Tag: Appalachian State

Jason Kelce chugged beers and had a glorious time in Boone as App State beat James Madison

Kelce had beers and sang karaoke, and the Mountaineers beat James Madison.

Jason Kelce might be good luck for the Appalachian State Mountaineers.

The older Kelce brother – the one with a thicker beard who isn’t playing football anymore and is expecting another child – braved the snow and pulled up to Boone, North Carolina, on Saturday to take in the Mountaineers’ game against the James Madison Dukes. For App State, the game was a crucial one to keep its bowl eligibility alive.

And while in Boone, a community that needs all the cheer it can get after feeling the impacts of Hurricane Helene, Kelce did was he does best: He had a glorious time and seemed to improve the moods of everyone around him.

The former Philadelphia Eagles center trotted through the tailgate area and chugged some beers while wearing suspenders, sang some karaoke, then made his way into Kidd Brewer Stadium to take photos with fans enjoy the game. He spoke to the crowd and briefly hopped on the ESPN+ broadcast.

The High Country was kind to Kelce during his stay at The Rock, and App State won 34-20 to improve to 5-5.

It’s easy to assume that Kelce will probably be pulling up to his brother’s game in Charlotte on Sunday, which is just 100 miles away from Boone.

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Saints bring back Shemar Jean-Charles to their practice squad

The New Orleans Saints are bringing Shemar Jean-Charles back to their practice squad. Reloading at cornerback makes sense with Marshon Lattimore’s new injury:

Help is on the way at cornerback with the New Orleans Saints re-signing Shemar Jean-Charles to their practice squad, as first reported by Nola.com’s Luke Johnson. The Saints had a spot open up when the Cleveland Browns signed linebacker Khaleke Hudson from their practice squad. Jean-Charles was let go during roster cuts in August and was initially expected to sign with the Saints’ practice squad, but that deal fell through. Now he’s back in the building.

And he should be expected to play on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. All five cornerbacks on the Saints’ 53-man roster were active and on the field last week, and with Marshon Lattimore nursing a new hamstring injury Jean-Charles would be next in line. Here’s how each of them fared in the season  opener:

  • Marshon Lattimore: 32 snaps
  • Paulson Adebo: 54 snaps
  • Alontae Taylor: 46 snaps (plus 7 on special teams)
  • Kool-Aid McKinstry: 28 snaps (plus 9 on special teams)
  • Rico Payton: 7 snaps (plus 17 on special teams)

Jean-Charles is the only corner on the practice squad right now so he’ll likely play right away as a game-day activation. The Appalachian State product spent last December on the Saints practice squad before being elevated to the 53-man roster in January, and he more than held his own throughout the subsequent offseason. If Payton hadn’t excelled so well this summer Jean-Charles probably would’ve made the team instead.

So the Saints still have impressive depth at cornerback. There’s plenty to criticize about the ways Dennis Allen and Mickey Loomis have built and managed this team, but with Allen running the defense they’ve consistently developed reliable players in the secondary.

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Countdown to Kickoff: Shemar Jean-Charles is the Saints Player of Day 27

Countdown to Kickoff: Shemar Jean-Charles is the Saints Player of Day 27. How can he stand out in a crowded cornerbacks room?

Our countdown to kickoff is picking up with Day 27, making Shemar Jean-Charles (the current owner of the No. 27 jersey) the New Orleans Saints Player of the Day. The cornerback has taken a tough road to get here, but the finish line is in sight:

  • Name (Age): Shemar Jean-Charles (26)
  • Position: Defensive back
  • Height, weight: 5-foot-10, 184 pounds
  • Relative Athletic Score: 4.27
  • 2024 salary cap hit: $1,055,000
  • College: Appalachian State
  • Drafted: Round 5, Pick 178 in 2021 (Green Bay Packers)
  • NFL experience: 4 seasons

Jean-Charles grew up in the Miami suburbs and played high school football at Miramar, where he was recruited to App State. He won All-American and All-Sun Belt recognition in 2020 despite lacking standout athletic traits, which helped him get drafted by the Packers. He spent the first few years of his pro career in Green Bay until he was let go during roster cuts last summer.

