LAFAYETTE, La. – Appalachian State rolled up 280 yards of offense and four sacks in the first half to seize control early in an impressive 24-0 win at Louisiana on Wednesday night.
The win is App State's (4-2, 2-0) third straight and eighth consecutive on the road in Sun Belt play dating back to last season. The Mountaineers pitched a shutout for the first time since a 49-0 win early in 2015 at Old Dominion. It was also the first time the Ragin' Cajuns were shutout at home since a loss to North Texas in October of 2002.
The Mountaineers put together another dominant opening half, scoring on their first four possessions, to take most of the drama out of the game. Quarterback Taylor Lamb was 12-for-16 for 187 yards and an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Collin Reed. Wideout Shaedon Meadors had five catches for 120 yards in the opening half, including a 56-yard completion on the Apps' first snap to set the tone.
Big plays early in the passing game opened up the run on ensuing possessions. Jalin Moore recorded 77 yards on 10 carries that included a 41-yard run early in the second to push the lead to 17-0. The long touchdown run gave the App State defense all it would need for the rest of the contest.
Putting the Ragin' Cajuns behind early opened the door for the Mountaineers' pass rush. Defensive tackle Dezmin Reed picked up two of App's five sacks, and Kennan Gilchrist recorded 10 stops as App shutout a Sun Belt opponent in the opening half for the second consecutive game. The Mountaineers finished with 10 tackles for loss in holding UL to 267 yards of total offense.
The App defense frustrated UL quarterback Anthony Jennings into a barrage of short completions. He was 19-of-32 for only 121 yards. The Mountaineers had some help on preserving the shutout. Kicker Stevie Artigue's 49-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter hit square in the middle of the let upright. He also hooked a 40-yard attempt.
Bentlee Critcher had another strong outing, punting six times for a 48.2 average and four more kicks inside the 20, bringing his total to eight in Sun Belt play alone.
Collin Reed finished with four receptions for 27 yards and a TD. Running back Josh Boyd saw his first action of the season, rushing seven times for 42 yards.
App has another half week off before hosting Idaho on Oct. 22 for homecoming. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
-App State-
