App State football got back into the win column in dramatic fashion Saturday, beating Oregon State 27-23 to snap a two-game losing streak. Redshirt sophomore quarterback JJ Kohl was a major piece in the victory during his first start as a Mountaineer. The defense came up with an interception with 20 seconds left on the clock to seal the win.
Head coach Dowell Loggains was pleased with the win: “Today we showed what this place is about and who these kids are, and they played with all their heart,” Loggains said.
Tale of the Tape
The Mountaineers defense did not allow a score in the first quarter. The first drive of the game for App State resulted in a field goal.
The Beavers fumbled the kickoff on the next play giving the ball back to Kohl and the offense. Kohl punched the ball into the end zone with a 6-yard touchdown run making the score 10-0.
Following an Oregon State punt, Kohl found redshirt sophomore wide receiver Davion Dozier for a 68-yard completion to the 5-yard line. Senior running back Rashod Dubinion scored on a 2-yard run increasing the lead to 17.
The Beavers finally moved the ball at the start of the second quarter but missed a field goal.
However, after an App State punt, a 30-yard touchdown run from redshirt sophomore wide receiver David Wells Jr. put Oregon State on the board. They did not stop there, capitalizing on another Mountaineer punt. This time with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Wells Jr. tightening the score to 17-14.
𝐇𝐈𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐊 🎮@JuanBerchal 👊🏽 @ZyeirGamble_ #GoApp pic.twitter.com/fBZz19UKdj — App State Football (@AppState_FB) October 5, 2025
At the start of the third quarter, the Mountaineers scored on a long 13-play drive. A 28-yard touchdown pass from Kohl to Dozier increased the lead to 24-14.
Oregon State responded with a touchdown pass of their own with a 15-yard touchdown pass, cutting the lead to 3. The Mountaineers scored their last points of the game with a field goal at the end of the third quarter.
It was all on the defense in the fourth quarter. Both teams punted on their first drive. On the Beavers second drive, redshirt sophomore linebacker Colton Phares intercepted the ball in the end zone to maintain the lead.
After yet another Mountaineer punt, the defense stopped Oregon State from punching the ball in from the 1-yard line on three straight plays. On fourth down, Myles Farmer and Colton Phares stacked up Anthony Hankerson for a 2-yard loss.
However, Dubinion fumbled the ball into the end zone on App’s first play which Kohl recovered for a safety. That left the score 27-23.
The defense came to the rescue for a final time. A huge hit from freshman defensive back Juan Berchal popped the ball up into the air and it was intercepted by redshirt sophomore defensive back Zyeir Gamble to solidify the win.
Key Players for the Mountaineers
In his first start of the season, Kohl threw for 218 yards and a touchdown. He also added a touchdown on the ground. The Mountaineers have not had steady quarterback play, but Kohl stepped up to end the losing streak.
Dubinion recorded 98 yards on the ground and a touchdown, a down game to his standards. The 98 yards are the second lowest of the season, other than 95 against Southern Miss.
Dozier reeled in 4 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown – his first catches of the season. He recorded a chunk of his yards on a 68-yard reception.
Phares led the team in tackles for the third time this season with 10. He also had a clutch interception in the end zone to keep the Beavers off the board.
Key Players for the Beavers
Redshirt junior quarterback Maalik Murphy threw for 358 yards with 2 touchdowns but also had 2 interceptions. Murphy, who transferred after playing at Duke last season, threw 45 passes to keep Oregon State in the game.
Redshirt senior wide receiver Trent Walker caught 13 passes for 179 yards. It seemed like he was always open and Murphy made sure to look for him.
Sophomore linebacker Dexter Foster held it down on defense for the Beavers with a game high 11 tackles.
Looking Ahead
The Mountaineers will take the momentum to Atlanta to play Georgia State on Saturday. The game will kickoff at 3:30 p.m.
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.
