Box Score Game Box (pdf)
Inside Wofford Football
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College football team defeated Appalachian State 28-14 on Saturday afternoon at Gibbs Stadium. The Terriers overcame two turnovers and eight penalties with 388 rushing yards and a 17 minute advantage in time of possession to secure the first win over the Mountaineers since 2007.
The Terriers are 3-1 on the season and 2-0 in the SoCon. Appalachian State, ranked third in the nation, is 3-2 and 1-1 in the conference. Wofford was led by Eric Breitenstein with 173 yards on 33 carries, while Donovan Johnson had two rushing touchdowns on ten carries. The Wofford defense had three sacks and six tackles for loss. The Mountaineers were led by quarterback DeAndre Presley with 11 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, plus 19-of-32 passing for 146 yards and a touchdown.
“It was a great win,” said head coach Mike Ayers. “We worked hard for this one. You look at the season so far and it has been a growing process. We took a big step today. Our guys played unbelievably well, but we had some bonehead things as well. Somehow, someway we need to sharpen up and get better. Everybody knows that we are not where we can be.”
The Mountaineers had the ball first and were forced three-and-out. Wofford gained two first downs before a fourth-and-eight. A pass to Brad Nocek from Mitch Allen picked up the first down. The drive was capped by a one-yard touchdown run by Mitch Allen for a 7-0 lead with 9:00 on the clock.
Appalachian State started their next drive at the Wofford 40-yard line after a 55-yard kickoff return by Travaris Cadet. The Mountaineers converted a fourth-and-three, but a 33-yard field goal attempt by Sam Martin was wide right. Wofford gained a first down on a 27-yard run by Eric Breitenstein. Donovan Johnson then found a hole in the middle and went 39-yards for a touchdown. The Terriers had a 14-0 lead at 3:16 in the first quarter.
On the next drive by the Mountaineers, DeAndre Presley led a drive that picked up three first downs before he ran it in from 12-yards out for a touchdown. The score was 14-7 at the end of the first quarter. Wofford committed the first turnover of the game on a fumble by Mitch Allen. After a sack of DeAndre Presley by Alvin Scioneaux and Alex Goltry for a loss of ten yards, the Mountaineers tried a 52-yard field goal that went wide left.
Wofford moved the ball down field with four rushing first downs on a 16-play drive that took ten minutes, but Mitch Allen was intercepted in the end zone with 1:38 to go in the first half. Appalachian State gained one first down before a sack by Alex Goltry and a tackle for loss forced a punt. Wofford ran one play before halftime.
To open the second half, Stephon Shelton returned the kickoff to midfield, but the Terriers had to punt. Appalachian State then picked up four first downs before Sam Martin went wide left on a 33-yard field goal attempt. Wofford responded with a drive of 13 plays and 80 yards that was capped by a seven-yard touchdown run by Donovan Johnson for a 21-7 lead at 3:04 in the third quarter.
Appalachian State answered with a nine-yard touchdown pass from DeAndre Presley to Andrew Peacock to make it a 21-14 game with 14:13 on the clock in the fourth quarter. Wofford was able to convert a fourth-and-two by Eric Breitenstein to keep the next drive going. Derek Boyce scored on a 19-yard touchdown run to give the Terriers a 28-14 lead with 7:58 left in the fourth quarter.
The Mountaineers gained three first downs on their next drive, but a sack by Alex Goltry and a penalty pushed them back. On fourth-and-18, a pass was incomplete and the ball was turned over on downs. The Terriers got the ball back with 4:59 left in the fourth quarter and were able to gain two rushing first downs and run out the clock for the victory.
Wofford had 407 total yards, with 388 on the ground. Appalachian State had 247 yards, 146 of which were passing. Wofford had the time of possession advantage by a 38:30 to 21:30 margin. Wofford was 11-of-18 on third downs and 4-of-4 on fourth down. Appalachian State was 3-of-12 on third down and converted 3-of-4 fourth downs.
The Terriers will hit the road on October 8 and visit The Citadel in a 1:00 pm contest. The Bulldogs are 2-2 on the season after defeating Chattanooga 28-27 on Saturday evening.
Wofford vs. Appalachian State Post-Game Notes
Eric Breitenstein rushed for 173 yards, the third time this season with over 100 yards. The only game he has not rushed for over 100 yards was at Clemson. It marks his 13th career 100+ rushing game, which is tied for fourth in school history.
Derek Boyce had a 19-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, marking his first touchdown since the 2009 Appalachian State game.
Game captains were Andrew Young and Preston Roseboro.
Christian Reed (pelvis) was the lone Terrier injured in the game. His status will be updated during the week.
Attendance was 10,329 at Gibbs Stadium, the ninth-largest crowd in stadium history.
