How Appalachian State rediscovered its persona after slow start vs. Campbell
.JPG "Appalachian State running back Daetrich Harrington finds a hole in the Campbell defense to break loose for a 40 yard touchdown run during the second half an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020 at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, N.C.")
Appalachian State didn’t just win a football game Saturday; the Mountaineers restored a persona.
After gaining just 96 yards on 33 rushing attempts in a 17-7 loss at Marshall, Appalachian State returned to who they are in a 52-21 home victory over Campbell. The Mountaineers gained 404 yards on the ground in 60 attempts.
Running back Daetrich Harrington rushed for 211 yards and four touchdowns on a day when the Mountaineers’ roster was thinned by COVID-19 protocols. Freshman Nate Noel ran for an additional 131 yards.
The loss to Marshall dropped Appalachian State (2-1) out of this week’s AP football poll. Dominant as Saturday’s final score appeared, the Mountaineers didn’t lead this game until the final minute before halftime. Campbell, one of 17 FCS teams playing a fall schedule, is 0-3.
Observations on Appalachian State’s performance:
Shaky start
The defensive front seven looked porous against Marshall, and the first quarter against Campbell was more of the same. When an FCS team goes on the road, and drives 83 yards for a touchdown, consuming 7 1/2 minutes, it raises a question about the Mountaineers’ defensive stoutness.
A whiff
Campbell quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams is elusive, just the sort of playmaker Camels coach (and former Carolina Panthers safety) Mike Minter needs. However, Williams made Mountaineers linebacker Tyler Bird whiff badly on Campbell’s second touchdown drive. Bird was fooled so much by Williams’ juke that he didn’t even slow him down.
Shorthanded
The Mountaineers played despite a COVID-19 situation causing 18 players to miss the game, primarily due to contact tracing. It’s just the reality of college football during the pandemic: Georgia State had to postpone as it was loading up to bus to Charlotte Friday, and Syracuse delayed kickoff against Georgia Tech to retest three players.
Key playmaker
Appalachian State wide receiver Thomas Hennigan (three catches for 67 yards) came down hard on his left shoulder in the end zone in the first half, but came back to set up the Mountaineers for their second touchdown. Hennigan’s reliable hands and ability to run after the catch make him as important as just about any Appalachian State player this season.
This story was originally published September 26, 2020 at 3:32 PM.
