Area college roundup: A strange night in Boone
Maybe it wasn’t as strange as the 2020 Charlotte-App State game, when only 50 to 60 fans were in the stands in Boone during the midst of the COVID epidemic.
Yet Saturday night’s latest version of the rivalry carried its own level of weirdness.
App State won, which is normal. The Mountaineers are 5-0 all-time against the 49ers. And, sadly, a loss is not unusual for the 49ers (0-3), who have dropped 12 straight games dating back to early last season.
But much of what happened Saturday evening in Boone was outside the boundaries of normalcy.
The game started nearly four hours late. It’s been unusually hot this September in the Carolinas, and with the heat comes thunderstorms. And, accordingly, there have been a number of Carolinas college games delayed by storms.
That was the case in Boone. The first storm arrived about 40 minutes before game time, and every time it seemed as if the teams could take the field for warmups, there was another lightning strike.
The stadium finally opened around 9 p.m., and kickoff followed about 45 minutes later. It was like an old-time Pac 12 Saturday night game.
The game was a sellout, but enough fans decided not to return that App State officials sent out a notice on campus that any students who wanted to attend – ticket or not – were invited to show up.
What happened on the field defied logic. App State piled up big margins in passing and rushing yardage, but at the end of the game, the Mountaineers (3-0) were hanging on for dear life, recovering an onside kick and running out the clock.
Charlotte lost 26-21, but the five-point margin was a huge improvement of last year’s 34-11 setback against App State.
The final whistle came at 12:32 a.m. – the latest finish ever for a game at App State. Charlotte fans who drove up for the game and planned to return afterwards wouldn’t have gotten back home until after 3 a.m.
So what to make of what happened?
“With some bizarre weather and the late start, I want to shout out the fans,” 49ers’ head coach Tim Albin said. “There were some bright spots, but overall we couldn’t make enough plays to be more competitive with the score.”
His App State counterpart, Dowell Loggains, said, “I am really proud of our kids. They handled everything that happened really well.”
The Mountaineers had built a powerful offense in their first two games behind a strong ground game. So what do they do Saturday night? Air it out, of course.
“They are big on the interior,” Loggains said of the 49ers. ”We had matchups with our receivers and their secondary that we liked.”
So the Mountaineers threw the ball 43 times and ran it on 32 plays. Quarterback Malachi Singleton was successful, completing 32 passes for 331 yards and two touchdowns. But with his team leading 26-15 and about two minutes left, Singleton was picked off by Charlotte’s Collin Gill, who returned it 36 yards for a touchdown.
The 49ers tried a two-point conversion, hoping to get within field goal range, but the attempt failed.
And the ensuing onside kick was recovered the App State, which ran out the clock.
Charlotte actually trailed 26-9 earlier in the final quarter but narrowed the gap on a touchdown run by Khamani Alexander, an App State transfer who also scored earlier in the game.
Here’s how other Charlotte-area college teams fared Saturday:
Catawba
Final score: Catawba 24, Emory & Henry 10
What it means: The Indians (2-2, 1-1 South Atlantic) still are having problems running the ball, totaling 105 yards on the ground. But their passing game continued to thrive, with Mason Fortune throwing for 185 yards.
How it happened: Kyle Perry scored on a 56-yard punt return, giving Catawba a 7-0 lead. But the game was tied 10-10 after three quarters. Catawba won it with fourth-quarter touchdown runs by Kevon Runyan and Tareaveon Magio. The Indians recovered a pair of Emory & Henry fumbles.
What’s next? Catawba travels to Tusculum for a 6 p.m. SAC game next Saturday.
Davidson
Final score: Davidson 27, VMI 24 (OT)
What it means: This was Davidson’s (2-2) first victory over a college program that offers football scholarships since the Wildcats beat Boston University in 1981. Yes, 1981. And it snapped VMI’s 12-game winning streak in the series.
