Oct 1, 2002 Online Since 1996 Vol 77 No. 10
Burchette returns after back surgery, key to Appalachian victory

James Nix
Production Editor

Josh Brown | Chief Photographer
Quarterback Joe Burchette resumed play with the Mountaineers this weekend after recent back surgery. He had a career-high 29 completions on 45 attempts for a total of 357 yards. 		   Experience is how Appalachian State University beat the Bulldogs Saturday.
The experience of senior quarterback Joe Burchette is what led to a 37-28 Mountaineer victory over The Citadel.
   Saturday was the first time this season the fifth-year senior started for Appalachian after playing the second half against Liberty University a week ago and sitting out against Eastern Kentucky University and Marshall University.
It was Burchette’s experience that led him to a career-high 29 completions on 45 attempts for a total of 357 yards.
   The 29 completions tie Burchette at second in the ASU record books for a single game. Bake Baker connected 29 times on 50 passes in 1997 against Clemson University.
   Burchette’s performance against The Citadel also marked his fourth game with over 300 yards in passing and moves him to third in the record books for single game passing yards, right behind his 379-yard performance against Western Carolina University in 2000.
Mountaineers adapt to life without senior quarterback Joe Burchette Jennifer Brannock
    Staff Writer
   Prior to the season opener at Marshall, Burchette was rushed to Charlotte for surgery on a ruptured disk in his back.
    Due to advanced medical technology, he was able to recover from to the surgery in time to back up freshman quarterback Richie Williams against Liberty.
    With Burchette back in the starting lineup, there was a renewed sense of confidence in the Mountaineer offense.
    “This is my fifth year and they just see me back there and know that I know what I’m doing,” said Burchette. “I think they just feel a little bit better with me back there.”
    There is also more assurance for Burchette with Williams on the sideline, able to come in at a moments notice.
    Last season, Burchette was the only experienced quarterback in the Mountaineer lineup. His backup was freshman Brian Moriarty, who had limited playing time. Moriarty transferred before the season started.
    Williams now has three starts behind him and nearly 200 yards in passing.
    “If I went down, Richie would step in and do just as good as I did,” said Burchette.
    Also back on the field is junior wide receiver Sterling Hayward.
    “I was jumping with joy,” said Burchette about receiving news Hayward would play this season.
    Hayward was slated to miss the entire season after a shoulder injury put him on the sideline. As time went on however, Hayward’s injury became less critical, and intensive rehabilitation helped him back onto the field.
    “When Sterling came back that gave us four legit receivers who knew all the plays,” said Burchette.
    Hayward made his season debut against Liberty.
    “The experience means more than anything,” said Hayward. “Us being on the field and just knowing what to do and helping out the young guys.”
    The experience also allowed the Mountaineers to throw the ball more against The Citadel than in the previous three games.
    “We’ve got Sterling back, I’m back and Coach Best just thought it was the right time to see how good we were at passing the ball,” said Burchette.
    Burchette said he thinks the Mountaineers will throw the ball more in the upcoming games and run the ball when they need to.
    “[Burchette] was on the money,” said Hayward. “This was probably the sharpest I’ve seen him in a game.”
    With Hayward back, Burchette will have more options on the throw and will have more opportunities to hit the open man.
    “You can never tell who [Burchette’s] going to throw it to,” said Hayward. “We’ve all got to run our routes hard even though we’re not the primary receiver.”		  
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