It's hard enough for a college football player, who has been a starter all through high school, to suddenly be a backup. It's even harder when that player sitting on the bench is backing up an All-American. In the case of Appalachian State backup safeties Titus Howard and Billy Riddle, they play understudy to a pair of All-Americans. Riddle, a rising junior, backs up Corey Lynch, Appalachian State's first-team All-American safety, as chosen by I-AA.org (second team by The Sports Network and the Associated Press). Lynch is considered one of the top defenders in Division I-AA football and is likely to be a Buck Buchanan Award candidate. Howard, a rising junior, backs up Jeremy Wiggins, who earned third-team All-American honors in 2005 from The Sports Network. Wiggins saw some time at receiver during the Mountaineers' scrimmage Sunday at Kidd Brewer Stadium, but with the depth returning at receiver this fall, Wiggins will likely be back at safety. That leaves Riddle and Howard looking for playing time whenever they can get it. It does not mean that both are looking to leave on the first bus out of Boone. Riddle said he knows the talent Lynch has, but also feels he is an important part of the team. Riddle saw plenty of time on special teams last year and wants to keep himself ready to play safety just in case he is needed. "It was frustrating at first, being a star in high school," Riddle said. "But then I realized that everybody out there was a star in high school. You have to know what your role is on the team. My role is just as important, being a back-up and pushing Corey to the level he's at and making him better every day. He can't be comfortable at his position because there are two or three guys who want to be out there and who are just as good as him. The depth we have at second string and third string is pushing those guys." Riddle and Howard had outstanding performances during Sunday's scrimmage. Riddle intercepted two passes in the beginning of the event, returning them for a combined 62 yards. "I told Corey that I felt like (him)," Riddle said. "Everything dropped into my hands." It was a similar day for Howard, who returned one interception for 61 yards and a touchdown and scooped up a fumble and raced 74 yards for another score on the scrimmages' final play. Howard also knows that his role will be as a backup and special teams player this year. He knows he has to be patient and when called on, to perform without the defense suffering any letdown. However, Howard also backs up cornerbacks Jerome Touchstone and Justin Woazeah, so the need to be ready to play two positions keeps Howard busy. He said he's learned plenty from Wiggins, a senior, and senior backup cornerback Dominick Dingle. "Jeremy Wiggins is a good player and I've learned a lot from him," Howard said. "Dominick Dingle has helped me out and kept me straight. I'll have my chance to start."