The Appalachian State Mountaineers cruised to a dominant 38-13 victory over the Marshall Thundering Herd in a highly anticipated NCAA 25 matchup. Appalachian State's balanced offensive attack and smothering defense proved too much for Marshall, who struggled to capitalize on their passing game and was stifled by turnovers.
First Half:
The Mountaineers came out strong, taking control early. They quickly built a 14-point lead with two rushing touchdowns, courtesy of star running back Kanye Roberts, who tallied 125 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Appalachian State capitalized on a turnover forced by their defense, turning the short field into a touchdown to make it 21-7 by the end of the first half.
Marshall, despite their prolific passing game led by quarterback Braylon Braxton, had trouble finding rhythm. Braxton completed 26 of 40 passes for 348 yards, but his three interceptions, including two in the first half, kept the Thundering Herd from making a dent in the scoreboard. Tychaun Chapman was the lone bright spot for Marshall, hauling in 5 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown.
Second Half:
After halftime, Appalachian State continued to assert its dominance. Quarterback Joey Aguilar didn’t light up the scoreboard but managed the game effectively, going 5-of-8 for 80 yards and avoiding turnovers. The Mountaineers kept the pressure on Marshall’s defense with a balanced rushing attack, led by Roberts, and extended their lead with another touchdown in the third quarter.
The Thundering Herd managed only one more touchdown in the game, a short-yardage strike from Braxton to A.J. Turner. However, it was clear that Marshall's defense had no answers for Appalachian State's running game or their opportunistic defense. The Mountaineers’ defense was relentless, registering 7 sacks and 3 interceptions. Notably, Myles Farmer and Brendan Harrington each picked off Braxton’s passes, further adding to Marshall’s struggles.
Key Plays:
Kanye Roberts’ 45-yard run in the first quarter set the tone for the Mountaineers' rushing attack.
A key interception by Myles Farmer in the second quarter helped Appalachian State extend its lead.
Despite a 348-yard performance from Braxton, Marshall’s inability to protect the ball resulted in the team being outclassed in both offensive efficiency and defensive consistency.
Special Teams and Miscellaneous:
Appalachian State's special teams also had a significant impact on the game, with Michael Hetzel returning 2 punts for 36 yards, including a long of 20 yards. Kicker Michael Hughes made 1 of 2 field goals and all of his extra points, while Marshall's Rece Verhoff connected on his lone extra point attempt.
Marshall’s offensive line, which gave up 7 sacks on the day, struggled to provide Braxton with enough time to make plays. Appalachian State's defense constantly applied pressure, preventing the Thundering Herd from mounting any significant drives.
Final Thoughts:
Appalachian State’s balanced offensive approach, led by Roberts’ dominant rushing performance, combined with a fierce defensive effort, secured them an impressive 38-13 win. Marshall had its moments, especially through the air with Braxton’s 348 yards, but costly turnovers and poor rushing performance (-7 yards) ultimately doomed their chances. With the victory, Appalachian State demonstrated their strength on both sides of the ball, proving they’re a force to be reckoned with this season.
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