Moore says Appalachian State wary of The Citadel's offense

Mountaineers will try to slow down Bulldogs' dangerous Roberts

Credit: Photo by Robert Franklin

Devon Moore should see plenty of action against The Citadel.

By: By Tommy Bowman | JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: October 03, 2009

Appalachian State took the first step toward what it hopes will be a fifth straight Southern Conference title last week, getting its defense on track in a 20-7 victory over Samford.

Step 2 will come today at The Citadel, and the ASU defense will face another challenge. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m.

The Citadel's Bart Blanchard, a junior, became the fifth quarterback in SoCon history to throw six touchdown passes in a game in a 46-21 victory over Presbyterian last week. Four of those passes went to Andre Roberts, who will be a focal point today. Roberts, a senior All-America, is the Bulldogs' all-time leading receiver and punt returner.

"He runs great routes," Coach Jerry Moore of the Mountaineers said. "And I know he scored four touchdowns last week."

The Bulldogs (2-1 overall, 0-0 SoCon) have revamped their offense a bit, mixing in a Wildcat formation and scoring 84 points in two games after a season-opening loss at North Carolina.

As for ASU (1-2, 1-0), holding Samford to 192 yards and one touchdown was a timely accomplishment.

"Watching them on tape the first two games and then watching them against Samford, the improvement that they made in so many areas is incredible," Coach Kevin Higgins of The Citadel said. "It looks to me a little bit like they simplified things."

Moore said that the primary reason for defensive improvement was indeed simple.

"We lined up in the right places," he said.

The Mountaineers won with their fewest amount of points since defeating Wofford 14-7 in 2006.

"That takes a little pressure off us, knowing we don't have to score 50 points to win a game," said junior Devon Moore, who has rushed for more than 100 yards in the last two games. "Just seeing the defense stopping them play after play really is a boost to us."

D.J. Smith, a junior linebacker, led ASU's defense with 17 tackles, two sacks, two quarterback hurries and two pass breakups against Samford.

"He's a tremendous football player," Jerry Moore said of Smith. "He's got really, really great instincts. I think in the coaching business, we all realize you don't always coach that. Some guys are just born with it."

Higgins said: "We've been watching him as well as (Jacque) Roman. Those two guys at the linebacker position are as good as anybody in the country."

Appalachian didn't put on its typical offensive show on a rainy Saturday in Boone, but Moore credited a proven Samford defense and wasn't complaining.

"It was good to win a game," he said. "You go all the way back to December, we'd lost three ballgames. That was a very good Samford team. If they're not turning the ball over, you're going to have to fight hard to beat those guys."

Turnovers have been a positive for The Citadel. The Bulldogs have forced nine this season, including six interceptions. That, Higgins said, "is three more than we had all of last year."

Appalachian has won 14 of its last 15 against The Citadel and will be seeking its 13th straight victory against a SoCon opponent. The Mountaineers won 45-24 the last time they played at The Citadel. Quarterback Armanti Edwards was the catalyst, running for 291 yards and cracking a helmet and needing a replacement after one long gain.

Edwards could gain more notice throwing today. He needs 229 yards to become the Mountaineers' all-time leader in passing yards. Richie Williams holds the record with 7,759 yards.

tbowman@wsjournal.com | 727-7320