Sep 14, 2024; Greenville, North Carolina, USA;  Appalachian State Mountaineers head coach Shawn Clark reacts to a call in the second half against the East Carolina Pirates at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Report: UCF hires ex-Appalachian State coach Shawn Clark as OL coach

Former Appalachian State head coach Shawn Clark has been hired as UCF’s offensive line coach, ESPN reported on Saturday morning.

Clark, 49, was fired earlier this month after compiling a 40-24 record with the Mountaineers, including 5-6 in 2024 — his first losing season. Clark had a 3-1 record in bowl games.

A two-time All-American offensive lineman at Appalachian State, Clark served as an assistant coach at his alma mater before taking the helm in December 2019.

Clark coached the offensive line for Kent State (2013-15), Purdue (2009-12) and Eastern Kentucky (2003-08).

Scott Frost has returned as UCF’s new head coach, replacing Gus Malzahn, who recently departed to become the offensive coordinator at Florida State.

Frost went 19-7 in two seasons (2016-17) at the school — including 13-0 in 2017 — before departing for Nebraska, his alma mater. He went 16-31 in four-plus years at Nebraska, which fired him three games into the 2022 season.

Frost is filling out his staff, announcing Friday the hiring of Mike Dawson as defensive run game coordinator and edge coach. Earlier this week, Alex Grinch was named defensive coordinator. Kenny Martin is remaining on staff as defensive tackles coach.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Greenville, North Carolina, USA;  Appalachian State Mountaineers head coach Shawn Clark looks on before the game against the East Carolina Pirates at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Reports: Appalachian State firing coach Shawn Clark

Appalachian State is firing football coach Shawn Clark after a 5-6 season, according to multiple media reports.

Clark, 49, compiled a 40-24 record with the Mountaineers, including a 3-1 record in bowl games.

Clark took over at his alma mater in December 2019 after Eli Drinkwitz departed to become the head coach at Missouri.

The Mountaineers were 9-3 in his first full season in 2020 and finished 10-4 in 2021. This was his first losing season.

Before becoming an assistant coach at Appalachian State in 2016, Clark coached the offensive line for Kent State (2013-15), Purdue (2009-12) and Eastern Kentucky (2003-08).

The Mountaineers’ season ended Saturday with a 29-20 loss at Georgia Southern.

–Field Level Media

Fall foliage surrounds Kidd Brewer Stadium, home of the AppState Mountaineers at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024.

Emotional Appalachian State victorious in first home game since Helene

Joey Aguilar knew Appalachian State’s first home game in 37 days was a big deal for a region hit hard by Hurricane Helene last month.

But the Mountaineers quarterback was still amazed to see the emotions firsthand on Saturday as the program returned to its stadium in Boone, N.C., and recorded a 33-26 win over Georgia State.

“We were playing for something bigger than us,” Aguilar said after playing in front of 33,783 fans at Kidd Brewer Stadium. “This victory is bigger than the team and the program and the community. It gives everybody a chance to step out of reality and enjoy something after the disaster we had.”

Hurricane Helene slammed the area on Sept. 27 and devastated towns throughout western North Carolina, including Asheville and Boone. The Mountaineers’ game against Liberty on Sept. 28 was canceled, so Saturday marked the first time the players were on their home surface since Sept. 19.

Also Saturday, North Carolina officials said the death count sits at 98 in the state due to the storm.

The App State campus experienced flooding and storm damage due to the hurricane. Classes resumed on Oct. 16 and repairs are still in progress.

But Mountaineers fifth-year coach Shawn Clark saw the home game as part of the return to normal life in an area still heavily scarred and devastated from the vicious storm.

“Just like our community has battled their tails off for the last four weeks to get some kind of normalcy in their lives, our program is doing the same thing,” Clark said after the victory. “Our community is behind us 100 percent, and we’re behind our community 100 percent. It’s still going to be a long haul for our community, and we’re going to be there every step of the way. I’m just very proud of everyone involved in our program and hope today’s win gave everyone in western North Carolina and Watauga County something to be proud of.”

The Mountaineers (3-4, 1-3 Sun Belt) are at home again next Saturday against Old Dominion.

–Field Level Media

A large topiary ÒAÓ shines in the afternoon sun during the AppState Mountaineers' football practice at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024.

Appalachian State plays first home game since Hurricane Helene

Appalachian State will make a return to its home field on Saturday, hosting Georgia State in the first game on campus since Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina last month.