The San Francisco 49erse practice squad picked him up and Jean-Charles remained with the team through November, until he was waived again and signed by the Saints. Jean-Charles spent the month of December on New Orleans’ practice squad and was promoted to their 53-man roster in January. He’s totaled 28 games in his NFL career, largely appearing on special teams.

So how can he stand out in a crowded cornerbacks room? Jean-Charles needs to prove he can hold up in coverage and compete at the catch point despite his slighter frame, all while making tackles in the open field and continuing to help out in the kicking game. The Saints already have their top four corners in the building so the other players at the position are competing for spots on the practice squad — a group that includes Jean-Charles, Rezjohn Wright, Rico Payton and Mac McCain. Let’s see if he can help himself through the next two preseason games.

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Countdown to Kickoff: D’Marco Jackson is the Saints Player of Day 52

Countdown to Kickoff: D’Marco Jackson is the Saints Player of Day 52. The former App State linebacker is facing tough competition at training camp

There are 52 days left until the New Orleans Saints kick off their regular season, which makes D’Marco Jackson our Saints Player of the Day. The current holder of the No. 52 jersey made the 53-man roster last season after missing his rookie year with an injury, but he’s facing more competition if he’s going to pull off that feat again in 2024:

  • Name (Age): D’Marco Jackson (22)
  • Position: Linebacker
  • Height, weight: 6-foot-1, 233 pounds
  • Relative Athletic Score: 8.30
  • 2024 salary cap hit: $1,064,229
  • College: Appalachian State
  • Drafted: 5th round in 2022 (New Orleans Saints)
  • NFL experience: 3 years

Jackson had a good year in his role. He was one of 19 players who recovered a fumble and recovered it for a touchdown; his fellow linebacker Nephi Sewell blocked a punt against the Carolina Panthers, and Jackson was in position to make a play. Zack Baun led the Saints with 385 special teams snaps and Jackson was right there with him at 384, and his 8 tackles in the kicking game were second-most on the team behind J.T. Gray (11).

So we know he can play in the game’s third phase. But Jackson needs to show he can be an asset on defense, too. He didn’t get many opportunities behind Demario Davis, Pete Werner, Baun and Sewell. While Sewell is recuperating from a late-season knee injury, the Saints did sign Willie Gay Jr. in free agency, which is going to keep Jackson lower on the depth chart.

He’s got competition. The Saints claimed former Tennessee Titans third-round pick Monty Rice off of waivers last year and signed Khaleke Hudson from the Washington Commanders. Then they drafted Jaylan Ford in the fifth round (the same as Jackson) and picked up Isaiah Stalbird as a rookie free agent. They also brought back Anfernee Orji after he spent his rookie year on their practice squad.

New Orleans typically rosters five linebackers with two or three in reserve on the practice squad, so Jackson has his work cut out for him in earning a spot on the 53-man roster again this summer. A fast start at training camp next week will do a lot to help his chances but consistency is key.

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Appalachian State basketball standout commits to Georgia

The Georgia Bulldogs added a commitment from the 2023 Sun Belt defensive player of the year

The Georgia Bulldogs and head coach Mike White continued to build their roster for the 2024 season on Wednesday with a transfer from the Appalachian State Mountaineers. Justin Abson, the 2023 Sun Belt defensive player of the year, announced via X that he has committed to the Dawgs.

Abson is a 6-foot-9, 235 pound forward originally from Pompano Beach, Florida. He scored 7.9 points per game along with 7.1 total rebounds per game and averaged a remarkable 2.8 blocks per game, which was third nationally. He will contribute most on the defensive side but shot 61.9 percent from the field and can be a solid offensive piece in Athens as well.

Abson gives the Dawgs their second transfer addition of this offseason cycle, joining De’Shayne Montgomery from Mount St. Mary’s, and their first addition at the forward position. Abson chose the Dawgs over Michigan and Xavier, who were also active in his pursuit.

