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Evans' 3 TDs lead No. 20 App State to Sun Belt title, 45-38
BOONE, N.C. (AP) Moments after his team won its second straight Sun Belt Conference championship game, Appalachian State coach Eli Drinkwitz continued to set the bar higher.
''It better be the Cotton Bowl!'' Drinkwitz told fans on the field at Kidd Brewer Stadium when asked where he thought his team should play next.
Darrynton Evans scored three touchdowns and 20th-ranked Appalachian State won its fourth straight Sun Belt championship overall with a 45-38 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday. Evans was named the game's MVP for the second season in a row.
Zac Thomas threw for 149 yards and two touchdowns and Daetrich Harrington and Marcus Williams added touchdown runs. The Mountaineers racked up 416 yards on offense, including 267 on the ground - most of those in a dominating first half.
Drinkwitz set the goal of repeating as champions since taking over as head coach earlier this season after Scott Satterfield left for Louisville.
He kept a poker chip with him since late May, a symbol to remind his team of its goal this season. He pulled it out of his pocket after the game and thanked his players, saying ''we asked then to keep the chip all year long and be motivated to do something that has never been done before. And this group did it. Impressive.''
The Mountaineers (12-1, 8-1 Sun Belt) accomplished something North Carolina, Duke, North Carolina State and Wake Forest never have - becoming the first FBS team from North Carolina to win 12 games in a season.
Appalachian State defeated Lafayette 17-7 early this season on the road, but this one featured more offense.
The Mountaineers entered the game averaging 38.9 points per game and showed their firepower in the first half by scoring touchdowns on their first five possessions - the first three by Evans - to build a 35-14 lead.
Thomas got things going when he found Evans on a perfectly executed screen pass on third-and-15, resulting in a 58-yard touchdown less than two minutes into the game. After defensive tackle E.J. Scott forced and recovered a fumble at midfield on Lafayette's next possession, the Mountaineers cashed in with a 8-yard touchdown run by Evans. Then Thomas made it 21-0 when he connected with Evans in the flat for a 5-yard score.
''We just dug too deep of a hole,'' Lafayette coach Billy Napier said. ''It was 21-0 before you could look around.''
Thomas said it was important for App State to get a lead early.
''We knew they hadn't won a game trailing, so that was our goal this week to start off fast and let them play from behind,'' Thomas said. ''We maintained the lead, so we pride ourselves on offense starting fast and getting points on the board. At the beginning we were 5-for-5 on touchdowns. We were just rolling, and no one could stop us at that point. Everything was working for us at that point, throwing, running it. It was just unbelievable to see that.''
Levi Lewis threw for a Sun Belt championship game-record 354 yards and four touchdowns for Lafayette (10-3, 8-2). But the left-hander turned the ball over twice, including an interception that returned 16 yards for a score by linebacker Josh Thomas in the third quarter that gave App State a 42-17 lead.
''We made a few too many mistakes to be a champion today,'' Napier said. ''But for us to get back and make it a one-score game I'm proud of our players.''
POLL IMPLICATIONS
The Mountaineers could eclipse a school record if they move up higher than No. 20 in the AP poll. Their current ranking tied a school record set earlier this season before they briefly fell out of the top 25 with their only loss to division rival Georgia Southern.
THE TAKEAWAY
Lafayette: After limiting the Mountaineers to 17 points and keeping Evans in check in the first meeting, the Ragin' Cajuns didn't seem remotely prepared for what was coming this time around. Their defensive line got nearly no penetration on the QB, and when they did they were fooled by screen passes. Giving up five TDs on five possessions is never a good look, although they did keep App State in check in the second half.
Appalachian State: The Mountaineers looked like a well-oiled machine on offense with its big front controlling the line of scrimmage by blowing off the ball. Harrington ran for 89 yards, Williams had 78 and Evans 73 for App State. ''Our offensive line was getting the second level, and that is something we were doing in the first game we played them,'' Evans said.
COACHING RUMORS
Drinkwitz and Napier have been the subject of coaching rumors, and naturally both did their best to deflect attention.
''My family and I love it here and are very excited about what we're doing at Appalachian State,'' Drinkwitz said. ''But at the same time I owe it to my family to see if it is something we are interested in. ... But I'm not in any hurry to leave.''
Napier said he loves coaching at Lafayette, but he didn't rule anything out, either, saying there is a lot of consider including quality of life, family and the people you work for.
UP NEXT
Both teams will wait to hear where they're headed to play in bowl games on Sunday.
