Coach Neal picked a great game to finally have his thundering herd play a complete game. Coming into the game 0-3 all non conference losses the Thundering Herd faced their bitter rivals by having to go to Boone and face Holmey and the App St Mountaineers in the Mountain Warfare game. The Herd took the opening kickoff and would convert a 4th down to keep the drive alive and score a touchdown to open the game. App state would answer right back with a TD of their own to tie the game at 7. The game would remain close the whole game as it went back and forth before a missed field goal by App State and a long screen pass taken to the house by AJ Turner in his first game he has appeared in this season. He would end with 145 rushing yards and 82 receiving yards to lead the way for the Herd. The defense was led by Monroe Beard III who had 5 tackles and 6 passes defensed. Coach Neal after the game thanked App St and Coach Holmey for the great sportsmanship during the game and wishes him the best of luck the rest of the year. The Herd are now 1-3 on the year but 1-0 in the Fun Belt conference.
Thundering Herd Topples App State Subtitle: Marshall's strong second half seals
Boone, NC - In a high-stakes Sun Belt Conference clash at Kidd Brewer Stadium, Appalachian State's hopes for victory were dashed by a dominant second-half surge from the Marshall Thundering Herd, culminating in a 31-17 defeat for the Mountaineers.
Marshall set the tone early, striking first in the opening quarter when Braylon Braxton connected with Toby Payne for a 2-yard touchdown pass at the 3:28 mark. Rece Verhoff’s extra point gave the visitors a 7-0 lead. Appalachian State struggled to find offensive rhythm, heading into the second quarter in search of momentum.
App State’s breakthrough came midway through the second quarter when Joey Aguilar found Eli Wilson for a 13-yard touchdown, tying the score at 7-7 after Michael Hughes’ successful PAT. However, Marshall reclaimed the lead just before halftime with a 33-yard field goal by Verhoff, leaving the Mountaineers trailing 10-7 at the break.
The third quarter was where Marshall began to pull away. A.J. Turner’s 1-yard rush into the end zone at 3:22, followed by another explosive 44-yard touchdown reception from Turner at 1:33, showcased the Herd’s offensive prowess. Despite a swift response from App State’s Christian Horn, who sprinted 75 yards on a highlight-reel catch-and-run just 11 seconds later, the Mountaineers could not close the gap. The third quarter ended with Marshall up 24-14.
With time ticking down in the fourth quarter, Marshall put the game out of reach when Turner broke free for a stunning 79-yard touchdown run at 2:58, extending their lead to 31-14. App State managed a late 26-yard field goal from Hughes with 1:18 remaining, but it was too little, too late.
Statistically, the game was evenly matched in total offense, with Marshall gaining 380 yards to App State’s 389. However, Marshall's ground game was the difference-maker, as they rushed for 159 yards compared to App State’s meager 47. Turner proved to be the star of the game, tallying three touchdowns and showcasing his dual-threat ability.
Appalachian State's passing game, led by Aguilar’s 342 yards, offered flashes of brilliance but fell short of securing a win. The Mountaineers now look to regroup as they prepare for their next matchup, hoping to rectify the mistakes that cost them on both sides of the ball.
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