Mountaineers Football remains winless in conference play – The Appalachian

The Mountaineers lost 34-24 to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns on Saturday evening. This was their third straight loss and they now sit at 0-3 record in Sun Belt Conference play.

After receiving the ball early in the game, App State punted before crossing midfield. Louisiana responded with a 75-yard drive and opened the scoring with a 32-yard field goal. As the first quarter progressed, neither team scored a goal.

At the end of the first and second quarters, the Black and Gold stormed down the field thanks to redshirt sophomore running back Kanye Roberts, scoring 10 touches in a single possession. The trip downfield was capped off when senior quarterback Joey Aguilar hit redshirt junior tight end David Larkins on a 1-yard play-action pass for a touchdown. The Mountaineers led 7-3, their only lead of the night.

The Ragin’ Cajuns responded immediately. On the first play of the next drive, quarterback Ben Wooldridge found tight end Terrance Carter with a throw to midfield. Three Mountaineer defenders came together and were unable to beat Carter, who ran the rest of the way to the end zone. With the Black and Gold trailing 10-3, neither team scored on their next possession.

After forcing a three-pointer, App State got the ball back and had a chance to attack. On the first play of the possession, Aguilar subdued his target and threw his first interception of the night. Louisiana capitalized on a touchdown to extend its lead to 17-7.

The Mountaineers didn’t fail so easily and found their own answer at the next opportunity. Trailing by 10 yards, App State marched down the field and Aguilar found Roberts for a 15-yard touchdown pass, closing the gap on the scoreboard and rewarding the halfback for an outstanding performance.

The score remained the same until halftime and after the break it was 17:14. App State’s defense held firm to start the half, forcing another three-and-out. The offense moved the ball down the field but failed at the Louisiana 26-yard line. Redshirt freshman kicker Jackson Moore hit a 44-yard field goal to increase the score to 17 apiece for the season.

Louisiana kicked a field goal on the next possession to take the lead again. This time, however, the Ragin’ Cajuns wouldn’t let the Mountaineers get too close for comfort.

On the ensuing possession, it looked like the Black and Gold would answer again. Then Roberts had a questionable fumble at the Louisiana 21-yard line.

A Louisiana defender quickly responded by picking up the ball and returning it 70 yards. The original decision was a fumble but was reviewed. All signs pointed to Roberts being out, but Louisiana only had cameras in half the stadium due to renovations. Due to the lack of camera angles in the replay, the decision was not overturned and Louisiana scored on the next play.

Hoping to rebound after the brutal end to their last chance, the Mountaineers’ offense took the field again. And just like before, Aguilar threw an interception on the first play of the drive. Louisiana couldn’t do anything with the ball and had to punt again.

With this ownership, App State was able to execute its plan. The black and gold moved effortlessly down the field and Aguilar hit senior tight end Eli Wilson for a 26-yard touchdown and the Mountaineers trailed by just three points, 27-24.

With the next chance, the defense strengthened tremendously. Redshirt junior safety Jordan Favors tackled Wooldridge, giving App State a chance to take the lead with 5:38 on the clock.

On the fifth play of the next possession, Aguilar threw his third interception of the night. With time running out for the Mountaineers to win, Louisiana put together a drive that ended with a touchdown. The Ragin’ Cajuns restored their 10-point lead.

With barely any time left on the clock, Aguilar threw his fourth and final interception of the night, cementing App State’s 34-24 loss.

Roberts had an excellent outing. He finished the game with 148 rushing yards on 26 carries and a receiving touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball, Favors’ interception was his first of the season and sixth-year redshirt senior linebacker Brendan Harrington had a season-high six solo tackles.

The Mountaineers begin a bye week and play again at home against the Georgia State Panthers on October 26th.