BOONE, N.C. — A closer look at the numbers and a dig through the archives shows that Appalachian State University redshirt freshman Taylor Lamb turned in one of the best performances in school history by a quarterback making his first-career start on Saturday night at Southern Miss.

Lamb completed 28-of-40 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns in his starting debut, a heartbreaking 21-20 loss at Southern Miss. The 28 completions were the most ever by an Appalachian State quarterback in his first-career start while the 264 passing yards ranked second all-time among Mountaineers making his first start. Bake Baker holds the passing-yardage record with 298 against Marshall in his first-career start on Oct. 26, 1996.

Lamb will be behind center again on Thursday when Appalachian State (1-2) opens Sun Belt Conference play at longtime rival Georgia Southern (2-2, 1-0 Sun Belt). Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPNU.

ESPNU ANNOUNCES TALENT FOR THURSDAY'S BROADCAST: Ryan Ruocco (play-by-play) and David Diaz-Infante (analyst) will call the action of Thursday's game for ESPNU.

NATIONWIDE RADIO BROADCAST TOO: In addition to being nationally televised, the Appalachian IMG Sports Network's broadcast of Thursday's game can also be heard nationwide on SiriusXM radio.

The Heritage Sports Network will pick up Appalachian State's radio broadcast as part of its “Legacy Series,” which nationally airs rivalry games each week.

David Jackson, Steve Brown and Randy Jackson's call can be heard on Sirius channel 126 and XM channel 201.

INAUGURAL SUN BELT HOME GAME TO AIR ON ESPN3: Appalachian State's inaugural Sun Belt Conference home game versus South Alabama on Oct. 4 will air live on ESPN3, the Sun Belt and ESPN announced on Monday.

ESPN3, ESPN's online platform, is available in approximately 85 million homes nationwide as well as to 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel. ESPN3 is also available through Xbox LIVE and on smartphones, tablets and Apple TV via the WatchESPN app. Check with your internet or mobile service provider to see if you receive ESPN3 programming.

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Kidd Brewer Stadium. In addition to being the Mountaineers' first-ever Sun Belt home game, Appalachian State will also honor former head coach Jerry Moore with tributes prior to and throughout the game. For tickets, click HERE, call (828) 262-2079 or visit the Appalachian State athletics ticket office, located at the Holmes Center.