BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University football fell into a 20-0 hole less than 19 minutes into the game and never recovered in a 47-21 loss to South Alabama on Saturday evening at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
South Alabama (3-2, 2-1 Sun Belt) racked up 582 yards of offense — including 192 in the first quarter and 346 in the first half — to hand Appalachian State (1-4, 0-2 Sun Belt) the defeat in its first Sun Belt Conference home game.
South Alabama scored on four of its first six possessions to jump out to the commanding 20-0 lead with 6:26 to go in the first half. USA's advantage could have been even bigger but App State blocked one field-goal attempt and the Jaguars missed another.
Despite facing the 20-point deficit, Appalachian State appeared to grab momentum midway through the second quarter after South Alabama's Maleki Harris delivered a vicious hit to the head of Appalachian wideout Simms McElfresh. Harris was ejected following the targeting foul and three plays later, Taylor Lamb threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Malachi Jones and the Mountaineers cut the deficit to 20-7.
After the score, Appalachian forced South Alabama to punt for the first time but the Mountaineers couldn't score again before the halftime and went into the break trailing 20-7.
App State's hopes of a second-half comeback evaporated when South Alabama scored touchdowns on each of its first three possessions after the break to take an insurmountable 40-7 lead.
The Mountaineers found paydirt twice in the fourth quarter on touchdown passes from Lamb to senior tight end Drew Bailey and backup quarterback Kameron Bryant to true freshman receiver Isaiah Lewis but it was not enough to avoid suffering their worst home loss in nearly 30 years, dating back to a 34-7 defeat at the hands of Western Carolina on Oct. 6, 1984.
Making his third-career start, Lamb rushed for a career-high 78 yards on 13 carries (6.0 avg.) but completed just 16-of-30 passes for 152 yards, which was his lowest total since taking over the starting role. Jones was his top target with four catches for 64 yards and a score.
Quarterback Brandon Bridge led South Alabama's 582-yard performance by completing 19-of-28 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns while running nine times for 23 yards and a score. His favorite target was Shavarez Smith, who caught six passes for 133 yards and two scores.
Appalachian State linebacker John Law led all tacklers with 11.
The Mountaineers look to get back on track next Saturday when they host Liberty for homecoming at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
NOTES: South Alabama's 582 yards were the most that Appalachian State has allowed since The Citadel racked up 618 yards in a 52-28 win at Kidd Brewer Stadium on Sept. 15, 2012 ... the 582 yards are the second-most that USA has ever amassed in its six-year football history (record: 630 versus Troy in 2013) ... Lamb's two touchdown passes matched a career high ... Bailey's fourth-quarter touchdown catch was his first reception since he caught a 10-yard touchdown against Illinois State in the second round of the 2012 NCAA Division I FCS playoffs ... Lewis' touchdown catch was the first of his career ... Appalachian State sophomore running back Marcus Cox had just 16 yards on eight carries, matching the lowest rushing total of his 17-game career (he had 16 yards on three carries in his collegiate debut at Montana on Aug. 31, 2013) ... Appalachian State fell to 68-13 in its last 81 home games ... Saturday's attendance of 24,215 marked the 53rd time in the last 54 regular-season home games that Appalachian State has played in front of a crowd larger than Kidd Brewer Stadium's official seating capacity (which is currently 23,150) ... former Appalachian State coach Jerry Moore was honored with pregame and halftime tributes in recognition of his upcoming induction in the College Football Hall of Fame.
