An ugly win is still a win. And an ugly win with a dramatic score in the closing seconds is ….. something special.
App State had a second half 21-10 lead flipped to a 25-21 deficit when it got the ball on the 20 with 1:41 left to play and no timeouts. The offense went 58 yards on five plays before facing 1st and 10 from the 22 with 39 seconds remaining.
Then came the something special.
Jamal Jackson’s 39th pass of the game was caught by the Phenom Sean Price, who nabbed his 5th reception in the endzone just prior to going out of bounds.
Touchdown Black and Gold! 28-25. Ballgame.
It wasn’t pretty. Apps were 2 for 14 on third downs. Committed nine penalties for 79 yards. Gained just 4.0 yards a carry. And late just couldn’t seem to contain the dogs.
But a win’s a win. And a loss is a loss. Wofford fell to the Stink, 17-9, forcing one of two possible championship games in the next three weeks.
First, Wofford at App State next Saturday. A win could set up a mighty, mighty, m-i-g-h-t-y big game at the Stink Nov. 3.
Gonna be a fun three weeks.
WORRY STAT, OFFENSE – Jackson’s backpedaling
No. 12 put up some great stats – 22 of 39 passing, 288 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 7 yards rushing – but did so under a lot of pressure late. Uh-lot. Several times he was not just running backwards, but running backwards while throwing. Jackson showed sparks of agility, but he’s a pass first QB with a habitual stutter step to look for receivers. It scares us when he does that. He was sacked four times, one fewer than his sacked total going into the game.
BE HAPPY, OFFENSE – No huddle, no time
Eighty yards in 101 seconds with no timesouts? No problem. App State had gone more than a full quarter without a score when the game was on the line. To seal the deal it went Jackson to Price for 20, incompletion, Jackson run for 17, incompletion, Jackson to Peacock for 21 yards, Jackson to Price for TD. When the O clicks, it sticks.
DON’T WORRY, DEFENSE – Adam Scott
The 6-2, 240 junior made his first career start in the D-line. It ain’t gonna be his last. He finished with three sacks, erasing 24 yards(!) of Sammy gains (He had seven tackles total). Four other Apps worked together to put a beating on Sammy QB Andy Summerlin, who was dropped six times for total loss of 55 yards. That represented 15 percent of the yardage the dogs ended up with (352).
BE HAPPY, DEFENSE – Rushless
Sammy came into the game averaging 166 rushing yards. It got just 82 today. The dogs ran 38 times and – wow – 8 times they were dropped behind scrimmage, and 7(!) other times were dropped right at the line. No gain. That included the last two rushing attempts they tried. Those two decisive stops came on a 2nd and 1, then a 3rd and 1, and forced the punt which App eventually needed to win the game. As a team, Sammy got just 2.2 rushing yards a carry.
HERE’S A FEW MORE NOTES WE WROTE.
- App State ran for just 125 yards, its second lowest ground output of the season (119 at ECU). Steven Miller went for 88 yards on 17 carries (54 percent of the teams runs). Rod Chisholm had 26 yards on 4 carries.
- Third downs were awful in the second half. Among the situations the Apps found themselves was 3rd and 15, 3rd and 19, 3rd and 7, 3rd and 9, and 3rd and 3. They only converted one in the last two quarters, a 3rd and 1 midway through the fourth.
- Speaking of third downs, probably the oddest play of the game – for us – was App facing 4th and 9 on the Sammy 15 with under eight minutes to go and the score 25-21 bad guys. The offense went for it … and failed on an incompletion. This seemed out of character, but maybe it was the Mojo. A field goal would have made it a one-point game with – as later evidenced – plenty of time left to play.
- Goasu trivia – App State won a game on its final offensive play for the first time since Armanti Edwards found Matt Cline for a four-yard TD pass with 10 seconds left in the 35-31 win over Richmond in the NCAA Division I Football Championship quarterfinals in 2009.
- Sammy announced a homecoming crowd of 9,712. Back in 2008 the game drew 10,670.
* Photographic evidence of an inbounds touchdown by App State FB Video.
A WIN is a WIN. Now there are four 1 loss teams in the SoCon. App beat one and has yet to play the other two.
