Started this thread as an ongoing discussion of the App State program.
The final score of App’s loss to Troy was misleading. The game, played on Troy’s field in a steady, heavy, cold rain, was a balanced defensive struggle for three quarters. The first quarter ended scoreless…
The third quarter ended 21-17 Troy with App ready to go for it on fourth and inches at the 50. After the quarter break, App immediately got called for motion, killing their drive.
After receiving the punt Troy drove down the field and took a 28-17 lead with a TD at 10:51.
On App’s first play after the kickoff, Troy pulled off a strip sack, fumble recovery for a TD - making it 35-17 -completely changing the tone of the game.
App then drove to the one but had a false start. The QB fumbled into the end zone on the next play but . App recovered it for a TD to close it to 35-23 at 5:32. App went for two and didn’t get it.
Former Miami back-up punter Connor Maynard then tried an onside kick - unsuccessfully. Troy then moved the ball 40 yards in about six plays for another TD, making it 42-23 at 4:30.
App moved the ball to midfield but their QB was strip sacked again at 3:38. Troy immediately ripped off a 51 yard TD run to make the final score 49-23.
Troy is solid. Their only losses this year were a competitive game at Kansas State and a two point loss to JMU.
App QB Joey Aguilar is a 6’3 220 pound Northern California kid who is currently tied with Michael
Penix, Jr for third in most passing touchdowns behind Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix.
App started the year strong with an FCS win over a solid Gardner-Webb team, a tough 2OT loss at UNC, and a win over ECU. They then lost a one score game at Wyoming on a Cowboys blocked FG returned for an TD. App woke up after two more close losses to Coastal and to ODU and won out, handing JMU its only loss on the season in OT.
