Box Score Game Book (pdf)
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Wofford College used big plays in the first half to take a lead, but Appalachian State scored 17 unanswered in the fourth quarter for a 44-34 win on Saturday afternoon at Gibbs Stadium. The teams combined for 1148 yards of total offense in the game that featured three touchdowns of over 64 yards for the Terriers.
The Terriers fall to 1-5 on the season and 0-3 in the SoCon, while Appalachian State is 4-2 overall and 3-0 in the conference. The Terriers were led by Mike Rucker with 104 yards rushing and a touchdown, while Derek Boyce, Mitch Allen and Austin Palmer all added rushing touchdowns. The Mountaineers were led by All-American Armanti Edwards with 415 passing yards. Devon Moore had 180 rushing yards and Brian Quick had 181 receiving yards, with both scoring two touchdowns.
“We played extremely hard against a very good football team,” said head coach Mike Ayers. “I thought that our kids did not back down. When you look at what occurred last year, there was a lot to get over. We came into this game a beat up team and we lost some more guys early. At the same time, we fought the fight. I told them that I am as proud of them right now as if we had won the game. We got better and that is the whole focus right now – getting better each week. We got better this week. This one is over and we have to get back to work and understand that you can’t beat yourself first and foremost. The next challenge is on the road and these guys are going to need to let go of this one and get on to the next one. I am proud of my guys.”
The Mountaineers opened the game with a 57-yard pass completion to CoCo Hillary from Armanti Edwards, which set-up a 30-yard field goal from Jason Vitaris at 10:23 for an early lead.
Wofford answered on their first play from scrimmage when Derek Boyce raced 74-yards down the near sideline for the touchdown at 10:08 in the first. The extra point was missed, making it a 6-3 game. Both teams then traded punts. On the third drive of the day for ASU, Blake Wylie forced and recovered a fumble for the Terriers.
The Terriers turned the ball over on downs after not converting a fourth-and-one. With the ball back, the Mountaineers attempted a 43-yard field goal, but it was wide right. Wofford used another big play with a 64-yard touchdown run up the middle from Mike Rucker to take a 13-3 lead at 13:47.
Appalachian State responded with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Armanti Edwards to Brian Quick at 11:23 to make it a 13-10 game. The Terriers used a big play again to regain the lead when on third and one, Mitch Allen found Brenton Bersin for a 66-yard touchdown at 9:57 for a 20-10 lead.
The Mountaineers were able to cut into the Terrier’s lead with a 39-yard field goal from Jason Vitaris at 7:06 for a 20-13 score. But Wofford answered again with a four-yard touchdown run by Mitch Allen with 47 seconds left in the first half to take a 27-13 lead. However with time left, Armanti Edwards was able to put together a five-play drive to cover 53 yards that was capped by a three-yard run by Edwards to make it a 27-20 score at the half.
On the first drive of the second half for Wofford, Austin Palmer ended the drive with a two-yard run with 12:22 on the clock for a 34-20 lead. The Terriers defense forced a three-and-out, but on the next possession Mitch Allen was intercepted by Mark LeGree. The Mountaineers were able to convert the turnover into points when Devon Moore had a 48-yard touchdown run for a 34-27 score with 6:16 left in the third quarter.
After a three-and-out for Wofford, the Mountaineers drove inside the ten-yard line. Josh Roseborough sacked Armanti Edwards for a loss of 22 yards, which forced ASU to settle for a 49-yard field goal by Vitaris at 14:54 in the fourth for a 34-30 margin.
The Terriers had a long kickoff return by Stephon Shelton, but Wofford turned the ball over on a fumble on fourth down. Appalachian State was able to drive down the field and score on a two-yard touchdown by Devon Moore at the 10:00 mark to give the Mountaineers a 37-34 lead.
With the ball back, Stev Davitte was under center for the Terriers. After gaining one first down, Wofford punted with 8:02 on the clock. The Mountaineers needed only three plays to extend the lead with a 57-yard touchdown pass from Armanti Edwards to Brian Quick for a 44-34 advantage.
Wofford got the ball back and drove to the ASU 21-yard line, but a fumble gave the ball back to the Mountaineers with 4:01 left on the clock. Appalachian State was able to hold the ball and punted with just twenty seconds left in the game. The Terriers had two 20+ gains on passes to Brenton Bersin and Justice Joslin, but a throw to the end zone on the final play of the game by Chris White was intercepted to end the game.
The Terriers had 537 total yards, including 384 on the ground. Appalachian State had 611 total yards, with 415 through the air. The Mountaineers had the time of possession advantage. Wofford was 6-of-12 on third downs and 1-of-3 on fourth down. Appalachian State was 5-of-14 on third down and two-of-two on fourth down.
Wofford will play at Western Carolina next Saturday. The game will kickoff at 4:00 pm and be broadcast locally on WMYA-40.
Wofford vs. Appalachian State Post-Game Notes
Derek Boyce scored the first touchdown in his career on only his second carry this season and the sixth carry of his career.
Mike Rucker had 104 yards rushing, his second 100+ rushing game of the season and fourth of his career.
The Wofford defense recorded three sacks and six tackles for loss, while the Terrier offensive line did not allow a sack for the second-straight game.
Wofford’s 537 yards of total offense were the most this season, however the 611 yards of offense by Appalachian State was the most allowed since the two teams met last season (620 yards).
The 62-yard kickoff return by Stephon Shelton was the longest of the season for the Terriers.
Josh Roseborough recorded the first sack of his career in the third quarter.
Injuries in the game included Derek Boyce (knee) and Hunter Hobson (knee).
Game captains for Wofford were Grant Duren and Hunt Marion.
Attendance was 8,330 at Gibbs Stadium.