Zapruder, yeah, AppFan got a degree from Appalachian.
Richmond
Are we really that bad or is Samford getting better?
Stupid people ask stupid questions.
i don't think we're bad, but i don't think all is right in ASU land. i'm wondering how performances against samford is going to translate on the field against teams like wofford, GSU, and others in the playoffs.
no, murray, i don't think your question is "stupid". and yeah, samford isn't a bad team at all. considering we have some injuries on both sides of the ball, i think we were fortunate to come out of that game with a win.
Welcome to da blog, Powell. Say hello to murray…I mean stupid…..
sure thing burd. don't really understand the vitriol in your comment, but right on. whatever floats your boat i guess. not sure that name calling is an adequate way to boast your message board bravado. doesn't seem productive. but stick to your guns if that's what is working for you.
it wont take long before you figure out murray's motives…
Murray is a UNCC fan. He spends more time on here than most of us and it's all in an effort to troll. He is a despicable human being. You will learn. Welcome to the blog.
nah, i've posted here infrequently over time as "Reese", but for some reason this blog has my wordpress ID signed in, hence powellrm. don't know why. but anywho.
HATERS GONNA HATE.
I stopped logging in a while ago. I wanted to drop the Dr. from my alias and I just don't like having to log in and out whenever I switch between home and work computers and my iPhone. The auto fill for Name, Email and Website are always filled in for me, so I'm willing to sacrifice the Hunter Thompson avatar for convenience.
The way I tend to think it goes… We play to the level of our competition. It's been that way for a while. Whether they're great or awful, we tend to play to their level, so if one of them has a great day, and they're typically bad, we're going to lose. That's what happened to El Cid. We didn't do too hot because they aren't typically good, and we played down to their level of competition.
Is it me or does this game have a resemblence to the Michigan game….Take a two possession lead, lose a two possession lead…..win with a last minute comeback….seal the win with a turnover that we return inside the five yardline…a la Corey Lynch…
Little of both Murray. The talent gap is still rather large, but they have better coaching and preparation. It’s absurd that it takes us almost a half to make adjustments on offense to counter their defensive scheme! It’s almost like nobody watched any film of these guys last week?
We have to overcome being associated with your a$$.
Who are you referring to Gwalt?
Whatever. If you two are pleased with yesterday’s game, and satisfied with mediocrity, have fun.
it's very odd being ostracized and "called out" because i point out problems with the football team. talk about people having an inferiority complex. it's absurd to watch that game (and all of this season's games) and not be concerned with leadership moving forward. i agree with you, yogi. don't understand what's wrong with talking about it.
Comparing this win to Michigan game is absurd…!!
Current team is growing…2007 team was battle tested and successful.
Leadership on both sides of the ball.
The foes were night and day, hard to find any similarities.
What's odd is how someone could watch 'all of this season's games' and not see a major shift for the better in this year's team across the board: coaches, team chemistry, and yes, play-calling.
As far as I'm concerned this team is right on course for developing into a serious title contender … next year. Everything we can learn and go through now is helping whether we like the box score or not. It is common knowledge how young our 2-deep roster was at the start of the season and we've had, and continue to have, a string of injuries.
Being in the chase for a league title and a playoff bid while we are rebuilding isn't the worst place to be.
The sky is not falling.
Nice comment appfantoo. I think that this game was probably good for us and will give us confidence knowing we can win if we our the last team with the ball.
This team wins because of raw talent. often in spite of coaching and poor play calling.
don't think anyone is saying the sky is falling, just acknowledging that there's a lot to be worked on.
Sure this year’s team is vastly improved and the Satterfield influence on offense is readily apparent. That being said, it’s one thing to struggle and battle against top tier FCS talent like GSU and the like. To look like we did against Samford reveals just how much damage was done to the program during the intervening years since 2007 and what remains.
I see this team as a very talented squad, I just get the sense that our Apps this year are very young with a new coaching staff, and really are in the process of trying to find an identity on the field. And sometimes the product is a little underwhelming.
don't know who that person is. no offense yogi, but if i was going to make up a fake name, it wouldn't be "yogi".
mockenburd, are you MIDWEST?