The Mountaineers played two home games at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone before Helene hit on Sept. 27. Their Sun Belt conference game Saturday will be the first there in 37 days.

Their game scheduled at home against Liberty on Sept. 28 was canceled, and the Mountaineers played two road games — losses at Marshall and Louisiana — since.

Classes resumed on campus on Oct. 16, and school officials said folding football back into the community was carefully done.

“We’re working to thoughtfully, responsibly and respectfully bring university events back to Boone that are supported by students, faculty and staff, as well as a passionate base of alumni and others who love Appalachian State University and Western North Carolina,” interim chancellor Heather Norris said. “We’re committed to ensuring that the university continues to support and sustain our community in meaningful and lasting ways.

The game featuring two 2-4 (0-3 Sun Belt) teams will serve as a positive moment for the region.

“App State Football is an important part of the culture and economy of our university community, the High Country, and the western North Carolina region,” athletic director Doug Gillin said. “We are thankful to university, town and county leadership, and are committed to provide a safe and responsible return to home competition. We hope this event will further rally our community and help support all those who are recovering.”

After Saturday, Appalachian State will have two remaining home games against Old Dominion (Nov. 2) and James Madison (Nov. 23).

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2023; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; A general view of the Appalachian State Mountaineers helmet against the Wyoming Cowboys at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-Imagn Images

Liberty-Appalachian State game canceled due to Hurricane Helene

Appalachian State’s home game against Liberty on Saturday has been canceled due to the impact of Hurricane Helene.

The game in Boone, N.C., will not be rescheduled, per a statement on the Mountaineers’ official website.

Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida late Thursday, but adjacent states were not spared. North Carolina governor Roy Cooper issued a state of emergency in preparation for potential flooding, damaging winds and power outages, and media in the area near Boone reported widespread flooding Friday morning.

Liberty (4-0) will return to action against visiting FIU on Oct. 8, while Appalachian State (2-2) will travel to Marshall on Oct. 5.

–Field Level Media

Students fill the student section at Memorial Stadium during Clemson's home opener against Appalachian State on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.

Cade Klubnik accounts for 7 TDs as No. 25 Clemson rolls past Appalachian St.

Cade Klubnik accounted for seven touchdowns in just one half to lead No. 25 Clemson to a convincing 66-20 victory over visiting Appalachian State in nonconference play on Saturday night.

Klubnik completed 24 of 26 passes for 378 yards and a career-best five touchdowns and tacked on two rushing scores for the Tigers (1-1), who scored the game’s first 42 points and led 56-13 at halftime. The 56 points are a school record for first-half points.

Phil Mafah rushed for 118 yards and one score on 10 carries for Clemson, which rebounded from a season-opening 34-3 loss to top-ranked Georgia.

Jake Briningstool caught seven passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns for the Tigers. Bryant Wesco Jr. (130 receiving yards), Antonio Williams and T.J. Moore also had scoring receptions for Clemson.

Joey Aguilar completed 18 of 41 passes for 214 yards and one touchdown for Appalachian State (1-1). Anderson Castle rushed for 80 yards and one touchdown on just seven carries and Makai Jackson caught a touchdown pass for the Mountaineers.
Clemson had just 188 yards of total offense in the loss to Georgia. It had 349 in a 35-point first quarter against App State and finished with a 712-363 edge.

The Tigers outgained the Mountaineers 525-199 in the first half and led 56-13 at the break.

Klubnik and Bryant teamed up for a 76-yard touchdown on the third play of the game. Klubnik tacked on a 2-yard scoring run four-plus minutes later.

Mafah broke loose for an 83-yard scoring run to make it 21-0 with 7:08 left in the quarter. Klubnik tossed touchdown passes of 41 yards to Briningstool and 29 yards to Williams later in the 35-point quarter.

Klubnik scored on a 3-yard run with 12:58 left in the first half before Castle scored on a 4-yard run to get the Mountaineers on the board with 10:39 to go.

Klubnik hit Moore from 33 yards out to make it 49-7 with 6:48 left. App State’s Michael Hughes booted a 36-yard field goal with 3:28 remaining before Klubnik tossed touchdown No. 5, a 17-yarder to Briningstool with 54 seconds to play.

Hughes hit from 35 yards out as time expired in the half.

Aguilar tossed a 17-yard touchdown pass to Jackson with 12:31 left in the third quarter to cut the App State deficit to 56-20.

Clemson received a 5-yard touchdown run from Christopher Vizzina and a 36-yard field goal from Nolan Hauser in the third quarter to boost the score to 66-20.

