BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State's defense finally surrendered a touchdown in Sun Belt play, but not until they scored one first.
Freshman Clifton Duck returned one of his two interceptions 44 yards for a touchdown and the App State defense nearly held a third consecutive Sun Belt opponent out of the end zone in a 37-19 win over Idaho on Saturday afternoon at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
Appalachian moves to 5-2 on the year and 3-0 in Sun Belt play, while Idaho falls to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
The Mountaineers intercepted Idaho three times and surrendered Idaho's only touchdown with four seconds left in the game. App scored on its first two possessions and pulled away with 13 quick points to open the second half to set up Thursday night's Sun Belt showdown against Georgia Southern in Statesboro.
Duck's interception opened App's lead to 20-6 early in third quarter after a tight, quickly-played opening half. Jalin Moore added a 5-yard touchdown plunge early in the fourth to open the lead to 30-9 and essentially put the game out of reach.
The App' defense bent, but held Idaho to three field goals on three trips into the red zone until closing seconds. The Vandals were just 2-of-12 on third down conversions and spread out four sacks. Safety Josh Thomas added a late interception in the fourth to set up a 18-yard touchdown catch for Dante Jones from J.P Caruso.
Linebacker Eric Boggs had a team-high seven tackles and a sack. Alex Gray and A.J. Howard both added six stops. The Mountaineers held Idaho quarterback to 26-of-41 for 294 yards and the late touchdown to go with three interceptions.
Wide out Shaedon Meadors had a career high seven catches for 123 yards and running back Jalin Moore went over 100 yards for the fourth consecutive game to power a balanced App State offense. Quarterback Taylor Lamb was 18-for-23 for 220 yards and rushed for a 2-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
App jumped to a 10-0 lead late in the first quarter as Taylor Lamb scampered in from two yards out, capping a 10-play, 80-yard drive that took over four minutes. Lamb was 3-of-4 on the drive for 33 yards and Darrynton Evans had a 25-yard run to set the Apps up inside the five.
Freshman Michael Rubino was 2-for-3 on field goals, connecting twice from 24 yards out and once from 28. Idaho's Austin Rehkow was 4-for-4 with a long of 46 yards.
The Vandals moved the ball effectively in the opening half, but were just 1-for-6 on third downs and couldn't run the ball on the App defense in the red zone.
Idaho tight end Trent Cowan led all players with 10 receptions for 118 yards.
The Mountaineers have a short week before traveling to Georgia Southern on Thursday night for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff in Statesboro on ESPNU.
-App State-
