BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University football strapped on full pads for the first time this fall on Tuesday afternoon at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

With it being the fifth practice of the year, Tuesday was the first day that NCAA regulations permits players to don full pads. Luckily for the Mountaineers, most of the two-hour-and-45-miute practice was held under overcast skies, which gave temporary relief from the balmy conditions that have been a staple of camp to this point.

With the squad in full pads, the customary 11-on-11 work near the end of practice took on some added intrigue. The highlights included:

• an impressive showing by quarterback DeAndre Presley. The sophomore displayed accuracy and a strong arm throughout the afternoon, most notably on a string of four completions in five attempts for 82 yards early in the 11-on-11 sessions.

• wide receiver Brian Quick serving as Presley's primary target. The 6-5 sophomore hauled in a 12-yard pass from Presley on the right sideline and turned in perhaps the play of the day when he caught a pass over the middle, bounced off several would-be tacklers, found daylight on the right side and took it in for a 45-yard touchdown.

• Presley's near-perfect day ruined by sophomore cornerback Ed Gainey, who stepped in front of a pass intended for Tavaris Washington and returned the interception to paydirt.

• a terrific catch by true freshman Jamill Lott on a pass from Presley over the middle, which was immediately followed by a big hit from senior linebacker Jacque Roman. Lott held onto the ball for a 10-yard gain.

• a good afternoon from senior receiver CoCo Hillary. He imitated Quick's bowling-ball routine by shedding a tackle en route to a 24-yard gain early in the period and used his speed to out-race defenders to the end zone on a 25-yard pass from Travaris Cadet.

• Cadet on the front end of a nice pitch-and-catch to true freshman Tony Washington, who balanced to stay in bounds on the left sideline despite tight coverage.

•  pass break-ups on back-to-back plays late in the session by junior defensive end Jabari Fletcher and freshman defensive back Dominique McDuffie.

Appalachian holds its first two-a-day practices of the year on Wednesday.

FAN FEST JUST 11 DAYS AWAY: ASU's annual Fan Fest is just 11 days away. The meet-and-greet at Kidd Brewer Stadium is set for Saturday, August 22 beginning at 4 p.m.

Mountaineer players and coaches will be available for autographs and photos on the KBS turf from 4-5:30 p.m., as well as inflatable rides and face painting by ASU cheerleaders for the kids. Fans will also get their first glimpse at the new Yosef mascot that will patrol the sidelines for the Mountaineers in 2009.

At 6 p.m., the Apps will hold their final scrimmage before the Sept. 5 season opener at East Carolina. The ASU Marching Band, North Carolina's Band of Distinction, will perform their gameday hits during the intrasquad scrimmage.

Admission to the event is FREE.