POSTGAME NOTES: App State 31, Marshall 9
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App State won with its largest margin of victory against a Sun Belt opponent since last year's 42-17 win against Georgia State.
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The Mountaineers now lead the all-time series with the Thundering Herd 16-10, including a 10-3 record in Boone. The teams are even at 2-2 with both squads playing at the FBS level.
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This was the largest margin of victory for an App State win over Marshall since 1985.
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The Mountaineers are 4-1 at The Rock this year. Their 52-10 record (.839 pct) in home games since making the transition to FBS in 2014 is seventh-best among all FBS teams (behind Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia, Oklahoma and Oregon).
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The result snapped a five-game streak of App State games decided in the closing seconds.
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App State's 84 wins since 2015 are tied with Notre Dame for sixth-most in the FBS behind Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State and Oklahoma.
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Attendance at Kidd Brewer Stadium was 34,057, the eighth-largest crowd in stadium history.
This was believed to be the first ever Saturday night game played in Boone in November or December.Â
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Earning their first career starts were wide receiver
Dalton Stroman and defensive tackle
Santana Hopper.
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OFFENSE
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App State eclipsed 30 points for the second straight game and the sixth time this season.
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Joey Aguilar again spread the ball to nine different receivers and compiled over 200 passing yards with three touchdowns and no turnovers.
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Aguilar has thrown multiple passing TDs in all but one game this season and leads the Sun Belt with 23.
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Kaedin Robinson led all receivers with four catches for 55 yards and a touchdown (his fifth of the season, tied for the team lead).
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Michael Hetzel had a career day with four catches for 46 yards and his first career touchdown.
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Milan Tucker, a preseason Hornung Award watch list candidate, had a 16-yard catch and also scored his first career rushing touchdown on a 3-yard reverse.
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Makai Jackson's only catch went for a 29-yard touchdown, the first score of his App State tenure.
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DEFENSE
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This was the fewest points allowed by App State's defense this year and the fewest against a Sun Belt opponent since beating Georgia Southern 27-3 in 2021.
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App State had three takeaways on interceptions, including safety
Jordan Favors' second and third of the year, as well as the first of outside linebacker
Donovan Spellman's career.
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The Mountaineers got three sacks – from Spellman, defensive end
Shawn Collins and cornerback
Trenton Alan Yowe.
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App State was in Marshall's backfield frequently, racking up eight total tackles for loss.
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SPECIAL TEAMS
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Michael Hughes connected on his lone field-goal attempt from 31 yards. He was also a perfect 4-of-4 on PATs.
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