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2023; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; Appalachian State Mountaineers quarterback Joey Aguilar (4) warms up before game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports

Joey Aguilar, Appalachian St. out to end Miami’s fairy tale season in Cure Bowl

The third- and fourth-string quarterbacks for Miami (Ohio) have a chance to put their names next to the greatest signal-caller in school history.

The RedHawks are looking for their 12th win — second only to Ben Roethlisberger’s 13-1 2003 squad — when they meet Appalachian State for the first time Saturday afternoon in the Cure Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

Miami (11-2) has won five straight games since starting quarterback Brett Gabbert’s season-ending leg injury on Oct. 21. Backup Aveon Smith went 5-0, including a 23-14 victory over Toledo in the Mid-American Conference title game on Dec. 2, but entered the transfer portal on Dec. 4.

RedHawks coach Chuck Martin said little-used Henry Hesson will start under center against the Mountaineers (8-5), with Maddox Kopp also seeing some playing time in the bowl game.

Hesson attempted five passes last season and none this year. Kopp completed 15 of 28 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown in two games at Colorado last season before transferring to the RedHawks.

“We’ve had a lot of bumps in the road along the way, all the way back to the beginning of the season,” said Martin, whose team opened the year with a 38-3 loss at Miami (Florida) on Sept. 1. “Every time it seems like it wasn’t going to go our way, somebody would make a play and we survived, and we’ve been doing that for 13 weeks.”

The RedHawks’ 11 wins equal the 1973 and 1975 squads for the second most behind the 2003 team led by “Big Ben,” who went on to win two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“We’re trying to get in some select company,” Martin said.

Appalachian State had a five-game winning streak snapped with its 49-23 loss to Troy in the Sun Belt title game on Dec. 2. The Mountaineers handed 10-0 James Madison its first loss of the season and nearly upended then-No. 17 North Carolina on Sept. 9, falling 40-34 in two overtimes.

Coach Shawn Clark’s Mountaineers are also dealing with a notable transfer portal departure in running back Nate Noel, who rushed for more than 3,000 yards over the past four seasons in Boone, N.C.

Quarterback Joey Aguilar started the season as a backup. But his first pass off the bench on Sept. 2 went for a go-ahead TD as part of a four-TD performance and he never relinquished the job. Aguilar passed for a school-record 3,546 yards with 33 touchdowns and nine interceptions and also rushed for 231 yards and two scores this season. Only Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels of LSU and Heisman finalist Bo Nix of Oregon have thrown more TD passes (both with 40).

Before the Dec. 2 loss to Troy, the Mountaineers’ first four losses this season were all by seven or fewer points. Clark credits a defensive scheme switch at midseason for the second-half surge.

“We are excited to play in the Cure Bowl against Miami (Ohio),” Clark said. “Our team kept digging all season. We have battled through adversity, and we won the Sun Belt East division. We will be proud to travel to Orlando and to represent our university and one of the best conferences in America.”

Appalachian State won its first six bowl games before losing 59-38 to Western Kentucky in the 2021 Boca Raton Bowl. The Mountaineers did not play in a bowl last season.

Miami (Ohio) is 3-4 in bowl games during the 21st century, including a 24-20 loss to UAB in the Bahamas Bowl last season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; West Point, New York, USA; Troy Trojans running back Kimani Vidal (28) runs with the ball against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Troy tramples Appalachian St. behind Kimani Vidal’s 5 TDs

Kimani Vidal scored five touchdowns and Troy pulled away with a pair of scores in a 6-second span of the fourth quarter to win the Sun Belt Championship Game, defeating visiting Appalachian State 49-23 on Saturday at Troy, Ala.

Vidal rushed for 233 yards on 26 carries.

The Trojans (11-2), who scored four fourth-quarter touchdowns, racked up their 10th win in a row. Troy has won eight Sun Belt Conference titles.

Vidal scored on TD runs of 6 and 49 yards in the final 4 1/2 minutes. Troy quarterback Gunnar Watson was 16-for-24 for 192 yards and a touchdown.

Kanye Roberts scored on two touchdown runs for Appalachian State (8-5), which had a five-game winning streak snapped. Joey Aguilar completed 28 of 39 passes for 275 yards.

Troy led 21-17 entering the fourth quarter, but Appalachian State had the ball.

Following a punt, the Trojans went 81 yards in 10 plays with Vidal carrying the ball on the final six snaps. He scored on a 2-yard run.

Appalachian State fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Don Callis returned it 10 yards for a touchdown. Suddenly, it was 35-17.

