BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State begins the homestretch of the 2016 season on Saturday with a visit from Idaho for homecoming. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
TICKETS: Fans can purchase single-game tickets for remaining home games online by clicking HERE, visiting the athletics ticket office, which is located inside the Holmes Center or by calling (828) 262-2079.
GAMEDAY CENTRAL
TIME: 3:30 p.m. ET – Kidd Brewer Stadium – Boone, N.C.
TV: ESPN3 (Matt Stewart - PxP, Forrest Conoly - Analyst)
Appalachian Sports Network: LISTEN LIVE (Adam Witten - PxP, Pierre Banks - Analyst, Karl Anderson - Sidelines)
App State (4-2, 2-0 Sun Belt) has won three straight and has opened Sun Belt play with consecutive wins behind an almost flawless defense paired with efficient, timely offense. The Mountaineers have played just once since Oct. 1 and are hoping to begin to get some key pieces back from injury.
In the meantime, App's “step up” factor off the bench has been off the charts and a big reason, Head Coach Scott Satterfield says, that the Mountaineers are playing at a high level no matter who is on the field.
“We're happy to be at 2-0 in our league right now,” Satterfield said. “We've battled a lot of injuries, the great thing is, we've had players step up in their place. We talked about it in camp, where you are in August is not where you're going to be six weeks into the season and those guys have stepped up. Every week it seems like a new player steps up.”
Last week, it was tight end Collin Reed jumping up with his first four career catches for 27 yards and a touchdown in Apps' shutout at UL Lafayette, 24-0. Defensively, linebacker Toronto Thomas and cornerback Tae Hayes both had career highs in tackles with five in the shutout. Running back Jalin Moore is averaging 171 yards per game over his last three games and has five rushing TDs. He had 27 carries for 244 yards in last season's win at Idaho.
Idaho (4-3, 2-1) rolls into Boone with the hopes of becoming a game shy of being bowl eligible. The Vandals have won 3-of-4 including a 55-23 drubbing of New Mexico State last week in the Kibbie Dome. Quarterback Matt Linehan had four touchdown passes and over 470 yards passing in the win. While the offense has been impressive, it's the Vandal's defense that has caught Satterfield's eye. Idaho has nine interceptions as a team, tied with App for second in the Sun Belt, and is fifth in league in rushing defense (181.1 yards per game).
“Defensively, they're much improved,” Satterfield added of Idaho. “I think that's where they've caught up and is what is different this year. Their offense and kicking games have always been good, but this year they're a much better defensive team, creating a lot of turnovers, running to the ball, tackling well, and making teams drive field for scores.
The Mountaineers will look for a repeat of last week's start at UL Lafayette.
App scored on their first four possessions – three touchdowns – and struck on the first play with a 56-yard pass from Taylor Lamb to Shaedon Meadors. Lamb tossed his 55th career touchdown pass in the win and need five more to move to second on App State's career list. App is seventh in scoring offense in the Sun Belt, averaging 23.3 points per game, but are averaging 31.8 per game against non-power five teams.
Defensively, App is playing at its highest level since joining the FBS and then some. Only three points allowed in back-to-back conference games are the fewest since 2002. The unit leads the Sun Belt in scoring defense at 18.8 points per game and is third in total defense allowing 364 yards per game. All of two yards per game separate App from league leader South Alabama in total defense. A late field goal by Georgia State are the only points the Apps have allowed since Sept. 24 at Akron.
SERIES: App leads the series with Idaho, 2-0. The Mountaineers have scored 47 and 45 points in the two meetings, winning 47-25 last season in Moscow, Idaho.
-App State-
