Mountaineers look to carry momentum back home in their Sun Belt opener

Photo: AgualloStudios.com

In game that was not pretty, could not have started any worse and saw two App State defenders tossed for targeting, the Apps found a way to escape Greenville with an in-state rivalry win over previously 2-0 East Carolina. Winning all three installments in the series since the Mountaineers' transition to the FBS level has its own benefits in North Carolina recruiting and alumni bragging rights but more importantly, it allowed the team to display their resiliency after being embarrassed by Clemson the week before.

It certainly had a "here we go again" feeling at the onset when for the second week in a row, the Appalachian defense got beat down the seam for a long touchdown pass on the third play from scrimmage. In the next 10 minutes of game time, the Pirates tacked on a field goal and a 50-yard pick six to take a 16-0 lead with just under five minutes to play in the opening quarter.

While the fans on both sides may have thought the rout was on, nobody told the Mountaineers, who locked in defensively and scored 21 unanswered points to take a 21-16 lead into the fourth quarter. ECU finally got back on the scoreboard with a 43-yard field goal but that was as close as they would get.

A Kaedin Robinson fumble ended what looked to be a sure scoring drive but the defense picked him up with a Seth Robertson interception three plays later. Then, as they have done so many times over the years, the App State offense sealed the deal by eating up the last four minutes of the game with a nine-play drive capped off by a 10-yard first down run from Anderson Castle.

Now, with a short week to prepare, the black and gold return to the friendly confines of Kidd Brewer Stadium to kick off their 2024 Sun Belt campaign against South Alabama.

Depth on display

Before kickoff on Saturday, the Mountaineers announced that four key defensive contributors would miss the game due to injuries. Nose tackle Markus Clark, defensive end Mike Fletcher, safety Myles Farmer and inside linebacker Derrell Farrar were all sidelined. In Monday's press conference, head coach Shawn Clark revealed that Clark and Farrar are out for the season.

On top of those losses, outside linebacker Nate Johnson and safety Jordan Favors were both ejected from the game for targeting while redshirt freshman nose tackle Jason Hertz went down with an injury. Fortunately, the defense was up to the challenge.

Joshua Donald had a great game at nose tackle, consistently occupying blockers in the middle and getting a push through the A gap. Redshirt freshman Cahari Haynes had his number called at inside linebacker and responded in a big way with four tackles and a key fourth quarter sack.

Redshirt sophomore DJ Burks saw time at free and strong safety, making an impact right away. His eight tackles were second on the team and he showed off the versatility that had defensive coordinator Scot Sloan calling his name in the offseason.

It seems likely that Mike Fletcher will be back at defensive end on Thursday but with two key losses for the season and several other question marks health wise, the Apps will need to continue leaning on their depth. The future looks bright for the younger crop of Mountaineers and for some, the future is now.

Slowing down the Jags

While the Apps have a short week to prepare for this contest, South Alabama benefits a full week after their game last Thursday with Northwestern State. In all honesty, it likely feels like a long week after they toyed with their FCS opponents in an 87-10 romp that was shortened due to the lopsided score.

The Jags put up video game numbers, amassing 620 yards of offense to go with touchdowns from their defense and special teams units. Starting quarterback Gio Lopez finished 15-for-19 with 257 yards and four touchdowns, while freshman running back Fluff Bothwell had 143 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries for an astounding 20.4 yards per rush.

Of course, some context is needed here, as Northwestern State also allowed 62 points to Tulsa in week one. In two games against Ohio and North Texas, South Alabama averaged 29 points and 462 yards of offense, so the weapons are there even if the 87-point outburst is an outlier.

Freshman quarterback Gio Lopez runs the show and he has been very efficient, completing 60% of his passes for seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Though he has only rushed for 66 yards in three games, he is an athlete who can extend plays or take off when he needs to.

Senior receiver Jamaal Pritchett, the Jags' second option a year ago, is firmly entrenched as the number one receiver and he is off to a hot start with touchdown catches in each of South Alabama's three games. Against an overmatched Northwester State, he only had two catches for 22 yards, so the majority of his damage (278 yards, 3 TD) has come against FBS competition. He is slight of frame but quick and dangerous in space.

Highly touted true freshman running back Fluff Bothwell has lived up to the hype early on as well. His production has increased each game and he has found the end zone four times in his first three career games. He is a big, physical 220-pound back that also has home run ability. Keeping him contained will be another focal point for the App State defense.

No rest for the weary

Playing third game in thirteen days, the Mountaineers will get a hard-earned break after Thursday, with a nine day layoff before Liberty visits The Rock on the 28th. The mental fatigue and physical wear and tear of consecutive road games will be an obstacle but they will have their home crowd behind them as they look to start conference play with a victory.

For as impressive as the Jags have been offensively, their defense has been vulnerable. In their two games against Group of Five opposition, the Jags have allowed right at 475 yards per game and just under 40 points.

Coming off Sun Belt player of the week honors with a 424-yard passing performance in Greenville, Joey Aguilar and the App State offense must take advantage of their opportunities on Thursday. In addition to Kaedin Robinson and Christian Horn, junior Makai Jackson has emerged as a major threat on the outside now that Robinson has worked primarily in the slot.

He has found the end zone in all three games (two receiving, one rushing) including the game winner on Saturday at East Carolina. His presence as a play maker will make life difficult on opposing defenses, as having a safety help with Robinson comes with significant risk down the field.

Where the Mountaineers really must improve is on the ground, as Kanye Roberts has yet to get on track in 2024 with an average of just 3.3 yards per carry and no touchdowns. Anderson Castle has assumed the lead back duties and made some big, physical runs to put the game away last week.

Roberts also showed signs of running more decisively but has yet to break the big one. Ultimately, the Apps need both backs to contribute but when it comes to game breaking ability, Kanye has abilities with the ball in his hands that are unmatched.

Of course, it starts up front with an offensive line that is full of new faces from a year ago. As a group, their pass protection has been excellent but the holes have not been there consistently in the run game which has been the Mountaineers' identity for decades.

Having faced two of the strongest run defenses they will see this season in the last two weeks, the black and gold need to impose their will on the ground to reach their championship aspirations this season and conference play is a great time to set the tone.

Prediction

The Jags are coming off their first ever bowl win in 2023, a 7-win season that ultimately saw Kane Wommack depart to stay in-state as the defensive coordinator at Alabama. Head coach Major Applewhite is in his fourth season with the program, spending the last three as offensive coordinator so there has been continuity on that side of the ball and as expected, better performance in the early going.

This is a very important game for the Mountaineers, who bring some momentum into Thursday after an emotional win at ECU. A victory would put the Apps in a great spot, sitting at 3-1 with some time to catch their breath before Liberty comes to town. On the other hand, a home loss on national television would linger and put them behind the 8-ball in the Sun Belt standings.

Appalachian will need to play to their potential against a game opponent with proven big play ability, which has been the Achilles heel of the defense. On paper, the Apps match up well offensively and if they are able to build on Saturday's second half defensive performance, they should come out on top.

Appalachian State 34, South Alabama 27