App State trolled James Madison’s bowl ineligibility after upsetting the unbeaten Dukes

App State has jokes

The Game of the Year (so far) in college football took place in Harrisonburg, Virginia on Saturday as AP No. 18 James Madison saw it’s perfect season come to an end at home against Appalachian State, 26-23, in overtime.

This game had everything. With ESPN’s College GameDay on hand, the Dukes came back from a 17-5 deficit in the fourth quarter thanks to a 4th-and-18 conversion, a last-minute touchdown and a successful two-point try that tied App State at 20 just before the clock expired. The Mountaineers held JMU to a field goal to start overtime and then ended the game on an eight-yard touchdown pass from Joey Aguilar to Kaedin Robinson.

For James Madison, an undefeated season was pretty much all the Dukes had to play for this year. Due to NCAA rules prohibiting programs from bowl game eligibility for two years after transitioning from FCS to FBS, James Madison will not be able to participate in any postseason contests.

The NCAA denied the school’s request for a waiver earlier this week. Obviously, this is quite a shame for a JMU team that has more than earned the opportunity to appear in a bowl game. But it was also perfect fodder for an App State social team that couldn’t wait to pour some salt in the Dukes’ wounds after handing them their first loss of the year.

So much pain in so few words.

Appalachian State vs. Wyoming Cowboys: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Keys, Predictions

A preview of the App. State Mountaineers vs. Wyoming Cowboys on Sept. 23, 2023, including how to watch, betting odds, keys and predicitions.

Appalachian State vs. Wyoming Cowboys: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Keys, Predictions

Contact/Follow @KayceeClark and @MWCwire

The Wyoming Cowboys concludes their non-conference schedule with a visit from the Appalachian State Mountaineers.

Only the third all-time meeting between these programs, Wyoming hopes to extend its non-conference home winning streak to double digits. The last Group of 5 team to beat the Pokes at War Memorial Stadium was Eastern Michigan back on Sept. 12, 2015, head coach Craig Bohl’s second season in Laramie.

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WEEK 4: Appalachian State Mountaineers (2-1, 0-0 Pac-12) vs. Wyoming Cowboys (2-1, 0-0 MW)

WHEN: Saturday, September 23rd— 5 PM MST / 7 PM EST

WHERE: War Memorial Stadium (29,181)

TV: CBS Sports Network

STREAMING: Get a free trial with FuboTV

RADIO: Cowboy Sports Network

SERIES RECORD: Cowboys are 1-1 against the Mountaineers since 2004. 0-1 since Appalachian State joined FBS.

LAST MATCHUP: Oct. 3, 2015 – Mountaineers won in Boone, North Carolina 31-13

WEBSITES: GoWyo.com, the official Wyoming athletics website; AppStateSports.com, the official Appalachian State athletics website.

GAME NOTES: Wyoming | Appalachian State

ODDS: Wyoming -3

OVER/UNDER: 43 points

Players to watch

Andrew Peasley OR Evan Svoboda

Questions marks are still circling the quarterback position for Wyoming after the first start for Evan Svoboda at Texas last week. Bohl announced on Sept. 18 at his weekly media press conference that Andrew Peasley was “day-to-day.” However, there hasn’t been any establishment of when a decision will be made on who will start, but Bohl does know it will come down to one decision.

“The measure is going to be, can he throw at a high capacity?” Bohl sad. “When I say high capacity, can he make the throws that he’s going to need to make, for us to win.”

With Peasley’s status currently unknown, it could be Svoboda’s second start against the Mountaineers. He handled the pressure well despite a ranked matchup and the 101,000 fans of DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. Svoboda completed 17 of his 28 attempts for 136 yards with an interception. However, there wasn’t many chances taken to show Svoboda’s arm strength down the field. After two full weeks of practice in a potential starting role, the deep shots will most likely be there against Appalachian State.

If Peasley does start, how healthy will he be? He doesn’t just bring his passing ability but the team’s second leading rusher with 111 yards and a touchdown. As a threat through the air and on the ground, the Cowboys would need to be nearly certain re-injury is unlikely.