Yogi was a nickname in college. 86 was the year I graduated from App. I’m surprised you haven’t heard of me:)
The photo of the catch in the end zone seems definitive to me. What exactly is the controversy over whether he was in or out? Was the question whether he secured the ball? I hope someone who was there or who at least heard the radio broadcast description of the play can inform.
I watched the game on the Samford website, and was listening to our guys call the game. from the initial looks of the video stream Price definitely did not appear to have gotten a foot in. the throw was kind of a 25 yard fade towards the back of the endzone with Price doing an over the should kind of catch. he seemed to shuffle his feet really fast once he landed, which made it look like he was out of bounds.
but after further review the call stands and APP WINS BABY!
I was there and none of us could really tell. I just know it was a great catch and the official signaled TD which was one of the few calls that went our way during the second half of the game. Glad the picture is out there to prove that one foot was in and he had the ball secured. Richie…err…I mean Jamal was money on that drive. Also will tell you that Washington did a GREAT job on punt and kickoff returns, Miller was like a man on a mission and got lots of yardage after contact and the defense got after the QB all day. No it wasn't always pretty but amazing how many freshmen had a hand in the win. Oh and Sam punted like Ray Guy.
speedking, speaking of Sam Martin. When i watched the game online it looked like he took a pretty big hit. Since you were at the game, did that hit on Sam Martin look as bad as it did on TV? Was it obvious helmet to helmet contact?
Special teams play was solid saturday.
It looked like an incredibiily dirty shot to the head…the guy launched himself, helmet first at Sam. Luckily Sam was fine.
my comparing this game to Michigan is not absurd!!!!!. You Sir are absurd for not seeing the point I made in that game circumstances were similar…..READ a post before you reply.
I agree with you mr. preacher. tough crowds here. I totally got what you meant in your michigan reference. The game had that weird back and forth momentum kind of flow to it, with a last minute game saver!
My question, “Are we really that bad or is Samford getting better?”
While angers a few, it is a question that we must ask considering the other factors of wanting to go FBS. It may not be in our best interest to do so. Yes, we have a report saying to go FBS but has anyone school ever received a bad report saying NOT to go FBS from this firm? How independent is the report considering that someone is paying for it?
Here is another question, did our Board of Trustees vote to go FBS on a fraudulant report?
Appalachian has a niche in FCS
didnt the same consulting group recommend montana not move up? I am not sure of that or not, but the thought lingers in my head. Regardless, all studies are paid for in some form or another
Of course you'd say that. Wouldn't want big bad App State beating up on your 49ers as an FBS squad.
Kill yourself.
the 2012 Mountaineers are playing in the Southern Conference with a chance to make the FCS playoffs. I'm not sure why anything else is being discussed when our team is playing for this birth.
So shut your face or back hair guy will drop his shavings in your coffee and sprinkle some more on your pillow.
oh god, here goes the FBS/FCS debate again. The only thing I'm focused on is winning the Socon and awaiting Wofford next week. Wish I was going to be in Boone for that one.
BEAT WOOFURD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear old Murray. Day late and a dollar short . Boise had a niche too.
We are young, injured and in a coaching transition. I'm not displeased where we are.
So Appthunder, golf anytime…. You can switch over from the dark side and become enlightened.
Below the glossy veneer, is the truth. Do not believe everything is all smiles and sunshine.
aren't you one of the ones who was chanting NO MEANS NO during the "scandal" that turned out to be smoke and mirrors last year? i do not want to play golf with you. not now. not ever.
HATERS GONNA HATE. APPS GONNA ROLL.
Wondering why you would defend Murray, REESE. This isn't just any old App fan being critical of our staff. That would be fine.
This is a guy who is NOT and App fan. He poses as one to spread woe and negativity through our ranks like the infectious plague that he is. I'm not even hating on him. I am speaking factually about him. The guy is a Charlotte fan, App hating troll with nothing better to do.
The more you defend him the more you lose credibility to those who actually add substance to this discussion forum.
in the links post below one of the beat writers made a prediction about the game;
"ASU’s Sean Price will catch the game-winning TD pass with less than two minutes remaining and see below for my thoughts on Wofford-Georgia Southern"
I dont know how often he is right but thats a nice line to have written pre-weekend. Just thought that was interesting.