Copyright 2019 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 0 | 20 |
Rushing | 0 | 16 |
Passing | 0 | 4 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 5-13 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 2-3 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 396 |
Total Plays | 0 | 68 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 5.8 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 267 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 51 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 5.2 |
Yards Passing | 0 | 149 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 9-17 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 7.6 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 6-39 |
Touchdowns | 6 | |
Rushing TDs | 0 | 3 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 2 |
Other | 1 | |
Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 1-1 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 4-43.8 |
Return Yards | 42 | |
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 2-26 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 1-16 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
Z. Thomas
12 QB
|
Z. Thomas | 9/17 | 149 | 2 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
D. Harrington
4 RB
|
D. Harrington | 9 | 89 | 1 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Williams Jr.
26 RB
|
M. Williams Jr. | 8 | 78 | 1 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Evans
3 RB
|
D. Evans | 19 | 73 | 1 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Thomas
12 QB
|
Z. Thomas | 13 | 25 | 0 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ma. Williams
14 WR
|
Ma. Williams | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Virgil
11 WR
|
J. Virgil | 1 | -5 | 0 | -5 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
D. Evans
3 RB
|
D. Evans | 2 | 2 | 63 | 2 | 58 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Hennigan
5 WR
|
T. Hennigan | 6 | 4 | 50 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ma. Williams
14 WR
|
Ma. Williams | 2 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Virgil
11 WR
|
J. Virgil | 3 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
H. Pearson
88 TE
|
H. Pearson | 4 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
S. Jean-Charles
8 DB
|
S. Jean-Charles | 7-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Jolly
3 DB
|
S. Jolly | 7-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Franklin
6 DB
|
D. Franklin | 7-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Fehr
59 LB
|
J. Fehr | 6-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Davis-Gaither
24 LB
|
A. Davis-Gaither | 6-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Cook
20 LB
|
N. Cook | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Thomas
7 DB
|
J. Thomas | 4-1 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Cobb
45 LB
|
T. Cobb | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Scott
98 DL
|
E. Scott | 3-4 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Taylor
48 DL
|
D. Taylor | 3-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Hampton
31 LB
|
N. Hampton | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Jackson
52 LB
|
D. Jackson | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Spurlin
97 DL
|
C. Spurlin | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Diarrassouba
57 DL
|
E. Diarrassouba | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Ross
26 DB
|
N. Ross | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Dawkins
91 DL
|
T. Dawkins | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. Staton
91 K
|
C. Staton | 1/1 | 35 | 6/6 | 9 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
X. Subotsch
39 P
|
X. Subotsch | 4 | 43.8 | 2 | 47 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. Evans
3 RB
|
