After a tough loss
in Statesboro, Ga., against Georgia Southern University, the Mountaineers
return to Appalachian State University looking for some more “Magic
in the Mountains.” Wofford College and a strong running game
come calling for the 41st homecoming game to be held at Kidd Brewer
Stadium.
“You’re always in tune to alumni coming
back,” said head coach Jerry Moore. “The thing that is
paramount now is there are four teams 4-1 in the Southern Conference
(SoCon). In the past, homecoming has had no bearing; now it is important
for everyone.”
Moore is looking to improve upon his 11-2 mark
in homecoming games and continue his unbeaten streak (6-0) versus
SoCon foe Wofford.
“I don’t pay attention to those things,”
Moore said. “We want to play well and have a lot riding on
this game as far as conference championships are concerned.”
If Appalachian wants to continue their winning
ways and pursue the SoCon championship, they will need to figure
out how to stop the Wofford running game. ASU gave up 364 yards
rushing against Georgia Southern, and allowed three ball-carriers
to break the century mark.
This type of performance will not work to stop a Terrier offense
that tallied 397 yards rushing last week against the Western Carolina
University Catamounts.
Most impressive is that they were able to put up these numbers without
the services of senior running back Jesse McCoy, who was out with
a concussion but will play on Saturday. McCoy is averaging over
9 yards a carry in 2002.
“A lot of those yards came on two plays, a 90-yard run and
60-yard pass,” Moore said. “You can’t totally stymie
their offense, but we can try to contain it. We want to slow it
down.”
On the offensive side of the ball, the Mountaineers will try to
maintain offensive intensity throughout the game. Against the Georgia
Southern Eagles, the Mountaineers ran the ball to the tune of 103
yards before halftime but were able to gain only 24 after the break.
Senior quarterback Joe Burchette may have a sore arm after throwing
the ball 44 times in Statesboro, but should be able to be effective
against a Terrier defense that gave up nearly 300 yards passing
to the Catamounts.
“We will try to do things we can do,” Moore said. “We’ve
thrown the ball well all year but you can’t just abandon the
run. Hopefully we can keep being effective and get a good balance
of both.”
The loss to Georgia Southern makes it a four-way
tie at the top of the Southern Conference standings with ASU, Georgia
Southern and Furman University all having four wins and one loss.
Wofford, who handed the Eagles their only SoCon defeat, is also
hot on the trail with three wins and only one loss in SoCon play.
“We’ve got our backs to the wall,” coach Moore said
after the Oct. 19 loss to the Eagles. “They did coming into
the day. It’s back to Furman, Georgia Southern and us. Georgia
Southern still has to travel to Greenville.
“We’ve got a tough opponent [in Wofford]. It’s time
to find out what kind of ball club we have, whether we are all talk
or any good. We need to have a good week of practice, re-focus and
execute.”
Game time on Saturday is 2 p.m. |