Harrison Waylee

­After now being named the starting running back for Wyoming, how does the Northern Illinois transfer build off his ninth career 100-yard game? Bohl added in his media presser this week that Waylee “separated himself,” but the focus is now on him for the Appalachian State defense. He also has not had consecutive games rushing for 100 yards since Sept. 4, and 11, 2021 when he ran for 144 and 179, respectfully.

In addition, the Wyoming offensive line that paved the way for 155 rushing yards and only one sack against Texas last week. A similar performance could allow Waylee to have another break out game for the Cowboys.

If Waylee doesn’t preform, watch out behind him too. The Pokes still have the team’s leading rusher Sam Scott, the explosive D.Q. James and Jamari Ferrell working as a running back by committee.

The Cowboy defensive front

While not a specific player, the Pokes are going to focus on shutting down the Mountaineers most explosive player on offense, Nate Noel. He currently leads the country in rushing yards per game, at 145, and carries per game, with 20. Noel is also second in NCAA FBS in total rushing yards with 435. Some of the defensive players to watch for in particular are LB Shae Suiaunoa, DTs Jordan Bertagnole, Cole Godbout and DE Sebastian Harsh.

Godbout also has quietly been moving up Wyoming’s career tackles for loss list, currently with 24. He is tied for eighth with Ward Dobbs. Keep an eye out for Godbout to move up that list even more.

Keys to the game

Control the clock

Wyoming has done a fantastic job through three games on making sure they control the game. Slow and calculated drives wear down the opponent’s defense and prevents their offense from being able to score any points. The Cowboys currently rank 13th in the country for their time of possession, averaging 33 minutes and 30 seconds per game, which includes a 10:22 drive last week at Texas. If Wyoming keeps the ball out of the Mountaineers hands, a difference of 3,887 feet higher than Boone, NC can let a lot of players get exhausted.

Pressure, pressure, pressure

Appalachian State doesn’t allow pressure to threaten their offense. The team is 31st in the NCAA for rushing yards per game at 196.7. Their line has also only allowed only three sacks so far. Wyoming’s defense has to get in the backfield to disrupt QB Joey Aguilar or any form of the running game with Noel. Without this disruption, the Mountaineers have potential to dominate on offense. This is the same offense that went to double overtime with No. 17 North Carolina (UNC) and allowed zero sacks, in comparison to UNC’s first game with nine sacks.

Positive turnover margin

Wyoming is currently -1 in the turnover margin while Appalachian State is +3. Giving the ball away is not the way to win football games. This comes to both sides of the ball, don’t give the ball to the Mountaineers on mistakes and make sure to force them yourself. In a tight game, the Pokes will need to turn the tide in their favor.

Prediction

This will be a very tight and entertaining game. If both teams play at their highest potential and like they have in previous weeks, it will be one of the best Group of 5 matches, at least of the week. It won’t be filled with fireworks through the air, but dominant rushing attacks from both sides. However, Wyoming will have the more dominant with Waylee, Scott and James. Cowboys head into conference play 3-1.

Wyoming 24, Appalachian State 20

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What UNC head coach Mack Brown said after win over App State

UNC head coach Mack Brown is very thankful his team pulled out a win against a pesky App State squad. Check out some of his postgame quotes.

Saturday night’s UNC-App State game in Chapel Hill was nothing short of amazing.

It was reminiscent of last year’s back-and-forth thriller in Boone – teams trading offensive blows, defense coming at a premium and rowdy fans.

The Tar Heels came out on top, once again, but not without drama.

After UNC’s defense gave up the opening touchdown of overtime to App State’s Nate Noel, UNC’s offense responded with a rushing score of its own from Omarion Hampton, who enjoyed a career-high 234 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Drake Maye gave the Tar Heels the lead for good immediately after Hampton’s score, finding paydirt on a 13-yard read option, making it 40-34. UNC’s ensuing 2-point conversion failed, but the defense made a rare stop on fourth down moments later to seal the win.

The victory was Tar Heel head coach Mack Brown’s 101st victory in Chapel Hill. It was certainly a win, however, that had him on the edge of his seat like everyone in Kenan Stadium.