D. Evans | 2 | 13.0 | 20 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Hennigan
5 WR
|
T. Hennigan | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
13:02 | LALAF 12 | 1:16 | 3 | 35 | Fumble |
9:38 | LALAF 25 | 1:06 | 3 | 6 | Punt |
1:43 | LALAF 29 | 1:18 | 5 | 71 | TD |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
13:27 | LALAF 24 | 5:14 | 11 | 76 | TD |
4:13 | LALAF 20 | 2:38 | 7 | 58 | FG Miss |
0:51 | LALAF 27 | 0:43 | 6 | 23 | FG |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | LALAF 22 | 0:53 | 3 | 7 | Punt |
12:32 | LALAF 30 | 3:56 | 10 | 44 | Fumble |
6:32 | LALAF 9 | 0:26 | 2 | 89 | INT |
5:57 | LALAF 37 | 3:16 | 9 | 63 | TD |
2:01 | APLST 12 | 0:55 | 3 | -23 | FG Miss |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
14:47 | LALAF 6 | 1:45 | 5 | 16 | Punt |
8:12 | LALAF 24 | 3:54 | 14 | 76 | TD |
2:28 | LALAF 36 | 1:09 | 7 | 64 | TD |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | APLST 25 | 1:58 | 6 | 75 | TD |
11:38 | LALAF 47 | 2:00 | 5 | 47 | TD |
8:25 | APLST 24 | 6:42 | 15 | 71 | TD |
0:25 | APLST 25 | 0:00 | 5 | 75 | TD |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
8:13 | APLST 25 | 4:00 | 9 | 75 | TD |
1:31 | APLST 22 | 0:22 | 1 | -3 | Punt |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
14:01 | APLST 22 | 1:19 | 3 | 7 | Punt |
8:27 | APLST 28 | 1:45 | 4 | 22 | Punt |
2:41 | APLST 25 | 0:31 | 2 | 63 | Fumble |
1:01 | APLST 35 | 0:37 | 3 | 6 | Punt |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
12:53 | APLST 39 | 4:37 | 7 | 43 | FG |
4:18 | LALAF 42 | 1:42 | 5 | -2 | Downs |
1:19 | LALAF 47 | 0:24 | 2 | -18 | Game |
- TD (6 plays, 75 yards, 1:58 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) 45-K.Almendares kicks 65 yards from ULL 35 to APP End Zone. touchback. |
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - APLST 25 (15:00 - 1st) 3-D.Evans to APP 28 for 3 yards (16-P.Butler59-J.Boudreaux). |
No Gain | 2 & 7 - APLST 28 (14:28 - 1st) 12-Z.Thomas incomplete. Intended for 11-J.Virgil. |
+19 YD | 3 & 7 - APLST 28 (14:21 - 1st) 12-Z.Thomas complete to 14-M.Williams. 14-M.Williams runs ob at APP 47 for 19 yards. |
-5 YD | 1 & 10 - APLST 47 (13:53 - 1st) 11-J.Virgil to APP 42 for -5 yards (38-T.Miller). |
No Gain | 2 & 15 - APLST 42 (13:20 - 1st) 12-Z.Thomas incomplete. Intended for 5-T.Hennigan. |
+58 YD | 3 & 15 - APLST 42 (13:14 - 1st) 12-Z.Thomas complete to 3-D.Evans. 3-D.Evans runs 58 yards for a touchdown. |
PAT Good | (13:02 - 1st) 91-C.Staton extra point is good. |
- Fumble (3 plays, 35 yards, 1:16 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (13:02 - 1st) 91-C.Staton kicks 63 yards from APP 35. 2-J.Bradley to ULL 12 for 10 yards (10-T.Frizzell34-J.Heilig). |
-1 YD | 1 & 10 - LALAF 12 (12:57 - 1st) 4-R.Calais to ULL 11 for -1 yard (6-D.Franklin). |
+43 YD | 2 & 11 - LALAF 11 (12:19 - 1st) 1-L.Lewis complete to 29-P.LeBlanc. 29-P.LeBlanc to APP 46 for 43 yards (8-S.Jean-Charles). |
-7 YD | 1 & 10 - LALAF 46 (11:46 - 1st) 4-R.Calais to APP 49 FUMBLES (98-E.Scott). 98-E.Scott to ULL 47 for no gain. |
- TD (5 plays, 47 yards, 2:00 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
+9 YD | 1 & 10 - LALAF 47 (11:38 - 1st) 12-Z.Thomas complete to 5-T.Hennigan. 5-T.Hennigan to ULL 38 for 9 yards (27-C.Solomon). |
+5 YD | 2 & 1 - LALAF 38 (11:06 - 1st) 12-Z.Thomas to ULL 33 for 5 yards. |
+25 YD | 1 & 10 - LALAF 33 (10:35 - 1st) 12-Z.Thomas pushed ob at ULL 8 for 25 yards (19-E.Garror). |
No Gain | 1 & 8 - LALAF 8 (10:20 - 1st) 26-M.Williams to ULL 8 for no gain (15-B.Higgins). |
+8 YD | 2 & 8 - LALAF 8 (9:43 - 1st) 3-D.Evans runs 8 yards for a touchdown. |
PAT Good | (9:38 - 1st) 91-C.Staton extra point is good. |
- Punt (3 plays, 6 yards, 1:06 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (9:38 - 1st) 91-C.Staton kicks 40 yards from APP 35 to ULL 25 fair catch by 2-J.Bradley. |
