NEW ORLEANS — A quarterback in a black No. 24 jersey throwing passes. The player in a red No. 12 jersey lining up at outside linebacker.
Day 4 in New Orleans included App State's final team practice of the 2019 season, as the 20th-ranked Mountaineers (12-1) face UAB (9-4) on Saturday in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
Players ditched their normal workout jerseys for new numbers and colors Friday during their workout at the New Orleans Saints' practice facility in Metairie. Senior linebacker
Akeem Davis-Gaither swapped with quarterback
Zac Thomas, for instance, and the most thoughtful change involved senior safety
Josh Thomas.
When Thomas arrived at App State as a true freshman in 2015, his top choices for a jersey assignment were No. 7 and No. 26 — his beloved grandfather's birthday was Dec. 26. Thomas wore No. 26 as a true freshman but has been in No. 7 each of the last four seasons.
On Thursday, as a fitting bookend, he wore No. 26.
"My first practice was in 26 and my last practice was in 26," Thomas said. "It was just something cool we wanted to do with our last practice of the year — go out there and have fun. It was a long journey from that kid back then in 2015, but it's been a blessing."
Friday's team-related activities began with a pep-rally-style luncheon for both teams. Marching bands performed to welcome each team to the reception, and former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark served as the keynote speaker. He's a Super Bowl champion who grew up in Louisiana and attended LSU.
Busloads of App State fans arrived in New Orleans on Friday, making for a festive, energetic atmosphere at the team hotel. From 7 to 9 p.m., many of those App State supporters planned to gather at the fan headquarters located at Manning's Sports Bar & Grill.
By the end of that event, the Mountaineers would be less than 24 hours away from kickoff in their 2019 finale.
