Make no mistake, this is a very big game to App State (1-1), a team that won 11 games previous year and almost beat Tennessee to open this season.
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Miami will enter Saturday’s game at 2-0. They trailed 14-6 at halftime of a 45-6 loss at Georgia in 2013, when Richt was coaching the Bulldogs and Appalachian State coach Scott Satterfield was leading the Mountaineers through their final FCS season. Luckily, he had RB Mark Walton there to help out the Hurricane offense which he ran for 155 yards and even a career-high of four touchdowns to help get the win over Florida Atlantic.
Despite starting three freshman linebackers in the opener and rotating a sophomore defensive back in at one spot in the second game, the Hurricanes have dominated their first two opponents by a combined 108-13 score. He had a 20.4 total quarterback rating and a completion percentage of 54.8, which was the third lowest in any game he has played at Miami. Kaaya is coming off one of his poorest games – two interceptions and no scoring passes – but his history and a talented receiving corps suggests he’ll rebound from a slow start.EXTRA POINTS: 1. Appalachian State (1-1), which received votes in this week’s Coaches’ Poll, is trying to crash the Top 25 for the first time in program history, while No. 25 Miami (2-0) is trying to make a statement as a serious contender in the ACC and improve to 3-0 in its first year under Mark Richt. We don’t even have to say that to our guys. He and freshman Shaq Quarterman, who has been in on 10 tackles, have both started the first two games. We won the “07 (game), but it’s been a while since we’ve beaten a ‘Power Five” like that.
No one wants to play Appalachian State. 9 Tennessee to overtime in a hard-luck loss in their season opener in front of 100,000 people.
Appalachian State gave up only 127 yards rushing on 43 carries against Tennessee. Miami needs Brad Kaaya to play better. Johnson has seven tackles.
Miami’s 4-3 scheme under new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz has already paid dividends. The Canes also are No. 1 nationally in rushing defense, giving up an nearly unfathomable average of 34.5 rushing yards in the first two games against FAMU and FAU. Through the first two weeks of the season, the Hurricanes are No. 1 in the FBS with 10 sacks. The Canes lead the nation in rushing defense (34.5 ypg) and are sixth nationally in rushing offense (326 ypg).
The Hurricanes are now the stingiest defense against the run, allowing just 34.5 yards per game on the ground. Cox’s running room could be limited against Miami’s physical and athletic defense.
BOONE, N.C. (AP) While Appalachian State fell short in its upset bid of then-No.
Considering how closely Appalachian State played Tennessee, the Hurricanes should not take this game lightly.
The Mountaineers don’t have much to brag about especially when it comes to their outside running game, and if the Hurricanes can use that to their advantage and under control they wouldn’t have much to worry about whatsoever.
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The game itself features teams with a similar makeup who go about things different ways. Staley has written for Bleacher Report, the Miami Herald and the Palm Beach Post and is a reporter for Pro Player Insiders.
