Postgame Notes from App State at Wyoming

POSTGAME NOTES: Wyoming 22, App State 19
 
App State lost its nonconference finale despite holding a lead until the 1:52 mark of the fourth quarter and despite controlling the stats in total yardage (417 to 208), first downs (27 to 7), time of possession (40:25 to 19:35) and third down conversions (10-of-19 to 3-of-12).
 
The Mountaineers more than doubled the time of possession against a Wyoming team that entered the day ranked 12th in the nation averaging 33:30 per game.
 
App State is 2-2 through its first four games for the second straight year.
 
This was the first game in which App State did not score an offensive touchdown since a 2013 loss at Georgia (45-6).
 
OFFENSE
 
App State compiled 417 total yards (217 rushing, 200 passing) and 27 first downs, but failed to score a touchdown, settling for four field goals made on five attempts.
 
Nate Noel, the nation's leading rusher entering the weekend, rushed for 107 yards on a career-high 30 attempts, the third time in four games this season he has logged a career high in attempts. It was his fifth straight 100-yard game dating back to last year, becoming the first App State player to do that since Jalin Moore had six straight in 2016.
 
Joey Aguilar completed passes to nine different receivers.
 
DEFENSE
 
The Mountaineers held Wyoming's offense to just 208 yards, seven first downs and 3-of-12 third down conversions. Seventy-five of the Cowboys' 208 yards came on one play.
 
Tyrek Funderburk's fourth-quarter interception for a touchdown was App State's first pick-six since Trey Cobb against South Alabama in 2021. It gave App State a 19-7 lead with 11:42 left to play.
 
Solo sacks came from Nate Johnson and Andrew Parker Jr.
 
Trevor Moffitt tackled a Wyoming running back for a loss for a big stop on a third-and-1.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
 
Michael Hughes tied his career high with four made field goals – all in the first half – including a career-long 50-yarder that put the Mountaineers up 12-7 at the close of the first half. The 50-yarder was the longest by an App State kicker since Chandler Staton's 53-yarder against Georgia Southern in 2017.
 
Wyoming's blocked field goal and 62-yard return for a touchdown that was the eventual game winner was the first time App State has ever allowed a blocked field goal return for a score.