Appalachian State football welcomed Georgia Southern for a prime time Thursday night game. But the visiting Eagles added another win in the “Deeper Than Hate” rivalry with a 25-23 victory. The Mountaineer defense struggled, allowing 352 passing yards and 142 rushing yards.
A late push from the Mountaineers was not enough to secure a win.
“Obviously a tough loss. We started way too slow in the game,” head coach Dowell Loggains said. “Tomorrow is going to be a big day for us to put this thing to bed and move forward.”
Tale of the Tape
The Eagles started the game with a 44 second scoring drive. Two quick screens from JC French IV to senior running back OJ Arnold and a 47-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Marcus Sanders Jr. made the score 6-0, but they failed on the two-point conversion.
Redshirt junior quarterback AJ Swann started his first game since Boise State on Sept. 27. He found redshirt sophomore receiver Davion Dozier for a 36-yard completion for their initial first down of the game. However, a failed fourth down conversion handed the ball back to the Eagles.
The App State defense forced a three and out, putting the ball back in Swann’s hands, but they matched with a three and out of their own.
Georgia Southern marched down the field and into the red zone off a 17-yard reception from Sanders. The front seven held strong and forced a field goal.
The Mountaineers recorded another three and out, not gaining a single yard on the drive. The Eagles easily moved into the red zone once again. They went on to attempt a field goal that was nowhere near the uprights, keeping the score 9-0.
A 12-yard reception by junior wide receiver Jaden Barnes ended the first quarter, and got the App State drive started. Loggains elected to pass on a fourth and two. The pass was knocked down making the Mountaineers 0-2 on fourth down conversations.
A 29-yard reception for Sanders moved the Eagles into the red zone once again. Georgia Southern capitalized on the drive with a 3-yard rushing touchdown from French, extending their lead to 16.
The Eagles ended the half by once again strolling down the field and into the 10-yard line. They came away with another field goal taking a 19 point lead.
App State finally found some momentum in the final minute of the first half, with a 8 play 43-yard drive that ended in a 36-yard field goal. The Mountaineers received the ball to start the second half, looking to capitalize off of the momentum. However, a three and out sent the ball right back to Georgia Southern.
A 38-yard completion moved the Eagles into the red zone once again. The Eagles made their third field goal of the night.
App State marched down the field, and finally converted on fourth down with a 32-yard completion to Barnes. They finally found the endzone with a completion to redshirt senior tight end David Larkins. A failed two-point conversion made the score 22-9.
A sack from redshirt sophomore linebacker Colton Phares ended the Georgia Southern drive. Another fourth down conversion for the Mountaineers kept the drive alive. Freshman running back Jaquari Lewis finished the drive with a 27-yard touchdown run, cutting the lead to six.
The defense continued to struggle allowing the Eagles to get into the red zone, where they made another field goal.
App State wasted no time on their next drive with a 34-yard completion to Barnes. Faced with a fourth and 14, Swann found Barnes to keep the drive alive. A few plays later, Swann threw an interception with just under seven minutes left in the game.
The Mountaineers got the ball back with five minutes left in the game down nine. Facing yet another fourth down, this time 16-yards, Swann found Dozier for the first down. Swann found Barnes for a 15-yard touchdown, making the score 25-23 with just under two minutes remaining.
Georgia Southern recovered the onside kick and ran the clock out, securing the win.
Key Players for the Mountaineers
Swann finished the game with an impressive 348 yards and 2 passing touchdowns, in his first start in four games. Despite the loss, he had an impressive return.
Dubinion and Lewis were barely utilized in the run game, combining for 90 yards and a touchdown. The Mountaineers will need to utilize the run game in remaining games.
Barnes recorded a game-high 13 receptions for 160 yards and a touchdown. The next closest guy was Dozier with 62 yards. After taking a back seat in previous weeks, Barnes looks like a premier player in this offense.
Redshirt junior defensive back DJ Burks led the defense with 12 total tackles, while also adding a pass deflection.
Key Players for the Eagles
French tallied a career high 352 passing yards. He also had a touchdown through the air and on the ground. Senior wide receiver Dalen Cobb dominated the first half recording all 8 of his receptions for 57 yards.
Sanders was French’s favorite target, reeling in 6 catches for 127 yards and a touchdown.
Seventh-year senior linebacker, and App State transfer, Brendan Harrington showed out, recording 8 total tackles and a pass deflection.
Looking Ahead
The Mountaineers will travel to Harrisonburg, Virginia to face off against James Madison on Nov. 15. Kickoff is slated for 3:30. This will be a tough test for App State. JMU is 7-1 overall, 5-0 in Sun Belt play.
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.
