S.C. State gets second crack at Appalachian

When pairings for the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs were announced on Sunday, Coach Buddy Pough of S.C. State said that he was stunned to hear that his team would be going to the same place it went last year.

It's not a good place for visiting football teams.

The Bulldogs will play at Appalachian State in a first-round game on Saturday, for the second year in a row. The Mountaineers have won 10 of their past 11 playoff games at home, including a 37-21 victory over the Bulldogs last season.

"I wasn't hoping for Appalachian by any stretch," Pough said. "But we don't get an opportunity to choose. After getting over the shock, you say, ‘Well, heck, we've got to make the best of it and get our tails in gear and go.' "

FCS teams don't typically get the same first-round matchup two years in a row, but the Mountaineers and Bulldogs were a regional fit when the pairings were assembled by an NCAA committee and the Mountaineers were awarded the home field as result of a higher financial bid.

So, it's off to Boone for the Bulldogs again.

"That's just the way these playoffs work," Pough said. "You don't get very many easy teams or easy situations. So you better be ready to play. I don't know if we're any more excited about going to App than going anywhere else. We're just excited to be playing."

S.C. State made the playoff field last season for the first time since 1982. The Bulldogs won't be a relative newcomer this time around.

"I think it's an advantage that you've been in the playoffs," said ASU Coach Jerry Moore, who should know. His team is in for the 17th time and has won three of the past four national titles.

"Teams that have experience being in the playoffs it's always an advantage (compared to) teams going in there for the first time. All their kids know the routine, just like our kids do. I don't think it's an advantage over us, I just think it's an advantage that you've been in the playoffs and that you sort of know the routine … and have a little bit better handle on what takes place."

Pough thinks that his team, 10-1 and winner of the MEAC, will be a bit more confident this time around.

"I think we're a good bit further along than we were last year," he said. "But the fact is that Appalachian State has a lot better idea about S.C. State than they did last year, too."

The Mountaineers got a school-record 433 yards passing from Armanti Edwards in last year's victory. Edwards was back at practice Monday, after sitting out last Saturday's regular-season finale resting a sprained medial-collateral ligament in his right knee. He is planning on playing against the Bulldogs on Saturday.

Pough was asked how to keep Edwards in check this time around.

"That's a good question," Pough said. "If you know the answer, or if you can find anybody who knows the answer, please tell them to call me.

"I don't know. I really don't. He's probably the most precise, the most talented kid I've ever seen. You know there were times this year he was even better than he's been, which is really scary."

tbowman@wsjournal.com.



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All-SoCon

(As selected by league coaches)

First team

OFFENSE

QB Armanti Edwards ASU

RB Chris Evans Samford

RB Devon Moore ASU

OL Mario Acitelli ASU

OL David Harrison Elon

OL Pat Illig Wofford

OL Jon Weber Samford

OL Chris Werden Elon

TE Ben Jorden ASU

WR Terrell Hudgins Elon

WR Andre Roberts Citadel

DEFENSE

DL Josh Beard Chattanooga

DL Jabari Fletcher ASU

DL Andre Campbell Elon

DL Eric Ludwig Elon

LB Jacque Roman ASU

LB D.J. Smith ASU

LB Bryce Smith Samford

LB Joshua Jones Elon

DB Mark LeGree ASU

DB Karlos Sullivan Elon

DB Buster Skrine Chattanooga

DB Cortez Gilbert ASU

SPECIALISTS

PK Craig Camay Chattanooga

PU Chris Tommie Wofford

RS Andre Roberts Citadel

Second team

OFFENSE

QB Scott Riddle (Elon); RB Jamal Shuman (Elon); RB Tersoo Uhaa (Furman); OL Tyler Haynes (Furman); OL Chris Harr (Chattanooga); OL Daniel DeHaven (Citadel); OL Clark Bishop (Wofford); OL Brett Irvin (Appalachian); TE Alex Sellars (Citadel); TE Chris Truss (Furman); WR Blue Cooper (Chattanooga); WR CoCo Hillary (ASU)

DEFENSE

DL Terrence Reese (Citadel); DL Brent Russell (Georgia Southern); DL Malcolm Bennett (ASU); DL Markeith Wylie (Georgia Southern); DL John Michael Clay (Samford); LB Adrian McLeod (WCU); LB Joseph Thornton (Chattanooga); LB Jordon Gilmore (Citadel); DB Cameron McGlenn (Elon); DB Nolan Ward (Elon); DB Julian Hicks (Furman); DB Ed Gainey (ASU)

SPECIALISTS

PK Jason Vitaris (ASU); PU Bob Hooper (Samford); RS CoCo Hillary (ASU)

Individual awards

Offensive player of the year: Armanti Edwards (ASU); Defensive player of the year: Josh Beard (Chattanooga); Freshman of the year: Michael Johnson (WCU); Jacobs Blocking Award: Mario Acitelli (ASU); Co-coaches of the year: Jerry Moore (ASU) and Russ Huesman (Chattanooga)