The talent is catching up because our recruiting has been suckage for the last 3 years or so. We are starting to lose the recruiting battle. However, that could be due to the fact that we have not won a title as well. The succon is catching up and we are dropping. Hope it changes. We are young and going through some changes this year but that does not make up for what happened when we played the doggies from Charleston.
I am not a UNCC fan Gonzo but if you think that gets my goat, then so be it. At least I do not live in my grandmother’s basement playing video games.
I am for turning things around and realize that we need change in more than one area at App to achieve success once again on the mountain in the classroom and in sports.
Just trying to maintain is what a few of you are cheering for and loudly which is a mistake.
Appthunder, scandal??? How about meeting the fathers of the girls that were raped by the football players and tell them that it was a scandal. I doubt you would make out of the room.
Too bad you do not play golf. You could have learned a lot but since you continue to be deaf you will have a hard time advancing in life.
Show me the court case. Oh wait, that's right, it never even saw a courtroom.
I'd like to see meet with falsely accused players that's careers were ruined and spew your garbage. I side with the rule of law, you side with whatever make's Appalachian look the worst. You are not an App fan, you're a flame bater, a troll and a despicable human being. I say again, do App Nation and the human race a favor and KILL YOURSELF.
Well that escalated quickly.
until proven guilty in a court of law, all persons accused are assumed innocent. In this country, it is not the other way around. As the only people who actually know what happened are those that were there, you do not know anything. unless of course, you actually were there. Which would be sick. Hearsay is not a credible source. Both sides of this debacle have been hurt by it. But, unless, or until, it has been proven in a credible court of law, it will forever remain a scandal. my point to you was that I have said no a dozen times, a dozen ways.
Do not worry yosef with my future, I will have no difficulties advancing in life.
Gonzo, has flare for being an A$$. Get use to it. His thoughts are out there for being in his grandmothers basement.
Anytime Gonzo, step.up or shut up. I may be 62 but I can still take care of you.
Not only did Georgia Southern not complete a pass against Wofford, they didn't even attempt a pass…the whole game…college football – what kind of high school league are we playing in anyway ?
Huh?
Murray, you're a douch. You're not trying to make anything better. You're looking for things to piss on and then some how make yourself believe that is benefiting anything other than your old fartiness. Don't use age as part of any point or statement when you act 13.
while Yosef, Murray and some others piss, moan, and waste their time pretending to be App fans who don't support this years team….here's a clip of the catch. It's on at about the 0:55 mark. You have to weather through some Western highlights, such as they are.
http://www.wlos.com/shared/sports/features/local/…
Touch down Wofford
Cobb is trying to get out of Boone again?
http://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2012/8/7/322654…
you realize that this article implies the exact opposite of every gripe that you have with AD Cobb right? Apparently, he is not so terrible.
Murray only realizes that he is 63. That's it.
God im really starting to hate this website. We're 5-2, going in to an effective 3 game SoCon round robin for the title (with a chance to put some fresh polish on an old jug in the middle). Can everybody stop talking about last year, next year, other schools, FCS-FBS, whatever. This is our team right now and we need to support them/analyze them/criticize them as they are right now. Plenty of time for this BS pissing match stuff in the off season. If someone talks about Charlotte and the FBS, just ignore it.
I have identified the source of the Malware. The alert you get before visiting the site is to warn you about Murray. He is the source of all things negative on this site. I'd ban his IP. Of course then he'd probably just move to the next computer in the public library…
Considering the fact that we’re playing a very young group of receivers and linemen in a pass heavy offense, dealing with a huge number of injuries, I’d say we’re having a pretty damn good season. Citadel was embarrassing, but we’re finding ways to win and that’s ALL that matters
I’d take 5-2 right now before the season. I’d really take 6-2 after Saturday. I’ll say it again, if you can’t enjoy last weekend, then why follow App football? I mean seriously. What do you look forward about football that last week pisses you off…or any of the games except for El Cid.
Aloha Mr. Hand