Black Saturday fans escort the
south-side goal post to a short dip in Duck Pond on its was
to Sanford Mall Saturday after Appalachian’s last second
victory over Furman. Fans rushed the feild after defensive back
Derrick Black returned the interception that gave ASU the win.
With 7.4 seconds left on the clock,
Furman University quarterback Billy Napier found receiver Bear Rinehart
on a 12-yard touchdown pass to give the Paladins (4-2, 2-1 SoCon)
a 15-14 lead and what looked to be a huge victory in Boone.
As the crowd at Kidd Brewer Stadium went from
hysterical to dead silent within seconds, “Black Saturday”
looked like it was not to be favorable for Appalachian State University.
Then it happened.
With no ability to foresee the following events,
Furman set up to try for a two-point conversion. Napier connected
with Mountaineer junior defensive end Josh Jeffries on a 2-yard
interception, and Jeffries took off to run the length of the field.
Twenty yards into his sprint Jeffries turned and pitched the ball
to junior defensive back Derrick Black, who knew exactly what to
do with the ball once it was in his hands.
Mountaineer offensive lineman
Jim Vasquez brings down Paladin Bear Rinehart Saturday afternoon.
The Mountianeers head to Statesboro, Ga. to take on the Georgia
Southern Eagles Saturday.
The Furman University Paladins
had possession of the ball nearly twice as a long as the Mountaineers
Saturday in Kidd Brewer Stadium.
Furman picked up a total of 323 yards on offense
compared to Appalachian State University’s
204 yards.
Yet when the crowd cleared off the field (along
with one goal post) the Mountaineers were the sole leaders of the
Southern Conference.
It was Appalachian’s defense that won the
game.
“Offense wins games, defense wins championships,” said
junior defensive back Derek Black.
Mountaineers continue uphill struggle,
shut out by Radford Highlanders, 1-0
Allie Woods Sports Beat
Radford University
was able to keep Appalachian State University winless in the Northern
Pacific Conference with a 1-0 victory at Kidd Brewer Stadium October
9.
A dense fog remained over the stadium throughout
the game and made the visiting stands invisible at times.
This could not stop Radford University’s
Erin Lenhardt from lifting a shot over Appalachian State University
senior goalkeeper Amy Sarno. Megan Driest assisted on the goal that
came at the 14:59 mark in the first half.
