Bulldogs no easy mark for ASU
by Steve Behr Sports Editor
During its recent run in the FCS playoffs, Appalachian State has played some tough opening-round games, and some that weren't so tough.
Coastal Carolina didn't provide much more than a speed bump in 2006. Lafayette was tough for a while in 2005, but the Mountaineers' depth and speed overwhelmed the Leopards.
Then there were the toughies. James Madison nearly knocked the Mountaineers out of the 2007 playoffs, but a Dukes fumble close to the Mountaineers' goal line was recovered by Pierre Banks. It was the hardest game the Mountaineers played during the tournament.
Then there was South Carolina State, a team most took lightly because its conference, the MEAC has not won a playoff game since 1999. Never mind that it was Florida A&M beating Appalachian State at Kidd Brewer 44-29, S.C. State was supposed to be a warmup act in the Mountaineers' stampede to a fourth national title.
It didn't work that way. South Carolina State was no Coastal Carolina last year and the Bulldogs seem to be a better team this year.
South Carolina State gave all the Mountaineers they could handle before eventually falling 37-21 in a score inflated by an ASU touchdown scored in the final five seconds when the Bulldogs would not let the Mountaineers run the clock out.
The Bulldogs' running game, led by William Ford, rolled up 325 yards of total offense. Ford, the all-time leading rusher in MEAC history, provided 117 yards on 23 carries.
True, Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards passed for an ASU record 433 yards, connecting on 29-of-41 passes. Still feeling the effects of an injured knee and a hip-pointer, Edwards connected for four touchdowns, but was also intercepted twice.
South Carolina State's defensive front was impressive. Appalachian State rushed for 124 yards, mere child's play to the 313 yards Edwards ran for in his previous playoff game at The Rock in a 55-35 win over Richmond in 2007.
However, to be fair, the Mountaineers' running backs were banged up. Devon Moore was still on the Appalachian State version of injured reserve after breaking his ankle in September against James Madison. Devin Radford was also on the shelf because of injury as was Cedric Baker, leaving fifth-string tailback Josh Jackson the leading rusher with 58 yards on 11 carries.
Appalachian State is healthy now, and should be favored to reach the second round. But South Carolina State doesn't just see this as a show. They see it as a fight.
ASU is aware of that and won't take the Bulldogs lightly.
Coastal Carolina didn't provide much more than a speed bump in 2006. Lafayette was tough for a while in 2005, but the Mountaineers' depth and speed overwhelmed the Leopards.
Then there were the toughies. James Madison nearly knocked the Mountaineers out of the 2007 playoffs, but a Dukes fumble close to the Mountaineers' goal line was recovered by Pierre Banks. It was the hardest game the Mountaineers played during the tournament.
Then there was South Carolina State, a team most took lightly because its conference, the MEAC has not won a playoff game since 1999. Never mind that it was Florida A&M beating Appalachian State at Kidd Brewer 44-29, S.C. State was supposed to be a warmup act in the Mountaineers' stampede to a fourth national title.
It didn't work that way. South Carolina State was no Coastal Carolina last year and the Bulldogs seem to be a better team this year.
South Carolina State gave all the Mountaineers they could handle before eventually falling 37-21 in a score inflated by an ASU touchdown scored in the final five seconds when the Bulldogs would not let the Mountaineers run the clock out.
The Bulldogs' running game, led by William Ford, rolled up 325 yards of total offense. Ford, the all-time leading rusher in MEAC history, provided 117 yards on 23 carries.
True, Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards passed for an ASU record 433 yards, connecting on 29-of-41 passes. Still feeling the effects of an injured knee and a hip-pointer, Edwards connected for four touchdowns, but was also intercepted twice.
South Carolina State's defensive front was impressive. Appalachian State rushed for 124 yards, mere child's play to the 313 yards Edwards ran for in his previous playoff game at The Rock in a 55-35 win over Richmond in 2007.
However, to be fair, the Mountaineers' running backs were banged up. Devon Moore was still on the Appalachian State version of injured reserve after breaking his ankle in September against James Madison. Devin Radford was also on the shelf because of injury as was Cedric Baker, leaving fifth-string tailback Josh Jackson the leading rusher with 58 yards on 11 carries.
Appalachian State is healthy now, and should be favored to reach the second round. But South Carolina State doesn't just see this as a show. They see it as a fight.
ASU is aware of that and won't take the Bulldogs lightly.