Appalachian State football returns home for a Thursday night rivalry clash against 3-5 Georgia Southern. The Mountaineers will be on the national stage for the fourth time this season. They have struggled in the spotlight thus far, going 1-2. If the lights are too bright they could stumble their way to a losing record for the season.
“Excited about a night game at home versus a rival coming off a bye week,” head coach Dowell Loggains said.
This rivalry is tied at 13-13 dating back to 1987, however the home team usually dominates with each team holding a 10-3 record at home, according to App State Athletics.
This is Loggains’ first game in this rivalry but he understands the stakes.
“You educate your team on what this thing is because that’s part of who you are,” Loggains said.
App State vs. Georgia Southern How To Watch
Matchup: Georgia Southern (3-5, 1-3 Sun Belt) at Appalachian State (4-4, 1-3)
Where: Kidd Brewer Stadium | Boone, NC
Kickoff: Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
TV/Streaming: ESPN2
Last Meeting: Georgia Southern 29, Appalachian State 20 (Nov. 30, 2024)
Latest Line: App State -6.5 | Over/Under 62.5 (Draft Kings)
2025 Schedule: View Appalachian State’s complete schedule with results & upcoming games
𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 | 🎙️@Dowell_Loggains
Full press conference:
▶️ https://t.co/TLrxWaV9uI#GoApp #BeatSouthern pic.twitter.com/si7ZvGUEjH— App State Football (@AppState_FB) November 3, 2025
Last Time Out For App State
App State (4-4, 1-3 Sun Belt) is coming off of a 24-21 loss at Old Dominion on Oct. 25. The Mountaineers struggled on the ground, recording only 73 yards compared to the Monarchs 149 yards.
Another quarterback controversy is brewing with redshirt sophomore quarterback JJ Kohl being pulled against ODU after throwing two interceptions. Redshirt junior quarterback AJ Swann stepped in and threw two touchdowns, but App State fell just short of a comeback.
App State Key Players
Kohl has started the last four games for App State, with a record of 2-2. He struggled against Old Dominion which could reopen the quarterback competition. On the other side, Swann started the first four games of the season, but after battling injury and throwing six interceptions in three games he was benched.
Now healthy, Swann could be a viable option to end the season. Loggains did not name a starting quarterback in his Monday press conference.
Redshirt senior tight end Izayah Cummings was carted off the field in an aircast at ODU with a season ending leg injury. Prior to the injury, Cummings was a reliable target with 37 receptions for 374 yards and a touchdown. He will be a big loss for the Mountaineers.
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Colton Phares continues to anchor the defense. Against the Monarchs, he recorded a season high 11 tackles. Phares leads the team with 60 total tackles.
📅 WHO’S PLAYING THIS WEEK? Explore the full schedule for North Carolina college football teams, including FBS, FCS, D2, D3 and NJCAA.
Georgia Southern Key Players
Redshirt junior quarterback JC French IV takes the snaps for the Eagles. French spent time at Memphis before landing in Statesboro. So far this season he has thrown for 1,677 yards with 14 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He is also a threat with his legs adding 5 more touchdowns on the ground.
Senior wide receiver Camden Brown is the leading receiver with 642 yards and nine touchdowns. He is a clear WR1 for the Eagles with the next closest receiver having 333 yards and three touchdowns. The Mountaineer secondary will have to keep an eye on him.
On the defensive side of the ball, redshirt junior linebacker Branson Tyson leads with 58 tackles and an interception. Tyson could be a problem for App State in the run game.
Keys to App State Victory
The Mountaineers will need to find their identity on offense. At this point in the season there is still not a clear QB1 and the backfield is seeing two talented running backs split carries.
They will need to decide who will command the ship and how heavily they want to lean on the run. The offense will need to come to play in order to avoid an upset.
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.
