Three questions as the Mountaineers kick off the 2026 campaign
Updated: 6 days ago
Year one under head coach Dowell Loggains was turbulent, by nearly any measure. A tragedy off the field, midseason dismissals and a 5-8 finish sent the Apps reeling into the offseason.
Heading into 2026, Coach Loggains and the entire program is looking for a reset. Given the benefit of a full offseason, the staff brought in a heralded recruiting class and some key acquisitions in the transfer portal. In all, 73 new faces are on a roster built around a few key returning players.
Running back Trigg Lewis, middle linebacker Colton Phares and three starters on the offensive line will provide the majority of the Mountaineers' limited continuity as they take the field for the first time against Maine.
With the season upon us, there are three key things I will be looking for on Saturday.
Is Singleton ready for his close-up?
Of the transfer portal additions, none will be more closely scrutinized than quarterback Malachi Singleton. Loggains pursued him heavily in the 2025 offseason before losing out to Purdue and the second time around, he got his man. With their shared history at Arkansas, there is familiarity between the two and he was named QB1 without the drama of last year.
To this point, Singleton has been efficient in his time at Arkansas and Purdue, completing 65% of his passes with a 3:1 TD to INT ratio, while adding some explosive plays with his legs. However, his work has mostly come in spot duty, out of packages designed to take advantage of his dynamic ability as a running threat.
A 4-star recruit to Arkansas, he flashed his play making ability by earning Freshman of the Week honors in a road win at Tennessee. He will be the best athlete the Apps have had under center in years, bringing a new dimension to the offense.
Voted team captain, the offense is now unquestionably his. How will he respond to the biggest workload of his collegiate career?
What will be the offensive identity?
A year ago, the Appalachian offense never seemed to truly figure out a strength that they could rely on under pressure. This led to uneven performances throughout the year, with some games of 50+ pass attempts and others where the run game did the heavy lifting. Much of that can be attributed to a revolving door at quarterback and other key injuries but if the new look Mountaineers are to be successful, they have to own a style of play and dictate that to their opponent.
Returning three starters on the offensive line (two for now, as Cayden Sweatt recovers from an injury sustained in fall camp), an explosive quarterback in Singleton and what should be a deep running back room, the formula for success seems clear. Establishing the run to open up the pass would signal a return to the App State offensive approach that was the program's calling card during their dominant years.
The two open questions that will determine how effective this offense can be is the cohesiveness of the offensive line and identifying playmakers among the wide receivers. While the game plan may not be for Singleton to air it out on a weekly basis, he must know who he can trust on key third downs and who can be a home run threat if the defense sells out on the run.
Alex Sanchez and Sam Mbake both return as outside options, along with Samford transfer Sam Pickett and Gardner-Webb transfer Chris Lofton. In the slot, JuCo newcomer Nate Branch should also have an immediate role.
The Apps wanting to run an RPO-based, run heavy scheme should come as no surprise. There are some key pieces in place but like every team in the portal era, nearly as many unknowns.
Will the speed be on display?
Two themes we have heard throughout the offseason about this year's roster compared to last is depth and speed. Getting more athletic under center, at linebacker and in the secondary were top priorities in the offseason and the staff seems to feel that they accomplished that mission.
Particularly in the season opener against an FCS opponent, that speed advantage should be apparent. Greater overall team speed and deeper rotations should allow the Apps to wear Maine down as this new group of players settles into their first game action together.
I will be watching to see how the linebackers cover sideline to sideline, the explosiveness of the defensive line and how easily the receivers can get separation. If they are unable to do that on Saturday, it raises some major questions about how well the Mountaineers will be able to hold up in a stretch of three in-state FBS contests.
On the other hand, while a convincing win against a CAA program would not erase all doubt by any stretch, it would be an important first step in the right direction.
Comments