Published: 9:08 PM, 10/13/2009

Last updated: 12:52 PM, 11/17/2009

By: Steve Behr Sports Editor

By Steve Behr
sports@wataugademocrat.com
It was the game that put Mark LeGree on the national map.
LeGree was a sophomore safety for Appalachian State when he lined up against the Wofford Terriers last Halloween who was gaining a reputation for being a ballhawk, having intercepted three passes so far that season.
He had big shoes to fill at the time, having taken over for Corey Lynch, who had been drafted into the NFL by the Cincinnati Bengals. So far, LeGree was living up to expectations, but was still a bit under the national radar.
His performance in front of a national ESPN2 audience changed all that.
LeGree picked off three passes against the Terriers in Appalachian State's 70-24 dismanltling of Wofford on that chilly night.
"I remember it was my greatest game ever," LeGree said. "Three interceptions, one forced fumble, eight tackles, it was my best game."
Both teams scored touchdowns on their first two possessions. The Mountaineers took the ball on their third possessions and scored to take a 21-14 lead.
Wofford, which was running the ball well on the ASU defense, chose to throw deep on its next possession. LeGree raced back to the Wofford receiver who was the intended receiver and was able to intercept the ball.
Appalachian State scored a touchdown on its ensuing possession, and then scored two more to take a 42-14 halftime lead.
LeGree said about his first interception that Wofford lined up a tight end wide with the receiver to the right side. The tight end ran an out pattern, while the receiver ran a post.
" We knew Wofford was a running team and we weren't expecting them to be throwing the ball that much," LeGree said. "I was shocked when they tried to go deep."
It was not the only pass LeGree would get to.
"The second one the tight end ran a corner, but our linebacker put a good jam on him," LeGree said. "It slowed him down and I was the only one out there. That was why the quarterback looked like he was throwing the ball to me."
And the third pick?
"The quarterback was just scrambling out to the left and I was just following him and he threw the ball up and I went and got it," LeGree said.
By the time LeGree was finished, he had a hand in four of the five Wofford turnovers. ASU used the game as a springboard to winning their fourth straight Southern Conference championship, and it left LeGree the national leader with six interceptions.
LeGree ended up leading the nation with 10 interceptions and was named first-team All-American by The Sports Network and the Associated Press. He was also named preseason first-team All-American by The Sports Network.
LeGree knows that even though Wofford limps into its game Saturday with a 1-4 record, they'll still be tough to beat.
"They're still a good team," LeGree said. "Every game in the SoCon is going to be a good game, so we're going to play our hardest. We're not going to take them for granted.
"Since they do all of the options, I'm the main option player, so I'll be down a lot more to the line and just reading the option," LeGree said.

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