joined in double figures by Terence Harcum, with 10. Starting forward Tamell Pearson collected 9 rebounds, scored 5 points and added a steal to also make a strong contribution.
The Cardinals trailed 57-45 with 7:01 remaining in the game, but mounted a 15-4 run in almost finishing the game with a one-point win instead of a one-point loss.
Noteworthy (courtesy of App State Sports):
The Mountaineers’ 3-0 start to the 2022-23 season is the best start since 1997-98.
The crowd of 11,919 was the largest to ever witness App State deliver a road win in men’s basketball. It was the Mountaineers’ first victory against a Power Five opponent since a 65-63 win at Virginia Tech early in the 2014-15 season.
Freshman Justin Abson had two blocks on the night, bringing his total to 10 over the first three games. That is third best in the nation and first among freshmen.
The Mountaineers drew eight charges on the night, led by Tamell Pearson, who drew five. Justin Abson drew the eighth in a crucial moment with three minutes to go.
App State now returns to the Holmes Convocation Center for a three-game stretch on consecutive days, including Campbell (Nov. 18, 7 p.m.), Kennesaw State (Nov. 19, 7 p.m.) and Southeastern Louisiana (Nov. 20, 2:30 p.m.).
Louisville travels to Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, for the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. They open on Nov. 21 against Arkansas, then will face some combination of Creighton, Texas Tech, Ohio State, San Diego State, Cincinnati, and Arizona.
BOONE, N.C. – Head Soccer Coach Aimee Haywood announced the addition of 11 newcomers to the team’s 2023 class, as part of National Signing Day, November 9.
“I’m extremely excited to welcome my first full signing class here at App,” Haywood said. “These excellent young women are talented and excited to continue to elevate our program to new heights. This is a very strong class that will add immediate competition to our current roster at every position on the field.”
These additions come on the heels of Haywood’s first season, in which she led the Mountaineers to a seventh-place finish in the Sun Belt, following a last-place finish in 2021. Her five Sun Belt victories were the most conference wins by a first-year head coach in program history.
Summer Bowman – Forward | Trinity, N.C. | Charlotte Soccer Academy
The MVP of the 2A State Champion Wheatmore High School Squad, Bowman comes to the High Country after a terrific high school career. In 17 games played as a junior last spring, Bowman netted 36 goals, while dishing out 23 assists, shattering her program’s scoring records. The state title was the first in Wheatmore history, as they became the first girls’ team from Randolph County to win a soccer championship. Bowman also plays for the Charlotte Soccer Academy, where she excels in the air, leading the club in header goals. Bowman has also spent time playing soccer internationally in England.
Ella Hoover – Midfielder | Granville, Ohio | Ohio Premier
Named an All-American her junior season, Hoover enjoyed a decorated career at Granville High School. She has also garnered All-State and Player of the Year recognitions in soccer, captaining her squad. Hoover is a three-sport athlete, also competing for Granville in basketball and lacrosse. Hoover also plays for the Ohio Premier Soccer Club, under the direction of Katie Robinson. She not only excels on the field, but also in the classroom where she is a member of the Cum Laude Society. She also has a 25-pound cat named Boots.
Marley Kahle – Forward | Crestwood, Ky. | Racing Louisville FC
Kahle (pronounced KAY-lee) was a standout high school player at South Oldham, where she scored 30 goals and added 18 assists this fall in her senior campaign, culminating with a state championship. It capped a 63-goal career for the forward, who along the way earned All-State recognition, in addition to being named to the Fall 2022 South All-Region Team by United Soccer Coaches. Kahle also plays club soccer for Racing Louisville FC academy, under the direction of George Davis IV. She has a guinea pig named Oatmeal.
Kaytan Kroboth – Forward/Midfielder | Raleigh, N.C. | NC Courage
Kroboth comes to Boone after playing her club soccer for the North Carolina Courage Academy, where she was named the NCNL player to watch. Kroboth is set to graduate with a 4.3 GPA and Summa Cum Laude honors. In addition to her studies in the classroom, she spent much of her downtime during COVID at the beach, where she studied for, and received, her boating license.
Avenley Monteith – Outside Back/Winger/Midfielder | Cornelius, N.C. | Charlotte Independence
A three-time All-State selection at Liberty Prep Christian Academy, Monteith was also twice named to the All-Conference squad, in addition to garnering team MVP honors as a junior. Monteith also plays for Neil Roberts and the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club. Monteith competed for her birth country Northern Ireland’s U17 squad in 2018. She joins her older sister Breckyn Monteith (’23) on the Mountaineers squad.