+6 YD | 1 & 10 - LALAF 25 (9:38 - 1st) 15-E.Mitchell to ULL 31 for 6 yards (59-J.Fehr24-A.Davis-Gaither). |
No Gain | 2 & 4 - LALAF 31 (9:13 - 1st) 15-E.Mitchell to ULL 31 for no gain (7-J.Thomas45-T.Cobb). |
No Gain | 3 & 4 - LALAF 31 (8:36 - 1st) 1-L.Lewis incomplete. Intended for 17-J.Jackson. |
Punt | 4 & 4 - LALAF 31 (8:32 - 1st) 47-R.Byrns punts 45 yards from ULL 31 to APP 24 fair catch by 5-T.Hennigan. |
- TD (15 plays, 71 yards, 6:42 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
+15 YD | 1 & 10 - APLST 24 (8:25 - 1st) 12-Z.Thomas complete to 5-T.Hennigan. 5-T.Hennigan to APP 39 for 15 yards (2-L.McCaskill). |
+8 YD | 1 & 10 - APLST 39 (7:56 - 1st) 26-M.Williams to APP 47 for 8 yards (16-P.Butler). |
+20 YD | 2 & 2 - APLST 47 (7:19 - 1st) 26-M.Williams to ULL 33 for 20 yards (16-P.Butler). |
+1 YD | 1 & 10 - LALAF 33 (6:45 - 1st) 3-D.Evans to ULL 32 for 1 yard (6-K.Moncrief38-T.Miller). |
+7 YD | 2 & 9 - LALAF 32 (6:13 - 1st) 12-Z.Thomas to ULL 25 for 7 yards. |
+1 YD | 3 & 2 - LALAF 25 (5:38 - 1st) 12-Z.Thomas to ULL 24 for 1 yard (16-P.Butler). |
+1 YD | 4 & 1 - LALAF 24 (5:07 - 1st) 3-D.Evans to ULL 23 for 1 yard (11-M.Jacquet2-L.McCaskill). |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - LALAF 23 (4:51 - 1st) 3-D.Evans to ULL 23 for no gain (4-Z.Hill). |
No Gain | 2 & 10 - LALAF 23 (4:18 - 1st) 12-Z.Thomas incomplete. Intended for 88-H.Pearson. |
+9 YD | 3 & 10 - LALAF 23 (4:10 - 1st) 12-Z.Thomas complete to 11-J.Virgil. 11-J.Virgil runs ob at ULL 14 for 9 yards. |
+4 YD | 4 & 1 - LALAF 14 (3:43 - 1st) 12-Z.Thomas to ULL 10 for 4 yards (59-J.Boudreaux16-P.Butler). |
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - LALAF 10 (3:08 - 1st) 3-D.Evans to ULL 6 for 4 yards (59-J.Boudreaux3-J.Dillon). |
+1 YD | 2 & 6 - LALAF 6 (2:26 - 1st) 3-D.Evans to ULL 5 for 1 yard (59-J.Boudreaux4-Z.Hill). |
+5 YD | 3 & 5 - LALAF 5 (1:50 - 1st) 12-Z.Thomas complete to 3-D.Evans. 3-D.Evans runs 5 yards for a touchdown. |
Penalty | 1 & 10 - LALAF 2 (1:43 - 1st) Penalty on APP 18-M.Evans False start 5 yards enforced at ULL 2. No Play. |
PAT Good | (1:43 - 1st) 91-C.Staton extra point is good. |
- TD (5 plays, 71 yards, 1:18 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (1:43 - 1st) 91-C.Staton kicks 54 yards from APP 35. 21-C.Smith to ULL 29 for 18 yards (10-T.Frizzell). |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - LALAF 29 (1:37 - 1st) 1-L.Lewis incomplete. Intended for 2-J.Bradley. |
+21 YD | 2 & 10 - LALAF 29 (1:29 - 1st) 1-L.Lewis complete to 17-J.Jackson. 17-J.Jackson pushed ob at APP 50 for 21 yards (24-A.Davis-Gaither). |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - LALAF 50 (0:56 - 1st) 1-L.Lewis incomplete. Intended for 9-T.Ragas. |
+13 YD | 2 & 10 - LALAF 50 (0:48 - 1st) 9-T.Ragas to APP 37 for 13 yards (24-A.Davis-Gaither8-S.Jean-Charles). |
+37 YD | 1 & 10 - APLST 37 (0:33 - 1st) 1-L.Lewis complete to 29-P.LeBlanc. 29-P.LeBlanc runs 37 yards for a touchdown. |
PAT Good | (0:25 - 1st) 36-S.Artigue extra point is good. |
- TD (5 plays, 75 yards, 0:00 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (0:25 - 1st) 45-K.Almendares kicks 65 yards from ULL 35 to APP End Zone. touchback. |
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - APLST 25 (0:25 - 1st) 4-D.Harrington to APP 27 for 2 yards (3-J.Dillon59-J.Boudreaux). |
+8 YD | 2 & 8 - APLST 27 (15:00 - 2nd) 4-D.Harrington to APP 35 for 8 yards (7-F.Gardner25-D.Wallace). |
+14 YD | 1 & 10 - APLST 35 (14:35 - 2nd) 12-Z.Thomas complete to 5-T.Hennigan. 5-T.Hennigan pushed ob at APP 49 for 14 yards (11-M.Jacquet). |
+22 YD | 1 & 10 - APLST 49 (14:05 - 2nd) 4-D.Harrington pushed ob at ULL 29 for 22 yards (25-D.Wallace). |
+29 YD | 1 & 10 - LALAF 29 (13:34 - 2nd) 26-M.Williams runs 29 yards for a touchdown. |
PAT Good | (13:27 - 2nd) 91-C.Staton extra point is good. |