The “Cinderella” story 2 Losses Past Midnight
Appalachian State put Boone NC squarely on the map at the beginning of this season by upending Michigan and I would guess they have had hundreds of thousands more Google hits than last year, despite all that the Mountaineers don’t seem to be as good as last year. Wofford and now Georgia Southern have turned Appalachian State into a pumpkin.
Armanti Edwards who was so electrifying in Ann Arbor was 10 of 21 for 178 yards and 1 score but 2 interceptions and had 29 carries for 246 yards. He is still scintillating but at times he pressed. Georgia Southern’s offense charge was co-lead by Jayson Foster, who had 14 yards passing on 3 attempts, 3 receptions for 41 yards and 175 yards rushing on 20 carries with 1 TD, bring back the Single Wing! Also by Billy Lowe who had 145 yards passing on 8 of 11 with 1 TD and -3 yards rushing on 4 attempts. Though The Mountaineers had the superior 3rd down conversion percentage converting 7 of 15, to GA Southern’s 3 of 11, GA Southern had 3 crucial 4th down attempts out of 3 attempts and Appalachian was unsuccessful on their only 4th down attempt. On defense the ASU stalwarts that stymied the Wolverines were not able to stop the GA Southern offense when they had to.
Despite 557 yards of total offense and a furious fourth-quarter rally, Appalachian State University’s 30-game home winning streak came to an end with a heartbreaking 38-35 loss to Georgia Southern on Saturday afternoon at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Jayson Foster was spectacular for Georgia Southern. The senior lined up at three different positions (quarterback, running back and wide receiver) and finished the afternoon with 175 yards on 20 rushes, 41 yards on three receptions and 14 yards on 3-of-3 passing.
Appalachian State
OFFENSE
Sophomore QB Armanti Edwards 6’0” 177 still showed a mix of mobility 4.58 [est.] and arm strength but made critical errors and was not accurate throwing the ball. He is young and if he adds strength and improves his touch and mechanics he has a chance to play QB at the next level if not he’ll get looks at DB or WR.
WR #2 5’8.7” 178 4.36 [est.]Dexter Jackson who did so much damage in Ann Arbor was limited to 39 yards on 3 punt returns. You have to get more from one D-1AA’s top playmakers. Jackson’s return skills and speed give him a chance to be drafted or a priority UDFA.
OG #76 6’4.7” 3055.28 [est] Kerry Brown is one of the finest O-Line prospects in his level of football and is playing OG but with his height and feet he could play outside at the next level, he’ll need to work on his pass pro sets and get stronger but he has the tools. Brown could go anywhere after the middle of the 6th.
TB #21 5’7.6” 190 4.54 [est.] Kevin Richardson who is the Mike Hart of his level of competition, had 20 carries for 88 yards 1 TD and added 69 yards receiving of 5 catches and tallied another TD, very good but not truly dominant. Richardson is likely to go undrafted but he could stick as a 3rd down, change of pace back, if he improves his blitz pickup and routes he could be used like Kevin Faulk.
DEFENSE
Notes: Junior OLB Pierre Banks 5’11.7” 218 [4.66 est] Though not as explosive as Dexter Caokley, Banks could end up being the best LB prospect to come of the mountain since. He has guide quickness and can sift through the “refuse,” but he’ll need to get stronger and work on coverage. On the day he had 2 solos 5 assists as well as 1 sack, 1 solo TFL and assisted on 2 others.
FS#16 5’11.7” 205 4.63 [est.] Lynch is smart, tough, has a nose for the ball and fills well in the “alley,” however he will likely be a career special teamer at the next level and my money says he’ll be a good one, think Bill Bates. For the game he had 4 solos and 4 assisted tackles.
GA Southern
Offense Notes: Though GA. Southern only has one player who has a real shot at playing in the NFL, that being said they played as a team and made few missteps.
WR# 4 5’7.3” 176 4.35 [est] Jayson Foster was the human highlight film lining up at 3 positions, running with the ball, catching the ball, throwing the ball and moving like a hummingbird. Foster will need to make it as a kick returner and become a 4th WR. If I were drafting in the 7th and my team did not have a terrific return man I’d take him.