Makayla Mulholland – Outside Back | Pittsburgh, Pa. | Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Mulholland is a standout defender for the Pittsburg Riverhounds Club and head coach Scott Gibson. Additionally, she plays for Fox Chapel Area High school where she has three-times garnered All-Section recognition and has been named All-Conference all four seasons. Before joining the Riverhounds she was the Arsenal FC of Pittsburgh Player of the Year in 2020. Mulholland also spends time volunteering with a local youth soccer team.
Brezlyn Parsons – Goalkeeper | Pawleys Island, S.C. | Wilmington Hammerheads
Parsons comes to the High Country from Pawleys Island, where she is the goalkeeper for the Wilmington Hammerheads under the direction of Will Heaney. In addition to her time in net for the Hammerheads, Parsons plays at Waccamaw High School, where she posted nine shutouts in 16 matches as a junior last spring, registering a goals-against-average of just .508.
Hayden Rape – Midfielder/Outside Back | Charleston, S.C. | South Carolina Surf
Rape is the captain of her club team, South Carolina Surf, under the direction of Aaron McGarvey. She also plays for James Island Charter High School, where she has helped lead the team to back-to-back 4A State Championships on her way to being named Most Valuable Player. Rape has a twin sister, Grayson, and is one of four siblings.
Olivia Simon – Midfielder | Waxhaw, N.C. | Charlotte Independence
Simon is the captain of her club team, Charlotte Independence, where she plays for head coach Neil Roberts. She also plays for Cuthbertson High School, where she was named the conference and region Player of the Year, in addition to garnering All-State recognition as a junior. She has tallied 14 goals and 12 assists in her high school career. Simon also plays basketball for Charlotte Independence, and has a foster cat named Goldie.
Kyli Switalski – Forward | High Point, N.C. | NC Fusion
An All-State selection at Ragsdale High School, Switalski scored 37 goals in 17 games her junior campaign. She also plays club for the North Carolina Fusion for head coach Elijah Denton. Switalski won the golden boot Award when she scored six goals in the Triad Cup last spring.
Sarah Wommack – Goalkeeper | Kernersville, N.C. | NC Fusion
The 2022 ULS Academy Cup Golden Glove winner, Wommack joins the Mountaineers after being chosen to participate in the 2021 Tennessee National Selection Game as a member of the NC Fusion ECNL squad. Wommack also competed for two years on the Northwest Guilford High School team, earning 4A Metro Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2021 and All-State honors in 2022, in addition to being All-Conference and All-Region both seasons.
Katherine Jamtgaard for App State Sports. BOONE, N.C. – Graduate student Brooke Bigott and redshirt-senior Janay Sanders led the charge against local Division II opponent Lees-McRae on Monday as App State defended Holmes Center, 67-33, against the Bobcats.
Bigott scored 13 of the Mountaineers’ points, while Sanders posted 12. The pair also earned eight rebounds apiece. Twenty-seven of the Black and Gold’s points were made off fast breaks and 24 points came from the bench.
“Today was a great opportunity to be back home in front of our fan base and open up our season against Lees-McRae,” said head coach Angel Elderkin. “They had a really good game on Saturday, we were actually very concerned with them coming in. They took a nationally ranked Division II team down to the wire. They came in today and I thought our defense set the tone early.
“We’re still a work in progress in terms of some areas figuring out lineup so I thought tonight just gave us some good opportunity to play different lineups, get some minutes in the Holmes Center under our belt and obviously come out with a win.”
After surging out to a 13-2 lead in the first quarter, the Mountaineers steadily extended their lead with a pair of Emily Carver 3-pointers in the second to lead 21-8. Carver totaled nine points on the night as well as two steals.
Bigott and freshman Chaé Harris helped the Mountaineers go on a 9-0 run in the third quarter, putting App State up 46-17. Harris notched eight points and six rebounds. A layup from sophomore Zada Porter put the Black and Gold up 50-20 to close out the third quarter.
Harris, sophomore Mariah Frazier, and junior Dane Bertolina led the Mountaineers in the fourth quarter, combining for 15 of the Mountaineers’ 17 points in the quarter. Freshman Lexi Grant made it to the hoop with 26 seconds left for her first collegiate layup.
UP NEXT
App State will host Norfolk State on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+. Four tickets to the Rock Garden at Saturday’s football game against Old Dominion will be up for grabs as well.
By David Rogers. HUNTINGTON, W. Va. — Much of what was seen in Appalachian State’s 28-21 loss to Sun Belt Conference rival Marshall on Nov. 12 was evenly matched. Perhaps telling are some of the defensive statistics.
Both teams had a fumble recovery and a pass interception, but that is where the defensive similarities end. Marshall held a 7-3 advantage in tackles for loss, 2-1 in QB sacks, 6-4 advantage in pass breakups, and 12-5 in quarterback hurries. In short, the Thundering Herd applied more pressure to the Mountaineer quarterback and made more key plays to disrupt App State’s offensive possessions.
App State’s Milan Tucker (0) had a 96-yard kickoff return for a TD in the second half of App State’s Sun Belt Conference loss to longtime rival, Marshall, in Huntington, W. Va. Photo by Jonathan Aguallo for App State Sports
Marshall took the opening kickoff and with it made a statement, driving 80 yards in 15 plays and keeping Appalachian State’s offense off the field for almost seven minutes. Oh, and they scored a touchdown to take the early lead, 7-0, when star running back Khalan Laborn got into the end zone from one yard out. It was perhaps fitting that Laborn get the scoring credit after playing a key role in almost half of the Herd’s 15 plays on the drive, including 6 rushes and a pass reception.
In response, the Mountaineers were able to get two first downs on their ensuing offensive possession, but were only able to gain 34 yards in 6 plays before having to punt.
The rest of the first quarter was a defensive slugfest, the two longtime adversaries exchanging three-and-outs.
After each team made defensive stands to open the second quarter, App State caught a break when Marshall’s special teams player, Jadarius Green-McKnight, was flagged for interfering with the Mountaineer punt returner’s called fair catch. It gave Appalachian a short field for the next offensive possession, starting at the 50-yardline. Unfortunately, they could only gain one first down while moving the ball just 22 yards in 6 plays before turning it over on downs at the Marshall 28. Rather than attempt a field goal on 4th-and-2, the Mountaineers elected to send running back Camerun Peoples on a mission to gain the necessary yardage, but a stalwart Herd defense was able to stop him short of the objective.
In a strange series of events, App State and Marshall exchanged pass interceptions, still early in the second quarter. First, App State seemed to get another opportunity when linebacker Logan Doublin intercepted a Marshall pass that was broken up initially by Jalen McCloud but, on the very next play, the Thundering Herd’s redshirt junior defensive back Micah Abraham picked off a Chase Brice pass in the end zone to return the favor.
Marshall took advantage, staging a 9-play, 80-yard drive to a TD and PAT that doubled the Herd’s first half advantage to 14-0.
Daetrich Harrington’s (4) catch and run made it all the way to the one-yard line against Marshall on Nov. 12. App State lost, 28-21. Photo by Jonathan Aguallo for App State Sports
App State was held to a 3-and-out, but the offensive effort was given another opportunity when punter Clayton Howell’s punt was fumbled by Marshall’s Caleb McMillan at the Thundering Herd 32-yardline. In spite of incurring three penalties on the extended offensive possession, App State took advantage with a 10 play, 32 yard drive featuring runs by Peoples and Daetrich Harrington. And it was Harrington who gathered in a short pass in the right flat and romped down to the one-yard line, then on the next play took the ball into the end zone. With the Michael Hughes PAT, the Mountaineers had closed the deficit to a single touchdown, at 14-7, which they carried into intermission.
App State’s hopes for a quick resurgence with receiving the second half kickoff faded when it was mishandled by redshirt freshman tight end David Larkins and recovered by Marshall’s Dainsus Miller at the Mountaineers’ 30. Appalachian’s defense turned back the Herd’s offense, with a 16-yard loss on a QB sack pushing Marshall out of field goal range and they punted down to the App State 7-yardline. The Mountaineer offense couldn’t move the ball either and the situation worsened when Clayton Howell’s punt was blocked by the Herd’s Shadeed Ahmed and recovered by Miller in the end zone, putting Marshall ahead, 21-7.
The Mountaineer fans scattered about Joan C. Edwards Stadium among the reported attendance of 24,312 didn’t have long to wait for renewed hope when redshirt sophomore Milan Tucker returned the Thundering Herd’s next kickoff 96 yards for a TD, again narrowing Marshall’s lead to just one touchdown at 21-14.
But in response, the Thundering Herd’s no-huddle offense produced yet another TD after an 8-play, 82-yard drive featuring the arms and legs of redshirt freshman quarterback Cam Fancher, including two long passes to redshirt junior wide receiver Corey Gammage. First. there was 32 yard pass play from Fancher to Gammage over the middle, then a 19-yard aerial from the QB to WR on the right side that found the end zone, expanding Marshall’s lead to 28-14, midway through the third quarter.
