GREENVILLE, N.C. – Behind sophomore quarterback Travaris Cadet, Appalachian State University football rallied from a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit with 17 points in the final period, but the comeback came up just short in a 29-24 season-opening loss to East Carolina on Saturday afternoon at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
Appalachian fell into a 24-0 hole less than 17 minutes into the contest and trailed 29-7 going into the fourth quarter. Three plays into the final period, ASU running back Devon Moore trimmed the deficit to 29-14 when he capped a 12-play, 55-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge.
On East Carolina's ensuing possession, the ASU defense posted an impressive three-and-out and Cadet gave the Apps their best field position of the day when he returned a punt by former Mountaineer Matt Dodge 19 yards to the ECU 38. Seven plays later, Cadet made it a one-possession ballgame when he scored from a yard out to cut ECU's advantage to 29-21.
The volume from the thousands of Black and Gold-clad faithful in attendance at sold-out Dowdy-Ficklen reached a fever pitch when Cortez Gilbert intercepted ECU's Patrick Pinkney at the ASU 33 yard line and returned it 16 yards to the 49.
Cadet marched the Mountaineers all the way to the 22 yard line but had to settle for a 43-yard field goal by Jason Vitaris with 3:24 to go after a misplayed snap exchange on second-and-seven stalled the potential game-tying drive.
Once again, the Mountaineer defense came up with a huge three-and-out and ASU got the ball back on its own 24 yard line with 1:28 left to play. The Apps moved to midfield with three-straight completions but Cadet was sacked on first-and-10 from the ASU 48 with less than a minute remaining. After killing the clock with a spike, Cadet found Blake Elder for an eight-yard gain but a pass to CoCo Hillary on fourth-and-10 was just out of his reach and the Appalachian comeback and upset bid ended with 16 seconds to go.
Making the loss even more heartbreaking for the Mountaineers is the fact that two second-half miscues cost the Apps the decisive five points. Vitaris pushed a 37-yard field-goal attempt wide right on Appalachian's first possession of the second half and punter Sam Martin was forced to concede a safety when he couldn't corral a high snap on ASU's next series.
“It’s like someone found a manic, doom-prophesying hobo in a sandwich board, shaved him, shot him full of Zoloft and gave him a show.” - The Buffalo Beast commenting on Glenn Beck
“It’s like someone found a manic, doom-prophesying hobo in a sandwich board, shaved him, shot him full of Zoloft and gave him a show.” - The Buffalo Beast commenting on Glenn Beck
I am too....with the crappy play we displayed in the 1st half, a bitter loss in an in-state bragging rights game may just be the wake up this team needs to focus for the rest of the year....a painful loss, but not necessarily a "bad" loss if used for proper motivation going forward...
BTW, I'll be pulling for both your teams next week...
Also, did UNI hire the Special Teams coach from Lloyd Carr's old staff at UM?
“It’s like someone found a manic, doom-prophesying hobo in a sandwich board, shaved him, shot him full of Zoloft and gave him a show.” - The Buffalo Beast commenting on Glenn Beck
Hey I just figured out...
(since nobody was helping) that East Carolina is Div.1 Conference USA (whatever that is..?)
So APP lost to a Div. 1 school - granted I've been watching college football my entire life and never heard of East Carolina - but Hey..!!! they should hold on to their ranking
Q: Name something that offends Republicans?
A: The actual teachings of Jesus
Hey I just figured out...
(since nobody was helping) that East Carolina is Div.1 Conference USA (whatever that is..?)
So APP lost to a Div. 1 school - granted I've been watching college football my entire life and never heard of East Carolina - but Hey..!!! they should hold on to their ranking
Not with Richmond beating Duke......and should Harvard even be allowed to be ranked if they refuse to "man up" in the playoffs? Just sayin'.....
“It’s like someone found a manic, doom-prophesying hobo in a sandwich board, shaved him, shot him full of Zoloft and gave him a show.” - The Buffalo Beast commenting on Glenn Beck
Chizzang wrote:
Hey I just figured out...
(since nobody was helping) that East Carolina is Div.1 Conference USA (whatever that is..?)
So APP lost to a Div. 1 school - granted I've been watching college football my entire life and never heard of East Carolina - but Hey..!!! they should hold on to their ranking
Not with Richmond beating Duke......and should Harvard even be allowed to be ranked if they refuse to "man up" in the playoffs? Just sayin'.....
I'm going to let that comment slide because I know you're grumpy right now...
Q: Name something that offends Republicans?
A: The actual teachings of Jesus
Appaholic wrote:
Not with Richmond beating Duke......and should Harvard even be allowed to be ranked if they refuse to "man up" in the playoffs? Just sayin'.....
I'm going to let that comment slide because I know you're grumpy right now...
I'm not grumpy....it's not like I paid to watch Montana and Western State combine for 10pts in one half.....
“It’s like someone found a manic, doom-prophesying hobo in a sandwich board, shaved him, shot him full of Zoloft and gave him a show.” - The Buffalo Beast commenting on Glenn Beck
“It’s like someone found a manic, doom-prophesying hobo in a sandwich board, shaved him, shot him full of Zoloft and gave him a show.” - The Buffalo Beast commenting on Glenn Beck
“It’s like someone found a manic, doom-prophesying hobo in a sandwich board, shaved him, shot him full of Zoloft and gave him a show.” - The Buffalo Beast commenting on Glenn Beck
“It’s like someone found a manic, doom-prophesying hobo in a sandwich board, shaved him, shot him full of Zoloft and gave him a show.” - The Buffalo Beast commenting on Glenn Beck
