App State sinks ECU ship in rivals’ victory – The Appalachian

The game started much like the Clemson game for the Mountaineers: with a 65-yard touchdown pass from ECU quarterback Jake Garcia to wide receiver Winston Wright Jr. on the third play of the game.

App State’s first offensive drive started well but stalled around halfway down the field, forcing the Mountaineers to give up the ball.

ECU’s second possession featured big plays from both teams and showcased the Pirates’ fast-paced offense. Sophomore linebacker Nate Johnson brought down Garcia, but the play was reviewed. Johnson was found to be driving with the crown of his helmet, resulting in a targeting penalty. Johnson was ejected from the game.

After a targeting penalty, the App State defense was able to hold the Pirates to a field goal by ECU kicker Andrew Conrad. The Pirates led 10-0 about nine minutes into the first quarter.

Junior quarterback Joey Aguilar’s first two drives went great. Aguilar had five first-down plays for 76 yards, but after an 18-yard pass to junior wide receiver Makai Jackson, App State decided to fizzle. Aguilar’s pass was well-read by defensive back Shavon Revel Jr., who returned the interception for a touchdown. The extra point was not scored, but App State was down 16-0 after just two offensive drives.

The first quarter ended with the same score, but App State was ahead. The series ended when the Mountaineers found the end zone, a six-yard touchdown pass to senior quarterback Eli Wilson.

App State went for two on the first down, but a roughing pass from ECU gave the Mountaineers a second chance. A play-action pass to a wide-open Wilson kept the Black and Gold within one possession.

App State was able to force ECU to three points for the first time and regain the ball.

Using that newfound momentum, the Mountaineers were able to get back into the red zone on a 49-yard pass from Aguilar to fifth-year senior wide receiver Christan Horn, but once there, they stalled. Senior kicker Michael Hughes brought the Mountaineers to within five yards with his 28-yard field goal.

ECU’s next drive ended in another punt, and the Mountaineer defense held strong. However, App State’s next possession ended in a three-and-out, giving the ball to the Pirates.

Garcia’s pass to wide receiver Chase Sowell was dropped and cleared by junior cornerback Ethan Johnson. The fumble was intercepted by junior safety Jordan Favors, giving the Black and Gold their first touchdown of the game.

Aguilar’s pass was intercepted by defender Gavin Gibson, his second interception of the first half.

After another ECU kick, App State had just 56 seconds to drive the field. The Mountaineers managed to get within range of a field goal, and the drive ended with another Hughes field goal. App State went into the locker room trailing ECU 16-14.

On the first drive of the second half, App State managed to reach midfield before the kickoff. Favors was penalized for targeting on the kickoff and was ejected from the game. It was the second Mountaineer penalized for targeting in the game.

ECU managed to get into field goal range before settling for a 36-yard field goal attempt from Conrad. However, Conrad’s kick was wide left.

App State was unable to capitalize on the inaccurate pass and kicked again, and ECU’s solid defensive play continued on the next drive.

The Mountaineers needed some offensive momentum, and they got it in spades with a 36-yard pass from Aguilar to Jackson with 41 seconds left in the third quarter, the first touchdown by either team since Wilson’s touchdown early in the second quarter.

The third quarter ended with ECU in possession, but the drive itself was able to reach field goal range, and Conrad’s 43-yard attempt was good this time. The score was 21-19 Mountaineers at the end of ECU’s possession with a little under 13 minutes left in regulation.

The next series by both teams ended in kicks, cutting the time to just over seven minutes.

A big 31-yard reception by redshirt senior Kaedin Robinson put the Mountaineers back on the ECU side of the field. They went back to Robinson on the next play, and he gained 20 yards on a reception, but fumbled the ball and gave it to the Pirates with about five minutes left.

Just three plays into ECU’s next drive, Garcia’s pass was intercepted by fifth-year quarterback Seth Robertson, and the Mountaineers’ defense made a great play to get the ball back.

On third down for the Mountaineers, Aguilar’s pass bounced off the chest of an ECU defender and Jackson made an incredible catch, catching the rebound for a first down.

A couple of runs by redshirt junior Anderson Castle put the Black and Gold in winning formation. The final score was 21-19, and the Mountaineers improved to 2-1 on the season.

Aguilar was 32-of-47 for a career-high 424 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Castle led the team in rushing with 40 yards on 17 attempts.

Two receivers managed to surpass the 100-yard mark through the air, with Robinson leading the way with seven catches for 129 yards. Horn was second with five catches for 108 yards.

App State had nearly 200 more yards of offense than ECU, and the defense forced two Pirates turnovers.

Coach Shawn Clark said after the game that “tonight showed that we are a very competitive football team.”

“It couldn’t have started any worse than being down 16-0. We kept telling our team to take it one play at a time, one moment at a time,” Clark said. “I’m very proud of our football team, all three phases executed the game plan and it’s great to get a win here at East Carolina.”

App State looks to build on the win as conference play begins Thursday night with a battle between the Mountaineers and South Alabama. The game will start at 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN from Kidd Brewer Stadium.