Freshman Hasselbeck leads App State comeback

CONWAY, S.C. – Freshman Henry Hasselbeck came off the bench Friday night and led App State to a come-from-behind 35-32 Sun Belt victory over Coastal Carolina.

With regular starter Malachi Singleton struggling due to an ankle injury suffered last week, Hasselbeck took over the starting role in the second half and led the rally.

You might recognize the last name.  Hasselbeck is the son of Matt Hasselbeck, who was a quarterback on a Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks team.  And Henry’s uncle, Tim, played several seasons in the NFL too.

Coastal Carolina (2-5, 1-2) led 24-14 at the half, but the Mountaineers (4-2, 1-1) scored the next 21 points.

App State head coach Dowell Loggains said having both Singleton and Hasselbeck is a luxury.

"We have confidence in both of them," Loggains said. "Both of them give us a chance to win the game."

Jaquari Lewis ran 12 yards for a touchdown midway in the third quarter, and App State took a 28-24 lead late in the quarter on a 3-yard scoring run by Lewis.

On both those touchdown drives, Hasselbeck had big runs and passes. 

The Hasselbeck connected with Sam Pickett III on a 31-yard touchdown pass with 6:41 left in the game.  That gave the Mountaineers a 35-24 lead.

The Chanticleers scored with 3:11 left on a 2-yard run by Jaden Allen-Hendrix and a two-point conversion pass.

But App State ran out the clock, thanks to Hasselbeck, who had an 11-yard run for a first down; and to Lewis, who took a snap in the shotgun formation and ran 16 yards for another first down.

Hasselbeck completed 9-of-12 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown, he ran 21 times for 125 yards, and he presented App State coach Dowell Loggains a big headache over the next several days.

The Mountaineers’ next game is a Thursday night battle with powerhouse James Madison in Boone.  Loggains now must decide whether he’ll start Singleton, who was among the nation’s leading passers before being injured; or Hasselbeck.

Loggains' biggest concern, however, appeared to be his team's defense, which had a tough time stopping the Chanticleers, especially in the first half.

"We played just well enough to win, and the second half was much better," he said. "But we have to play better defense (than in the first half)."