The #1 team in the country faced off against Coastal Carolina yesterday and dominated the first half to go up 31-0 behind outstanding frosh option QB Armanti Edwards and an outstanding (but small) O-line. The Chanticleers (not the Rutgers Chanticleers who abandoned their nickname, Jeff...lol) looked hesitant in the first half coming into the playoffs for the first time in the program's history, but really came roaring back strong in the second half behind outstanding PP QB Tyler Thigpen, who threw 3 TD passes and ran for one in the furious comeback bid. Coastal scored on a Thigpen 1-yard run midway through the 3rd quarter to make it 31-13 then CC recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and returned it to the App. St. 20. The officials initially awarded CC the ball, but then (without benefit of replay) huddled and said the App. State lineman who had fielded the ball was down. Replay showed it would not have been ruled down by contact. If CC had kept that ball and scored to close to 31-20 with all the mo their way...Anyway, hats off to the App. State O-line that was just too much for the #16 Chants D-line without star DL Grady.

SCOUTING SUMMARY:

College: Appalachian State Conference: Southern Columnist: staff
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Marques Murrell 44 6' 2.0" 245 4.75 DE 2007: Marques plays DE but shows the quickness to transition to LB at the next level. The Southern Conference DPOTY was awesome in this game, and should be a 6-7th rounder. He is powerful. Dips under the pads of the OT, and shows good closing speed (2 sacks). Shows good change of direction. Protects his knees well. Plays well in space. May even stay at DE if he adds 15-20 pounds, but he looks like he could make the change to LB far more readily than your average college DE. Is he Dexter Coakley (App. St.) reborn? GRADE: Positive

Jeremy Wiggins 8 5' 8.5" 190 4.55 CB 2007: Has had a very productive season until this one. Was not burned, but CC avoided his side of the field. Looks pretty fluid. Does not chase that well though, and lacks makeup speed. No future at the next level. GRADE: Neutral

Omarr Byrom 95 6' 1.8" 255 4.85 DT 2007: Plays just like Mike McFadden at Grand Valley. Undersized DT who gets by with quickness and toughness. Very sound technique. Really gets under the pads and uses leverage to fall off a shocked OG. Don't know if he has a home at the next level, though I'd like to see him tried at DE. GRADE: Slightly positive

Daniel Orlebar 90 6' 2.0" 295 5.25 DT 2007: The guy has some skills, but what really impresses you is the effort. Dominates OGs at this level. Not sure if he has enough athleticism and/or power to do that against the big boys. Played great today and played well all year. Has played nothing but DT in a 4-3, but needs to add 30 pounds, and learn to play over the center to have any chance of a pro career. GRADE: Positive

William Mayfield 9 6' 1.5" 220 4.60 WR 2007: A converted LB who still looks like one. Catches like a WR though. Has been the big play wideout all year, after switching to that position last year. Not the most fluid guy. Doesn't have David Givens's speed, but has a lot of his other traits. A load to bring down. Fights for every yard. All depends on the forty. GRADE: Neutral

Matt Isenhour 62 6' 1.0" 275 5.12 OG 2007: Plays ROT and plays it very well at this level. Despite his size he is one of the best IAA ROT's I have ever seen. It is amazing that he can play as big as he does. Really drives people off the ball, and has learned the position well. Sets up very quickly in pass pro and does not EVER get over-powered at this level. Repeat punches to make up for short arms, and recoils very quickly. Not sure if the rules of physics could ever be suspended this far at the next though. Has a chance to move inside to OG for somebody's practice squad, but he MUST bulk up. GRADE: Neutral

College: Coastal Carolina Conference: Big South Columnist: staff
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Quinton Teal 7 6' 1.0" 193 4.50 S 2007: A very talented pure hitter. Doesn't always have success wrapping up because he goes for tackles other guys would just pile inspect on. The Chants 3-deep zone was beaten badly repeatedly on seam passes throughout the first 2.5 quarters when they finally went to a man on man. Quinton was not tested 1-on-1 but looks quick enough and fluid enough to cover his area when it isn't half the football field. Is strong and could match up physically with most TEs and WRs at any level. GRADE: Slightly positive

Tyler Thigpen 16 6' 3.0" 220 4.65 QB 2007: This was my first look at Tyler in person and I was VERY impressed. The guy was a flanker and wingback in high school and has really developed. The kid can throw the ball...anywhere, any time. Didn't see the deep out, but everything else was there. Really zips it when he has to and can lay the fade up there and display touch as well. Has pro size. Scrambles nicely away from pressure and can tuck and run for big yardage. Classic dropback. Classic delivery. Spirals are good. Shows he can put it where he wants it to go. A developmental guy who better be in somebody's camp, because they are NOT going to cut this kid unless they have 4 Dan Marion's ahead of him. Gutys, competitive. A leader who has all the tools. GRADE: Very positive.

Jamar Leath 34 6' 1.3" 230 4.65 LB 2007: Just another fine IAA Mike. Was in on quite a few tackles but didn't overly impress with any physical characteristic. Could play in Canada because of his quickness. Don't know if he'd do that well in pass D though....GRADE: neutral

Other Notes:

Junior RB Kevin Richardson for App. St. will be drafted late next year. CB Whitman Reese for Coastal played a great game, but the most impressive underclassman in this contest was a toss up between Edwards and Coastal WR Jerome Simpson who has absolutely huge in the 2nd half comeback attempt.