How it happened: The final minute of regulation was wild. Davidson’s Casey Bullock scored on a 1-yard run with 59 seconds left, and Christos Tzoumakas kicked the conversion for a 24-17 lead. But on the Keydets second play from scrimmage, Ian Thomas connected with Halim Hardnett on a 75-yard touchdown pass. The conversion kick tied things at 24-24.
In overtime, Davidson was forced to settle for a field goal. Then on VMI’s second play of its possession, the Wildcats’ Hayden Bender forced the Keydets’ ball-carrier to fumble. Davidson’s Hayden Meese recovered, ending the game.
What’s next? Davidson opens Pioneer Football League action next Saturday, hosting Drake at 1 p.m.
Gardner-Webb
Final score: Gardner-Webb 44, N.C. Central 20
What it means: After two narrow losses and a 0-3 start, the Runnin’ Bulldogs finally put things together. They outscored the Eagles 20-3 in the second half and outgained N.C. Central 445-218.
How it happened: Leading 3-0 in the first quarter, Gardner-Webb scored on a short run that was set up by a fumble recovery from Hickory Ridge product Luke Gilbertson.Sean Brady, a former Hough standout, put the Bulldogs ahead to stay, 24-17 in the third quarter, with a touchdown reception from Cole Pennington. Monroe High’s Joey Shearin also caught a touchdown pass from Pennington.
What’s next? The Runnin’ Bulldogs complete nonconference play next Saturday, visiting FBS opponent Marshall for a 3:30 p.m. game.
Johnson C. Smith
Final score: Johnson C. Smith 20, Fayetteville State 14
What it means: The Golden Bulls (3-1, 2-0 CIAA) are on a roll, with three straight victories that have them tied for the conference lead. The Bulls’ defense played its third straight strong game, holding Fayetteville State’s ground attack to 118 yards.
How it happened: Johnson C. Smith trailed 14-13 in the fourth quarter, when they drove 75 yards for the winning score. It came on a 6-yard run by Kamarro Edmonds with 49 seconds left. The Broncos were unable to cross midfield on their final possession. Johnson C. Smith’s Fabian Duncan rushed for 157 yards..
What’s next? Johnson C. Smith is off next week, then travels to Bluefield State for a CIAA game at 1 p.m. Oct. 3.
Lenoir-Rhyne
Final score: Mars Hill 15, Lenoir-Rhyne 7
What it means: The Bears are hard to figure. They are 2-0 this season against nationally-ranked opponents but 0-2 against their other foes.
How it happened: As has been the case this season, the Bears (2-2, 1-1 South Atlantic) fell victim to mistakes. They turned the ball over three times, and they produced only 51 net yards on the ground. Despite all that, they had a chance to tie things late in the game. Lenoir-Rhyne got the ball at its 3 with 3:17 left. Quarterback Wells Bettenhausen completed three passes, and the Bears converted on fourth down twice, as they moved to the Mars Hill 27. But with 21 seconds left, the Lions picked off a Bettenhausen pass.
What’s next? Lenoir-Rhyne resumes South Atlantic play next Saturday, visiting Anderson for a 2 p.m. contest.
Wingate
Final score: Newberry 25, Wingate 22
What it means: The Bulldogs (1-3, -0-2 South Atlantic) moved the ball well in the air but couldn’t stop Newberry’s passing game. And Wingate’s rushing attack, which has struggled this season, produced only 51 net yards.
How it happened: Newberry bolted to a 25-7 lead midway in the third quarter, thanks to two touchdown passes by Mason Kidd, who threw for 308 yards. But Wingate closed to 25-15 late in the third quarter on Brien Brooks’ 25-yard pass to Xavier Jackson, then scored with 2:46 left on a 50-yard pass from Brooks to Jackson.
Wingate got the ball back at its 9, with 15 seconds left. Brooks completed a pair of passes that took Wingate to its 35, but time ran out.
What’s next? Wingate hosts South Atlantic foe UVA Wise at 6 p.m. next Saturday.
