Once again the chant of “goal post” rang throughout Kidd-Brewer Stadium Saturday as the Mountaineers defeated Western Carolina 34-10 to reclaim the Old Mountain Jug. 

The win also clinched a share of the Southern Conference championship for Appalachian State University.  

A crowd of 18,971 watched the Mountaineers dominate the game with 558 total yards on offense.  Running back Karim Razzak paved the way for the rest of the offense with 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns.   Razzak had an 81-yard touchdown run early in the second half, giving him eight on the season.  The run was the longest since 1986 for the Mountaineers.

The game began with Western Carolina marching 72 yards on its first possession, but settling for a field goal and an early 3-0 lead.

On the Mountaineers’ next possession, quarterback Daniel Jeremiah lost a fumble in Western Carolina territory.  The Mountaineer defense held the Catamounts and forced them to punt.

Appalachian scored less than a minute later on an 80-yard touchdown pass from Jeremiah to running back Troy Albea.  The defensive stop after the Jeremiah fumble proved to be a turning point in the game. “It was very important, it was important to our offense too,” said safety Chuck Payne.

Albea’s reception was Appalachian’s longest play from scrimmage this season and the sixth longest in school history. 

The Catamounts punted on their next four possessions while Appalachian scored two more times to take a 21-3 halftime lead.

The Mountaineers were able to strike quickly on offense, converting several big plays throughout the game.  One of those was a 45-yard touchdown pass from Jeremiah to wide receiver Daniel Wilcox, his second touchdown catch in as many weeks.  

Jeremiah finished the day completing eight of 13 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns.  He also ran for 65 yards, as Appalachian ran several option plays. “We thought that we could hurt them with the option,” said Head Coach Jerry Moore.

Running back Brad Hoover provided over half the Catamounts’ total offense with 174 rushing yards and the only Cat touchdown.  It was Hoover, who played a huge role in Western Carolina’s 23-6 victory last year in Cullowhee.  “His heart’s got to be as big as this building,” said Moore.

The Mountaineers were penalized three times for excessive celebration following touchdowns.  The penalties forced kicker Stuart Jones back 15 yards on the point after attempts.  Jones converted two of three extra points and also added a pair of 26-yard field goals.

“We played with more emotion than what we had last year,” said Moore.

The Appalachian defense provided a big lift once again with two sacks by lineman Matt Halbert.  “As long as we didn’t let them in the end zone I figured that we would turn out pretty good,” said Payne. 

Albea led the receiving corps with five receptions for 126 yards.  Appalachian used three quarterbacks throughout the game, and all three completed at least one pass.     

The win over Western Carolina gave the Mountaineers their fifth Southern Conference title in school history and the third under Moore. “There’s nothing probably any more special than winning a conference championship,” said Moore.

This is the first season in over 10 years that has produced a tie for the conference title.  Furman and Marshall split the title in 1988. 

If Furman wins next week in Chattanooga, the Paladins will share this year’s title with Appalachian and Georgia Southern.  There has never been a three-way tie at the end of a season in Southern Conference history.

The Mountaineers now lead the all-time series against Western Carolina 46-17-1.  Appalachian has not lost to the Catamounts at Kidd-Brewer since 1984.

Appalachian travels to Lynchburg, Va., next week to face the Liberty Flames.  The Mountaineers have never played a road game against Liberty.  In 1997 the Flames upset Appalachian in the last game of the season, knocking the Mountaineers out of the playoff hunt.

“We make it a challenge to go play well,” said Moore.

A win next week would give the Mountaineers six straight wins entering the playoffs.  “We need to get the momentum going and keep this thing rolling,” said Jeremiah.

Appalachian is guaranteed its sixth straight winning season and its tenth under Moore in 11 seasons. 

If Appalachian finishes the regular season with a 9-2 record, they could receive a high seed in the I-AA tournament selection on Nov. 21.  It is also possible that fans at Kidd-Brewer Stadium might be able to see at least two more games this season.  “In the playoffs it’s hard to travel and play in another atmosphere,” said Razzak.

Moore believes he can keep the team focused entering the playoffs.  “I think the championship is your motivation,” said Moore.

Many people seem optimistic about the team’s chances. “We’re going all the way,” said Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski.