App State Rolls To Road Victory in Texas
SAN MARCOS, Texas — Zac Thomas wasted little time announcing his return, even though Appalachian State chewed up plenty of clock with its scoring drives. Thomas' 43-yard pass to Collin Reed on App State's first play triggered a productive day for the sophomore quarterback, and Chris Willis' backfield pressure set up Noel Cook's goal line interception that served as the biggest momentum swing in a 38-7 victory at Texas State on Saturday.
Thomas, who sat out last weekend's win after playing only one series in the previous game, completed 25 of 36 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns. With help from receiver Mock Adams' downfield block, Darrynton Evans reached the end zone for the second time with a 79-yard run that gave the Mountaineers a 28-0 lead just two plays into the second half, and Texas State finally ended the defense's shutout bid midway through the third quarter.
Appalachian (7-2, 5-1) engineered scoring drives of 13, 13 and 17 plays in the victory, which, coupled with a road win for Troy (8-2, 6-0) at Georgia Southern (7-3, 4-2), left the Mountaineers with sole possession of second place in the Sun Belt's East Division. They close the regular season with home games against Georgia State and Troy over the next two weeks.
Austin Exford's recovery of a fumble forced by Josh Thomas in the opening two minutes preceded App State's first touchdown drive, a three-play series that ended with Dominique Heath gaining 16 yards and scoring from the 8-yard line on consecutive receptions.
A quick 3-for-3 start was the beginning of a solid day from Zac Thomas, who also rushed for 76 yards. Thomas' 1-yard touchdown pass to Reed early in the second quarter pushed the Mountaineers ahead 14-0, and Texas State (3-7, 1-5) was in position to cut into its deficit when it reached the App State 2 midway through the second quarter.
Willis' pursuit of backup quarterback Tyler Vitt during a third-and-goal play from the 4 forced a desperate, fluttering throw that was intercepted by Cook at the 3, and App State responded with a 13-play, 95-yard touchdown drive to move ahead 21-0.
The Mountaineers' 17-play scoring drive lasted more than eight minutes, concluding with a 29-yard field goal from Chandler Staton early in the fourth quarter, and true freshman running back Camerun Peoples scored the first touchdown of his young career on a 9-yard run behind a block from center Noah Hannon.
Willis and Okon Godwin recorded sacks for a defense that limited the Bobcats to 218 total yards, and MyQuon Stout made App State's second fumble recovery of the game in the final 90 seconds.
Inside linebackers Anthony Flory and Jordan Fehr tied for the team lead with nine tackles apiece.
With the win, App State head coach Scott Satterfield improved his career record to 48-24, moving him into sole possession of third place for coaching victories at the school.
Jerry Moore is first with 215 from 1989-2012, followed by E.C. Duggins at 57-25-3 from 1947-50 and 1952-55. Jim Brakefield went 47-48-4 from 1971-79.