Sun Belt 365: Appalachian State football in focus

The Sun Belt Conference is showcasing each of its 14 football members in the lead-up to the start of the regular season. Here is the SBC’s overview of Appalachian State, posted Aug. 10.

NEW ORLEANS — App State will commence its 2023 season on Saturday, Sept. 2, when it plays host to Gardner-Webb at 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+. 

App State is 3-0 all-time against Gardner-Webb, including a 72-7 victory in the teams’ last meeting in 2018.

The Mountaineers non-conference schedule also features trips to North Carolina (Sept. 9) and Wyoming (Sept. 23) and a much-anticipated home game against East Carolina (Sept. 16), which has already been announced as a sellout. In addition to annual dates with its East Division counterparts, App State’s conference slate includes a trip to ULM (Sept. 30) and a home game against Southern Miss (Oct. 28) out of the West Division.

App State was picked to finish second in the East Division in last month’s 2023 Sun Belt Conference Football Preseason Coaches Poll.

Head coach Shawn Clark will lead a roster that returns four All-Sun Belt honorees from 2022 and had three players listed on the 2023 Preseason All-Sun Belt teams.

The Mountaineers went 6-6 overall and 3-5 in conference play in 2022, snapping a string of seven-straight bowl appearances to open their FBS era. App State has advanced to a bowl game in seven of the past eight seasons, winning six. 

Listen to head coach Shawn Clark, senior offensive lineman Isaiah Helms and senior safety Nick Ross’ comments from the 2023 Sun Belt Football Media Days.

Appalachian State football schedule

9/2      Gardner-Webb
9/9      at North Carolina
9/16    East Carolina
9/23    at Wyoming
9/30    at ULM*
10/10  Coastal Carolina*
10/21  at Old Dominion*
10/28  Southern Miss*
11/4    Marshall*
11/11  at Georgia State*
11/18  at James Madison*
11/25  Georgia Southern*
* Sun Belt Conference Game 

2022 All-Sun Belt Returners

Third Team
OL – Isaiah Helms, App State (Sr., OL – Hudson, N.C.) 
RS – Milan Tucker, App State (RS Jr., RS – Lehigh Acres, Fla.) 

Honorable Mention
RB – Nate Noel (Jr., RB – Miami, Fla.) 
WR – Kaedin Robinson (RS Jr., WR – Asheville, N.C.) 

2023 Preseason All-Sun Belt Selections

First Team
OL – Isaiah Helms, App State (Sr., OL – Hudson, N.C.) 
RS – Milan Tucker, App State (RS Jr., RS – Lehigh Acres, Fla.) 

Second Team
OL – Damion Daley, App State (RS Sr., OL – Columbia, S.C.)  

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More Appalachian State Headlines From NC Football News

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  Belichick-To-UNC Caps Latest Round of Coaching Hires Across North CarolinaDecember 13, 2024
  ECU, Charlotte, App State, NC A&T find new head coaches; Davidson, Shaw, Elizabeth City State searches continue
• 
  LOOKING AHEAD! Early peek at 2025 NC college football scheduleDecember 10, 2024
  Charlotte-App State, ECU-NC State to meet on Labor Day weekend
• 
  Appalachian State Football Names Dowell Loggains New Head CoachDecember 8, 2024
  Dowell Loggains has NFL and college coaching experience
• 
  Coaching News: Seriously, Belichick To UNC? Will Charlotte Ever Hire A Coach? Duke Losing Key AssistantDecember 7, 2024
  Checking in on the latest NC college football coaching carousel happenings
• 
  Neal Brown Emerges As A Top Candidate for Appalachian State, Charlotte Coaching JobsDecember 3, 2024
  Ex-West Virginia Coach Neal Brown Linked to Appalachian State, Charlotte Searches

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Eric Lusk started NC Football News in 2023. He's an old newspaper guy with a fondness for underdogs, redemption stories and the triple-option offense. He's a proud graduate of Jesse O. Sanderson High School and UNC's School of Journalism. He's thankful for God's mercy, family and second chances.

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