Check out what Brown had to say after the back-and-forth thriller, which reminded us we need a UNC-App game every season:

Late defensive stand, Hampton carry Tar Heels to double-OT victory

UNC and App State traded punches all night. The Tar Heels eked out a win, thanks to their running game and a late defensive stop.

In UNC’s season-opening win against South Carolina last week, it was British Brooks’ turn to lead the Tar Heels’ deep rushing attack.

UNC fans also were rarely on the edges of their seats, as the Tar Heels’ defense limited the Gamecocks to three second-half points and sacked Spencer Rattler nine times.

Tonight’s home opener against App State featured another dangerous rusher in Omarion Hampton, but the Tar Heels’ defense looked a lot more like Swiss cheese.

Despite allowing the visiting Mountaineers to rack up nearly 500 yards and take the lead on five separate occasions, UNC rode a 234-yard, 3-touchdown performance from Hampton and made its first fourth down stop in double-overtime, to down App State by a 40-34 mark and move to 2-0.

The Tar Heels won the overtime coin toss and chose to defer, giving the Mountaineers the football first. Starting running back Nate Noel marched App right down the field, giving it a 33-27 lead with his 7-yard touchdown run. Kicker Michael Hughes converted on the extra point to make it 34-27.

UNC responded immediately with Hampton’s third and final touchdown of the game. Tar Heels kicker Ryan Coe, who missed a potential game-winning field goal to end regulation, cashed in on his extra point to tie things at 34.

Per rules of college overtime, Carolina got the ball back. App State held UNC quarterback Drake Maye in check for most of the game, limiting him to 208 passing yards, but fell victim to his 13-yard, read-option touchdown run that proved to be the eventual, game-winning score.

When Carolina needed a big-time play, its best player delivered.

The Mountaineers stopped UNC’s ensuing 2-point attempt, sending a wave of panic throughout Kenan Stadium. The game story was writing itself – Carolina punches the ball into the end zone, only for defense to falter again.

Knowing the magnitude of this matchup and what moving to 2-0 meant for the future of their season, however, the Tar Heels’ defense rose to the occasion on the ensuing drive.

UNC made Aguilar uncomfortable and contained App’s strong ground game. Aguilar threw an incomplete pass on first down, the Heels prevented Noel from gaining the edge on second down and Alijah Huzzie, the East Tennessee State transfer, made a game-saving tackle on third down.

The Mountaineers were 5-for-5 on fourth down – up until Carolina made its most crucial stop in double-overtime to end yet another thriller.

While defense made the game-saving play, it was Hampton who played hero for UNC and kept it in the game. In Brooks’ absence, Hampton ran for 234 yards and three touchdowns, including the tying score in the first overtime. He was the reason Carolina had any semblance of consistency on offense, with Maye struggling to find rhythm and not throwing a single touchdown pass.

Regardless if Brooks returns to the field next week, it’d be hard to take carries away from Hampton based on tonight’s performance.

Hampton played superhero tonight and is the main reason Carolina remains undefeated.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Tar Heels and Mountaineers knotted up at the half

The 2023 UNC-App State football matchup, so far, is not the offensive outburst like last year. Both teams are tied at 10 in the half.

The UNC football home opener against App State is certainly living up to its billing as one of Week 2’s more intriguing P5-G5 matchups.

It’s not the high-scoring affair we saw in Boone last year. Instead, it’s a defensive battle where both teams are forcing three-and-outs with tight pass coverage.

Despite the 10-10 tie at halftime and struggle to score, both UNC and App State ‘s run games are keeping them within striking distance of the end zone. The in-state opponents have already combined for 276 rushing yards.

Carolina’s lone touchdown came early in the second quarter, from a 68-yard Omarion Hampton speed burst downfield. The Mountaineers responded three minutes later with a Joey Aguilar play-action touchdown pass, giving them a short-lived, 10-7 lead.

UNC drove downfield for what looked to be a late second-quarter scoring drive, only for the App State defense to come up with more key stops. Luckily, the Heels have a solid kicker named Ryan Coe, who nailed a 47-yard field goal to know things up at 10.

If the second half goes like the first did, we’re in for an intense battle to the final whistle.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.