Junior defensive back Mark LeGree crucially stops a University of Richmond player Saturday night in Richmond, Va. Photo by Tommy Penick

by ROB JENKINS
Sports Editor
 
Matt Cline caught a four yard touchdown pass from Armanti Edwards with :10 left in the game as Appalachian State pulled out a stunning 35-31 victory over Richmond Saturday night.

Richmond got on the board on its opening possession with a 12 play, 75 yard drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown run from Ben Keating.

Appalachian responded on the ensuing drive when Edwards rolled to his left and rushed 16 yards for a touchdown.

The PAT was good, tying the score at 7-7 midway through the first quarter.

Tre Gray caught a 19 yard touchdown pass from Eric Ward at the 8:17 mark of the second quarter to give Richmond a 14-7 lead.

Senior quarterback Armanti Edwards narrowly escapes a Richmond defender during Saturday night's game. Photo by Casey Gahagan

The Mountaineers equalized on the opening drive of the third quarter when Devon Moore rumbled 17 yards for his first touchdown of the day.

The Spiders took 7:42 off the clock on their next drive before Kendall Gaskins pushed through the Apps’ defensive line for a one-yard scoring run. UR converted two long third downs and a fourth down on the drive.

Richmond’s defense played well in the third quarter, holding the Mountaineers to just 46 yards of offense.

After missing a field goal on the third play of the fourth quarter, the Spiders pushed their lead to 24-14 after a 27 yard kick from Andrew Howard with 9:23 left in the game.

The Mountaineer offense exploded over the final nine minutes of the quarter.

Three plays after Richmond pushed its lead to 10, Appalachian pulled back within three at 24-21 after a five yard touchdown from Moore. The score was set up by passes of 32 and 27 yards to Cline and B.J. Frazier, respectively.

After the ASU defense forced a three-and-out on the next Richmond drive, the Mountaineers ran the ball nine-straight times, the last of which was a three yard TD run by Edwards that gave the Apps the lead, 28-24.

Senior defensive back Cortez Gilber attempts to stop wide receiver Jordan Mitchell from making a catch Saturday night in Richmond. Photo by Tommy Penick

UR was forced to punt on its next drive. Travaris Cadet fielded the ball at the ASU 10 yard line, but Richmond’s Eric McBride ripped it from his hands and ran in for a touchdown to make the score 31-28 with 3:26 left.

Edwards took the field and lead Appalachian on a 12 play, 70 yard drive that ended with the winning touchdown pass to Cline. Edwards completed five of six passes on the possession.

On the day, Edwards finished 21-33 for 216 yards and one touchdown. He rushed 12 times for 51 yards and two scores.

Moore lead the way on the ground for the Apps, gaining 175 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. UR’s defense had only been allowing an average of 66.6 yards rushing per game.

Cline caught nine passes for 87 yards and the winning touchdown.

Appalachian will face Montana next week in Missoula, Mont. in the FCS semifinals.

Photos by Tommy Penick and Casey Gahagan  |  The Appalachian

Sophomore defensive lineman Lanston Tanyi and junior linebacker D.J. Smith bring down Richmond running back Garrett Wilkins at Saturday night's game. Photo by Casey Gahagan

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