A strong performance saw the Appalachian State football team run past Savannah State, 41-6, at Kidd Brewer Stadium on Saturday night.
The Mountaineers’ running backs combined for 234 rushing yards over 44 carries and four touchdowns. Junior Steven Miller led the team with 60 yards on nine carries, along with a 3-yard score.
Travaris Cadet and Jamal Jackson also ran for touchdowns, while senior quarterback DeAndre Presley had a scamper into the end zone, as well as passing score.
In the receiving game for the Mountaineers (2-1), senior Brian Quick led the team with 81 yards on five catches, including a touchdown reception of 48 yards.
Tigers sophomore quarterback Antonio Bostick, also ran for a touchdown, while completing 15-of-33 attempts for 136 yards and an interception.
While Savannah State had possession of the ball for a majority of the game, it lacked the efficiency and protection of the ball which Appalachian State maintained. The Tigers had two turnovers on a fumble and interception, while the Mountaineers had no giveaways.
Appalachian State gets back on the field next week with a meeting against Chattanooga, while Savannah State looks to turn around an 0-3 start against North Carolina Central.
Spiders remain unbeaten
Richmond improved to 3-0 with a 34-19 victory against Virginia Military Institute at home this past weekend.
The Spiders put up 27 points before halftime, en route to a comfortable win. Richmond also scored all 34 of its points before VMI found its way to the scoreboard.
Sophomore Ben Edwards opened the scoring on a blocked punt return of 34 yards and the Spiders never looked back from there.
On the back of a strong performance by senior quarterback Aaron Corp, who threw for 220 yards on 12-of-18 passing, the Spiders cruised. Corp also had two touchdown throws to senior wideout Tre Gray, the first for 37 yards, followed by a shorter 4-yard catch for a score.
Junior fullback Kendall Gaskins added a touchdown on the ground through a 39-yard run, his longest run of the game in which he contributed a total of 71 yards.
The Keydets tacked on 19 points after the Spiders had concluded their scoring, including a safety, but the game was already out of reach.
The Spiders will take on Colonial Athletic Association foe New Hampshire next Saturday in an attempt to remain unbeaten.
Eagles still reeling
A strong rushing performance by the Montana Grizzlies led to Eastern Washington’s third defeat in as many games to open its season.
Montana moved the ball mostly on the ground, totaling 316 yards over 46 carries. Led by sophomore quarterback Jordan Johnson, who ran for 102 yards on 10 carries, the Grizzlies beat the Eagles, 17-14.
Johnson’s impressive rushing effort made up for a passing performance of 34 yards passing on 19 attempts, including a touchdown and an interception.
Eastern Washington senior quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell completed slightly more than half his passes in a 26-of-49 showing, with a touchdown and two interceptions.
The No. 10/12 team falls to 0-3 now after seeing nearly 36 minutes of the ball.
In those 36 minutes of possession, the Eagles accumulated 376 yards, which bettered Montana’s 350 yards. However, Eastern Washington failed to convert those yards into points and the defending Football Championship Subdivision champions remained winless..
The Eagles will try to right the ship at home against Montana State next Saturday, while the Grizzlies will look to improve upon their 2-1 standing at Sacramento State.
Jeffrey Okerman can be reached at [email protected].
