Zach Matics kicked two field goals in overtime, including the game-winning 24-yarder, to help Appalachian State fend off upset-minded Troy, 44-41, in triple overtime on Saturday afternoon at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
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Although Troy’s record coming into the game was a mere 2-5, it was not indicative of their talent on the field.
Troy Trojans scored 22.7 points compared to allowed 31.0 points with point differential of -8.3. Just 55 seconds into the game, Blair displayed his terrific athleticism, when he made a leaping interception of a screen pass and pulled away from several would-be tacklers on his way to the 30-yard touchdown.
It was the first time all season the Mountaineers have been involved in a game that was competitive in the fourth quarter, and for a time, the Trojans had every opportunity to end App State’s quest for a Sun Belt title. “I think after such an emotional week last week, it’s hard – we’re all humans – it’s hard to come back with the same intensity we had last week”.
The Mountaineers offense kept having trouble working their way up the field a few times with penalties setting them back. Marcus Cox rushed for 144 yards on 30 carries. The Mountaineers finished a long drive with a Lamb 1-yard touchdown run to make it 31-24 near the end of the third.
After Lamb’s one-yard option dash gave Appalachian its 31-24 advantage to complete a 13-play, 75-yard march that burned almost six minutes off the clock in the third quarter, Troy answered with its 11-play, 70-yard drive to tie the game. “As soon as they hiked the ball and pitched it, we were right there”. The Trojans’ 450 yards were the most the Mountaineers have given up all season. Quarterback Brandon Silvers was then able to punch it home to put a knot on the score at 17-17. The Mountaineers produced 14 points off of Silvers’ two interceptions. The interception would mark Hayes’ first of his career and second of the game for the Mountaineers.
Troy tied the game following an 11-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Silvers to Teddy Ruben with 3:49 to play, and forced App State to go three-and-out on its next drive.
It only took Troy, who had the first possession of overtime, five plays to manage the first score of overtime, utilizing their dual-threat of passing and running to penetrate the Mountaineers defense like it had done all game.
It was then Troy’s run of the playground again, as a Jed Solomon kicked a 34-yard field goal to keep the game tied at 41-41.
“I want to practice what I preach”, TU coach Neal Brown said.
The third overtime had the Trojans’ fake field goal attempt that was stuffed before App State drove to the Troy 7 before Matics gave the Apps the walk-off win.
“Right when they snapped it everybody on the line got good penetration”, Burns said.
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App State will say the win was good for the team to show they can win a close game, but they showed a number of lapses on defense and seemed uncomfortable on offense. 909 field-goal percentage leads the Sun Belt and ranks seventh nationally.
