Share
BOONE - Appalachian State beat Chattanooga 35-20 Saturday to maintain its undefeated football status in the Southern Conference.
The Mountaineers (7-2, 6-0) were held to their lowest yardage and scoring since their 40-35 loss Sept.12 to McNeese State.
"There was just no tempo today," Appalachian State coach Jerry Moore said, attributing the lack of rhythm to a combination of possession time, unexpected onside kicks and three turnovers.
The Mountaineers will face Elon (8-1, 6-0) for first place in the conference next weekend. It will be the first time since the Southern Conference joined the Football Championship Subdivision in 1982 that two of its teams sporting at least six conference wins and no league losses will face each other.
Appalachian State led 21-0 early, with the aid of a 34-yard interception return by linebacker D.J. Smith and touchdown carries by quarterback Armanti Edwards, as well as running backs Devon Moore and Devin Radford.
However, the momentum began to shift during the second quarter as Appalachian State had a fumble and back-to-back interceptions.
It was the first time in Edwards' career to allow two consecutive interceptions.
"You just got to let it go," Edwards said. "It's important to have short-term memory."
Chattanooga capitalized on the fumble and scored its first touchdown of the game on a 1-yard carry by quarterback B.J. Coleman.
The momentum shift carried into the second half when the Mocs converted two consecutive onside kicks for 10 points, a 30-yard field goal by Craig Camay and a 2-yard touchdown reception by Blue Cooper. The two plays put Chattanooga within 21-17 entering the fourth quarter.
"We scored 21 points in the first quarter and I just thought it was going to be a blow out," said Mountaineers safety Mark LeGree. "And when it was close, I started to get a little nervous."
Appalachian State running back Moore said there was definitely a sense of urgency on the offense to put points on the board when Chattanooga moved within a point after a 37-yard field goal.
Receiver Brian Quick helped the Mountaineers rediscover their rhythm though with first-down receptions of 16 and 12 yards, to drive them back to the end zone.
LeGree intercepted his fourth pass of the season following the touchdown, to give the ball back to Appalachian State.
Moore added Appalachian State's final touchdown on a 15-yard carry.
"The most important thing about tonight was the fourth quarter," coach Moore said. "If you go all the way back to ECU, we've been a team that's got a lot of fight."
Appalachian State had averaged 630 yards total offense over the past four games but was held to 322 yards - its lowest total output since managing 246 yards in a season-opening loss to East Carolina.
B.J. Coleman went 25-for-46 for 246 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions for the Mocs (5-4, 3-4).
