Appalachian begins playoffs with 20-13 win over S.C. State

BOONE

Appalachian State has found a variety of ways to win in recent years, most typically with a potent offense led by Armanti Edwards.

The Mountaineers found yet another way yesterday, converting a fourth-quarter gift into a go-ahead touchdown in a 20-13 victory over S.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

On a day when Edwards and the offense weren't at full speed, the Mountaineers relied on their defense. The biggest play came on a game-turning 50-yard fumble return for a touchdown by nickel back Dominique McDuffie, after an errant field-goal snap by the Bulldogs.

The Mountaineers will play at defending national champion Richmond next Saturday in the quarterfinals. It will be a rematch of last year's quarterfinal, in which Richmond ended ASU's run of three straight titles with a 33-13 victory in Boone.

Both the Apps and Bulldogs had a season-high five turnovers yesterday, but it was the final one that proved most costly.

The Bulldogs got an initial break when an Edwards pass bounced off the chest of Devon Moore and into defender Devonne Quattlebaum's hands with 9:05 left. The interception set the Bulldogs up at the Mountaineers' 23-yard line, and led to a would-be 32-yard field-goal attempt.

But the snap from center was premature, and shot past an unaware holder and kicker. McDuffie was among those who gave chase; he scooped the ball up at the 50-yard line and returned it for a decisive touchdown with 7:42 left.

"The kicker and holder weren't paying attention when the ball was being snapped," McDuffie said. "A couple of people dove on it but it popped out. I just grabbed it, Mark (LeGree) made a block and I just coasted to the end zone."

Coach Buddy Pough of the Bulldogs said there was a goof with the snap cadence.

"I think it was more of a crowd-noise deal than anything else," Pough said. "Our (center), who is a young kid, thought he heard the remainder of the cadence…. Not only was the snap early, but they (kicker and holder) didn't even see it."

From there, the Mountaineers' defense took control -- dropping the Bulldogs for three straight losses and forcing a punt.

"We had talked all week about if it came down to us, we were going to win the game," McDuffie said. "It was a total effort from the defense."

The Mountaineers then picked up a critical first down, with an 11-yard gain on a third-down shovel pass from Edwards to Cedric Baker.

"That was big," Edwards said. "If they stop us right there, they have enough time."

The Bulldogs did get the ball back, but with only 53 seconds and no timeouts remaining at their 8-yard line. Their final threat ended at their 18.

ASU held an opponent to 20 points or less for the fourth straight game, and limited the Bulldogs to 33 yards rushing.

Linebacker Jacque Roman of the Mountaineers said: "We knew if we stopped the run they'd have to go to a passing game, and they're more of a running team. There were certain plays we had to stop and we executed well."

Edwards, back after sitting out the regular-season finale with a sprained medial-collateral ligament in his right knee, wasn't at full speed.

His rushing attempts were limited -- and, with three sacks, finished with minus-1 rushing -- the lowest total in his 47 career starts. Running back Devon Moore was also slowed in the second half with a thigh bruise.

"Fortunately, we got through this game with (Edwards) running the minimal amount, and he should be really good next week," Coach Jerry Moore of ASU said.

Edwards was intercepted a season-high three times, one returned 46 yards for a touchdown by Rafael Bush.

tbowman@wsjournal.com.
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S.C. State 3 7 3 0 -- 13
Appalachian 0 13 0 7 -- 20

First Quarter

SCSt--FG Erickson 31, 9:49.

Second Quarter

ASU--FG Vitaris 19, 12:03.

ASU--Quick 7 pass from Edwards (Vitaris kick), 4:35.

SCSt--Bush 46 interception return (Erickson kick), 1:34.

ASU--FG Vitaris 24, :00.

Third Quarter

SCSt--FG Erickson 19, 9:06.

Fourth Quarter

ASU--McDuffie 50 fumble return (Vitaris kick), 7:42.

A--12,216.

TEAM STATISTICS

SCSt ASU

First downs 15 20

Rushes-yards 26-33 45-84

Passing 196 218

Comp-Att-Int 19-37-3 19-30-3

Return Yards 59 18

Punts-Avg. 4-36.0 4-35.5

Fumbles-Lost 3-2 3-2

Penalties-Yards 7-47 5-50

Time of Possession 23:44 36:16

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING--South Carolina State, Jamison 6-29, Ford 8-22, Long 10-14, Wiley 1-3, Team 1-(minus 35). Appalachian State, D.Moore 20-61, C.Baker 9-20, Radford 5-12, Cadet 1-(minus 1), Edwards 9-(minus 1).

PASSING--South Carolina State, Long 18-36-3-189, Erickson 1-1-0-7. Appalachian State, Edwards 19-30-3-218.

RECEIVING--S.C. State, Young 7-92, T.Smith 4-51, M.Washington 4-37, Ford 2-12, Elmore 1-5, Stukes 1-(minus 1). ASU, Quick 6-92, Elder 5-57, Cline 3-43, Jorden 2-6, C.Baker 1-11, D.Moore 1-9, Radford 1-0.