Jacque Roman hugs defensive coordinator John Wiley after the victory over Elon University on Saturday night. Photo by Tommy Penick

by ROB JENKINS

Sports Editor

In front of a record crowd at Rhodes Stadium, Appalachian State defeated Elon 27-10 to clinch at least a share of the Southern Conference title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Football Championship.

The Mountaineer defense played great early, holding the Phoenix to 43 yards and intercepting quarterback Scott Riddle three times in the first quarter. Riddle had only thrown four picks on the year before the game.

Appalachian’s offense was able to capitalize on the turnovers, scoring after each interception.

Junior running back Devon Moore slips past the Elon defense in the first half of Saturday's game. Appalachian finished with a final score of 24-10. Photo by Holt Menzies

Armanti Edwards scored on rushing touchdowns of 15, six and three yards as the Apps took a 21-0 lead just 15:06 into the game.

Elon finally got on the board with a field goal on its first possession of the third quarter. The Phoenix drove 79 yards in 10 plays before Adam Shreiner kicked a 23-yard field goal to cut the ASU lead to 21-3.

Appalachian responded on the ensuing drive as Jason Vitaris drilled a 35-yard field goal to push the lead back to 21 points.

Vitaris made another field goal with 8:03 left in the game, making the score 27-3.

Elon got its only touchdown of the day on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Riddle to Aaron Mellette with 4:48 left.

Edwards led the Mountaineer offense, completing 21 of 24 passes for 281 yards and rushing 10 times for 73 yards and three touchdowns.

Matt Cline caught eight passes for 104 yards.

The Mountaineer defense received 15 tackles from D.J Smith and two sacks from Anthony Williams.

With the win, Appalachian moved its record to 8-2 (7-0 SoCon).

The Phoenix fell to 8-2 (6-1).

Appalachian can clinch the outright SoCon title with a win over Western Carolina next Saturday in Boone.

GAME NOTES

On the Mountaineers’ last possession of the first half, Edwards limped off the field with right knee injury. Edwards returned to the game at the 9:01 mark of the third quarter, but he is listed as questionable for next week against Western Carolina.

The win was Appalachian’s 19th straight in SoCon play.

The Mountaineers outgained the Phoenix 486-270 in offensive yardage.

Photos by Tommy Penick and Holt Menzies  |  The Appalachian

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