Cameron Peoples finds a gap in the line of scrimmage on Nov. 12 during App State’s 28-21 loss to Marshall. Photo by Andy McLean for App State Sports
Toward the end of the third quarter, Appalachian started a 9-play, 50-yard drive that featured Brice passes to receivers Kaedon Robinson and Dalton Stroman for sizable gains, but it was a Brice-to-tight end Henry Pearson that reached paydirt, a 14-yard aerial on the right side. With Michael Hughes’ successful PAT kick, the Mountaineers were again within a touchdown but now the game was early in the final quarter.
Neither team scored in the final 14 minutes of the game, although App State came close, manufacturing a 13-play, 50-yard drive that stalled on the Marshall 13-yardline. The ball was turned over on downs with just over five minutes remaining.
Appalachian’s defense allowed the Herd to only gain 21 yards in just over two minutes before getting the ball back into the Mountaineer offense’s hands, so the Boone boys had one more chance to tie the game or go ahead with a 2-point conversion. They were able to run 11 plays, but only got the ball to the Marshall 45 before turning the ball over on downs with only 36 seconds left on the clock. It only required a kneel down by Fancher to preserve the Thundering Herd’s sixth win of the season, their overall record improving to a bowl eligible 6-4 and 3-3 in Sun Belt Conference play. Meanwhile, Appalachian fell deeper in the SBC East Division standings at 2-4 in conference play (tied for the East cellar with Georgia Southern and Old Dominion) and will have wait another week for a chance to get a sixth overall win and become bowl eligible. At 5-5 overall, they are not quite there.
“It was a gut-wrenching loss,” said App State head coach Shawn Clark after the game. “I told our team that I was proud of the way they fought, but we have to find a way to win the football game. We are all hurting, but we have to find a way to win. We can’t have turnovers. Marshall has a very solid defense. It is high risk, high reward and they just made more plays than we did today.”
Appalachian State now has two games remaining in the regular season to try and become bowl eligible. Both contests are against the teams with whom they are tied at the bottom of the Sun Belt’s East Division. First is a home game on Nov. 19 against Old Dominion on Senior Day, with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff. Then they close the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 26, under the lights in Statesboro, Ga., at Georgia Southern. Kickoff is at 8 p.m.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Two down, another very important volleyball match against Louisiana to go.
Appalachian State completed a weekend sweep of the Ragin’ Cajuns at the Holmes Convocation Center on Nov. 12, 3-1 (24-26, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20), but must now face Louisiana for a third consecutive time on Nov. 17, in the Sun Belt Conference tournament in Foley, Ala.
App State’s McCall Denny goes up high for a kill shot against Louisiana on Nov. 12, in the Holmes Convocation Center. Photo by David Rogers
Just like the Nov. 11 contest the night before, every set between the Mountaineers and Ragin’ Cajuns on Saturday was a hotly contested thriller, exchanging leads or tying. Through the four sets on Saturday, the two sides amassed 34 ties and 16 lead changes.
It was a fitting end to the regular season for the Mountaineers, who have now won 11 of their last 12 matches. That is the best stretch for App State since a program record-tying 16 straight wins during the 2015 seasons. The Louisiana sweep also added to the special, Senior Day ceremonies at the end of Saturday’s match, celebrating the volleyball life and times at App State of seniors Sam Bickley, Sarah Missroon, and Morgan Flores.
Noteworthy:
McCall Denny posted her 11th double-double of the season, with 15 kills and 12 digs.
Sam Bickley led the team in assists with 23, but also had the second-most digs, 8.
Freshman Maya Winterhoff was credited with a team-high 6 blocks.
Sarah Missroon recorded 3 blocks to go along with 8 kills.
App State led Louisiana in points (65-60), kills (48-47), service aces (8-5), and blocked shots (9-8).
That’s App State senior Sarah Missroon (7) and teammate Madison Baldridge (21) reaching for a block against Louisiana on Nov. 12 at the Holmes Center. Photo by David Rogers
Next action for the Mountaineers will be in Foley, Ala., 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time, against Louisiana in the opening rounds of Sun Belt Conference play on Thursday, Nov. 17. App State is the No. 4 seed in the East Division, while Louisiana is the No. 5 seed in the West Division.
Earlier matches on Wednesday, Nov. 16 will see Arkansas State (No. 6 in the West) pitted against Georgia State (No. 7 East), and Marshall (No. 6 East) against Louisiana-Monroe (No. 7 West).
Other matches on Nov. 17 include Old Dominion (No. 3 East) vs. the winner of Arkansas State and Georgia State; Southern Miss (No. 4 West) vs. Georgia Southern (No. 5 East); and South Alabama (No. 3 West) vs. the winner of Marshall and ULM.
The tournament championship match is slated for Sunday, Nov. 20, 2 p.m. Eastern Time. All tournament matches are scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN+. The full Sun Belt Conference championship tournament schedule can be found by clicking HERE.
