BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State ended the first half even more impressively than the Mountaineers began it, resulting in some helpful separation during a 56-41 victory against Charlotte on Saturday.
They needed every bit of it, with
Darrynton Evans answering each big second-half play from the 49ers.
"Any win is a good win," first-year head coach
Eliah Drinkwitz said. "I'm really proud of some guys stepping up and making some individual great plays."
In a White Out game that drew 29,182 fans to The Rock, Evans rushed for a career-high 234 yards and totaled four touchdowns, including an 87-yard run on the first play from scrimmage and a 68-yard touchdown run after Charlotte had cut its deficit to 42-34 midway through the fourth quarter.
The 49ers scored again on a 27-yard touchdown pass with 3:17 remaining, but Evans fielded the onside kick and sprinted 45 yards untouched for his school-record third touchdown via a kickoff return in his career. He finished with 298 all-purpose yards, and
Shaun Jolly's first career interception in the final minute sealed the victory for App State (2-0).
"Up front, the O-line, they did a good of job of opening up holes and pushing people where they need to be," Evans said. "Then, coaches with the play calls, they saw the right things up top, and relayed it down to the coaches on the field. We made it happen."
In addition to Evans' heroics,
Zac Thomas had three touchdown passes, including scoring connections of 10 and 73 yards with
Jalen Virgil.
Evans' career-long run gave App State the lead for good in the early going, but the 49ers (1-1) had possession facing a 14-13 deficit in the final 90 seconds of the half. Big plays on defense and special teams turned the one-point lead into a 28-13 advantage at the break.
Demetrius Taylor's forced fumble on a sack led to
Jordan Fehr's fumble recovery at the Charlotte 10, and Thomas threw a touchdown pass to Virgil on the next play to extend App State's lead with 1:14 left before halftime.
"Being able to make a big turnover like that, it's huge for our offense to give them life," Fehr said.
After using three timeouts while the App State defense forced a three-and-out punt, Jolly used his right hand to block the kick.
D'Marco Jackson scooped up the loose ball at the Charlotte 16 and raced down the left sideline to score his first career touchdown with 39 seconds remaining in the quarter.
Charlotte never had possession while facing a one-score deficit the rest of the way.
"I just saw it was a country ball, and we practice it over and over," Jackson said.
A country ball?
"Nobody's around it," Jackson said. "Just an easy scoop and go."
The 49ers opened the third quarter with a touchdown drive to again make it a one-possession game, but Evans' 3-yard touchdown run on the next series and Virgil's 73-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter increased App State's lead to 42-20.
Thomas absorbed a big hit while unleashing the deep throw to Virgil, who caught the ball at the Charlotte 42 and sprinted the rest of the way. Last week, Thomas and Virgil barely missed a big play on a slightly overthrown deep ball against East Tennessee State.
"Me and Zac actually live together," Virgil said, "and he was telling me, 'Man, I can't believe I overthrew you on that post.' I was like, 'Man, we're going to end up getting it eventually.' "
Virgil, who finished with three catches for 86 yards, also gained 45 yards on his first career kick return.
Thomas Hennigan had a receiving touchdown for the second straight game, scoring on a 5-yard pass from Thomas late in the first quarter, and
Malik Williams set career highs for both catches (six) and receiving yards (73).
Taylor and
Noel Cook posted 2.5 tackles for loss to lead App State's defense,
Nick Hampton produced 1.5 sacks and
Akeem Davis-Gaither had a hand in two sacks while recording a team-high nine tackles.
Appalachian State is off next weekend before returning to action at North Carolina on Sept. 21.
