ASU-Samford final notes
Appalachian State, which toppled Samford 35-17 today, once again controls its destiny in its quest for an unprecedented seventh straight Southern Conference championship.
Wofford’s 26-21 loss to Furman today played into that. That loss by the Terriers, who beat ASU earlier this season, dropped them to 3-1 in the SoCon.
ASU (3-1) will play Georgia Southern (5-0) next Saturday. If the Mountaineers win their remaining SoCon games, they will be assured of at least a tie for the SoCon title.
Cornerback Ed Gainey and outside linebacker/defensive end Lanston Tanyi were absent from ASU’s lineup today against Samford.
Gainey and Tanyi had been out two games earlier this season due to a suspension, but played in the Mountaineers’ most recent two games against Wofford and The Citadel and participated in practice in the early stages of this past week.
Mike Flynn, ASU’s sports information director, said that Gainey and Tanyi are not currently participating with the team because of a “university disciplinary issue.”
Coach Jerry Moore of ASU said that he didn’t know if or when Gainey and Tanyi would return. “I just really don’t know,” he said.
Both Gainey and Tanyi had been suspended earlier this season for “violation of team rules,” and they sat out games against Savannah State and Chattanooga as a result.
DeAndre Presley, replaced by Jamal Jackson as ASU’s starting quarterback, was back in the starting lineup today – at cornerback.
ASU coaches were considering trying Presley at another position, although there was some reluctance to risk the backup quarterback elsewhere in the lineup. But the absence of Gainey prompted the move to the defensive backfield. Presley had just two practices at corner – Wednesday and Thursday – and Friday’s walkthrough.
Presley began the game in the starting lineup as part of a five-defensive back set, and wound up playing regularly. On ASU’s second defensive series, Presley forced a fumble that was recovered by the Mountaineers at Samford’s 10-yard line.
He wound up with six tackles.
“We were short on DBs and I said I’d love to do it,” Presley said. “It felt great. I just played and had fun.”
Jackson said: “He did a heck of a job. I guess we’ve got a new corner, watch out in the SoCon.”
Interestingly, Samford didn’t try to isolate and challenge Presley when he was in the game.
“We were going to go out and do our game plan and we know what kind of outstanding athlete DeAndre Presley is,” Coach Pat Sullivan of Samford said. “We weren’t going to go and pick on one guy. I think as good as Appalachian State is across the board with all their players that would make it a tough situation.”
The Mountaineers’ secondary had two interceptions, both by sophomore cornerback Rodger Walker
Cedric Baker Boney, a senior running back who was the Mountaineers’ second-leading rusher, missed today’s game as expected with a shoulder injury and he could miss the rest of the season. The recovery time for Baker Boney is expected to be six to eight weeks.
Junior Terrence McLean made his first start at running back. He opened in a two-back set with Travaris Cadet, but didn’t get a carry
Moore has talked about getting Cadet involved often on offense and getting him as many touches as possible, and he played an elevated rule as running back today. Cadet had 22 carries for 139 yards and two touchdowns.
“I’m used on offense a million different ways, so defenses never know,” Cadet said.
“Jamal is doing a fine job, he’s making great throws, and that makes my job much easier.”
Sophomore Drew Stewart kicked all five of ASU’s extra points after regular placekicker Sam Martin missed a 28-yard field goal and was hampered by a groin injury.
It sounds as if Stewart will assume kicking duties from Martin, who will continue to be the punter.
“We can’t just keep missing field goals,” Moore said. “And Drew has kicked very, very well. He’s been very consistent in practice.”
Brian Quick set an ASU record with the 26th touchdown reception of his career. He topped the mark previously held by Bob Agle, who played in the late 1960s.