CHARLOTTE – Appalachian State started the new season with a 34-11 win against its revitalized rivals the Charlotte 49ers at Bank of America Stadium on Friday night. The Mountaineers remain perfect with a 4-0 record in the series and gave Dowell Loggains his first win as the program’s head coach.
Tale of the Tape
The game started slow with three straight punts.
The Mountaineers found momentum when redshirt junior quarterback AJ Swann connected with junior wide receiver Jaden Barnes for what looked like a 60-yard touchdown. Bur Charlotte redshirt senior defensive back Ja’Qurious Conley chased him down and forced a fumble at the one yard line, which went out the back of the end zone. The 49ers offense capitalized with a field goal and the first points of the game.
However in the second quarter, a 26-yard reception from Barnes put the Mountaineers on the goal line and senior running back Rashod Dubinion punched it in one play later, giving them a 7-3 lead.
It was all App State from there.
Barnes made up for his fumble with a 10-yard touchdown reception.
After the score, redshirt junior quarterback Conner Harrell was picked off by redshirt junior defensive back Ja’Den McBurrows giving the Mountaineers the ball in prime field position with 20 seconds left in the half, which they capitalized on with a field goal taking a 17-3 lead into the locker room.
The Mountaineers marched down the field to open the second half, in part from a 19-yard scramble by Swann. However, the drive stalled and they came away with a field goal to extend the lead.
App State continued to pile it on with another passing touchdown, this time to redshirt junior wide receiver Kanen Hamlett.
Charlotte found life at the end of the third quarter with a 47-yard pass completion to get into scoring range.
However, the Mountaineers sniffed out an option play and forced a fumble which they recovered.
App State took a commanding 27-3 lead into the final quarter.
A targeting penalty and a pass interference got the ball moving for the 49ers.
Charlotte capitalized with a 16-yard passing touchdown to graduate receiver E. Jai Mason. They completed the 2-pt conversion with some razzle dazzle. The score now stood 27-11.
The App State rushing attack took them into the red zone and it was capped off with a touchdown pass to freshman receiver Alex Sanchez.
This was the nail in the coffin.
Key Players for the Mountaineers
Swann finished with 368 passing yards and 3 touchdowns in a dazzling debut. He tacked on 25 rushing yards.
Barnes had the early fumble but made up for it with six receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown.
Dubinion was a workhorse with 22 rushes for 111 yards and a touchdown.
McBurrows recorded 6 tackles and an interception to anchor the defense.
Key Players for the 49ers
Harrell struggled with only 142 passing yards and a touchdown.
Redshirt junior running back CJ Strokes was one of the bright spots for the 49ers offense with 15 rushing attempts for 49 yards.
Junior linebacker Kadin Schmitz shined in his debut in the green and gold with a team high 9 tackles.
Looking Ahead
App State will host Lindenwood, an FCS opponent at home on Saturday at 3:30. This should be another good chance to build momentum as they look ahead to the first conference foe of the season, Southern Miss.
Max Schwanz is the sports editor for The Appalachian, the student newspaper at Appalachian State University. A journalism major and digital marketing minor from Cornelius, N.C., you can find more of his work at The Appalachian.
