ASU-Georgia Southern postgame notes
Appalachian State’s 24-17 victory over Georgia Southern today marked its first win against a team ranked No. 1 in FCS polls since a 17-16 victory over a top-ranked Georgia Southern team in 1999.
Now that the Eagles have been toppled, unbeaten North Dakota State will likely go to No. 1 in the polls. The No. 3 Bison beat No. 2 Northern Iowa 27-19 today.
No. 4 Montana State, 8-1 and with its only loss coming 27-10 at Utah, could move to No. 2 and No. 5 ASU perhaps to No. 3, although unbeaten Sam Houston State or 7-1 Maine might merit a top 3 spot.
ASU’s defense turned in probably its best defensive performance of the season, holding Georgia Southern’s heralded running game to 135 yards, and the Mountaineers’ passing game was effective. The only thing Coach Jerry Moore was disappointed in was the fact that the Eagles return a kickoff 78 yards and also scored on a 46-yard punt return.
Ten of the Eagles’ 17 points were as result of returns.
“We didn’t tackle well on special teams, but other than that it was a great day,” Moore said.
The Mountaineers were missing two starters on the offensive line today.
Left tackle Kendall Lamm sprained an ankle during Friday’s walkthrough and didn’t play. Neither did left guard Sherman Holt, who sprained an ankle last Wednesday in practice.
Sophomore Ian Barnard started at left tackle, and freshman Graham Fisher started at left guard. It was the first career start for both.
Drew Stewart’s 24-yard field goal in the second quarter was the first for ASU this season inside of 40 yards. The Mountaineers were 0 for 4, even though they were 3 for 4 outside 40.
Brooks Keel, Georgia Southern University’s president, will be on the Eagles’ injury report this week. He was watching from the sideline when he was clipped by a Georgia Southern player and broke an ankle.
Running back Travaris Cadet of ASU sustained a head injury on a run in the fourth quarter and will be evaluated Sunday.
Today’s game figured to be close, if results against common opponents held up. ASU won home games against Samford (35-17) and Chattanooga (14-12). Georgia Southern won at Samford (31-17) and at home against Chattanooga (28-27).
Furman, which has been on quite a roll of its own recently, is up next for ASU. The Mountaineers will face the Paladins next Saturday in Greenville, S.C. The Paladins handed Wofford its only SoCon loss two weeks ago and won at Chattanooga today.