The Mountaineers scored when Eli Wilson recovered Aguilar’s fumble in the end zone with 5:34 remaining, but they failed on a two-point conversion, cutting the lead to 35-23.

Earlier in the second half, Troy took the lead on a four-play, 75-yard drive midway through the third quarter. Watson threw 51 yards to Chris Lewis for the touchdown.

Appalachian State failed to move after recovering a fumble by Troy punt returner Jabre Barber. The Mountaineers settled for Michael Hughes’ 41-yard field goal, pulling within 21-17.

Troy led 14-0 after Vidal’s touchdown runs of 7 and 36 yards within a 2 1/2 -minute span in the second quarter.

Appalachian State responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive with Roberts scoring on a 1-yard run with 39 seconds left in the first half.

Then it was tied as the Mountaineers used 11 plays on the opening possession of the second half, marching 82 yards with Roberts scoring on a 6-yard run.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; West Point, New York, USA; Troy Trojans quarterback Gunnar Watson (18) looks to pass against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Peaking Troy, Appalachian State collide for Sun Belt championship

Sun Belt Conference
Appalachian State at Troy
Saturday, 4 p.m.
ESPN
Veterans Memorial Stadium
Troy, Alabama

Five consecutive wins sparked by a defensive scheme change helped Appalachian State get off the ropes and reach the Sun Belt Conference title game, but the obstacles in the Mountaineers’ path are significant.

They’ll need to take down defending conference champions Troy (10-2), which has the luxury of home-field advantage and a fancy winning streak of its own.

The Trojans haven’t lost since James Madison nipped Troy, 16-14, on Sept. 16. Nine consecutive wins include seven with a margin of at least 18 points.

Appalachian State coach Shawn Clark studied Troy’s scheme and raved about a group currently ranked 12th in the nation in total defense with 20 sacks in the past three games.

“There aren’t any holes in it,” Clark said of the Trojans. “They are not going to get beat, they’re not going to beat themselves.”

Star quarterbacks at the center of their team’s success are in for stern tests.

Appalachian State’s engine on offense, junior Joey Aguilar, has 33 touchdown passes – 10 to junior wide receiver Kaedin Robinson.

Troy senior Gunnar Watson has 26 touchdown passes and a powerful ground game carried by running back Kimani Vidal’s 1,349 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

The last meeting between these teams in September 2022 was decided on a last-second Hail Mary tipped into the hands of Mountaineers wide receiver Christan Horn, who made the grab to deal Troy a stunning 32-28 loss. Horn has 10 TD catches the past two seasons.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Kaimon Rucker (25) and linebacker Amari Gainer (3) tackle South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

No. 17 North Carolina looking to stifle Appalachian State

So many nice things have been said about No. 17 North Carolina’s defense in recent days that the Tar Heels certainly would prefer to avoid a flashback involving Appalachian State.

But that’s what they’re getting with the dialogue focusing on Saturday’s matchup with the Mountaineers in Chapel Hill, N.C.

North Carolina (1-0) used a sterling defensive effort in Saturday’s 31-17 conquering of South Carolina, registering nine sacks.

That was a far cry from last September in Boone, where the Tar Heels survived with a 63-61 shootout victory against the host Mountaineers.

Even with that result, North Carolina coach Mack Brown said his team became the “laughingstock in the country” defensively.

“We’re going to be harder on them this week than we’ve ever been on them because we’ve got to go back to work and we’ve got to get things fixed that need to be fixed,” Brown said.

Appalachian State posted 40 points and 18 first downs in the fourth quarter a year ago. Defensive coordinator Gene Chizik of the Tar Heels said his team doesn’t need reminders.

“Last year was tough to watch,” Chizik said. “Fourth quarter was the main issue. … We won the game, but we weren’t proud of the product we put on the field.”

There were few signs of those types of glitches in the South Carolina game. North Carolina linebacker Kaimon Rucker received national Week 1 accolades after registering 5.5 tackles for loss against the Gamecocks.

“He played relentless,” Brown said. “That’s what we’ve seen all spring and all (preseason camp).”

That was part of an overall strong performance for North Carolina.

“There are some coverage issues that we have to address, which they’ve been addressed,” Chizik said. “There was some tackling issues — open-field space tackles that we have to get under control.”

Appalachian State (1-0) had a different kind of challenge in its first game, needing a strong second half to overcome FCS member Gardner-Webb 45-24.

Coach Shawn Clark said his team’s defense needs to be upgraded by the time the Mountaineers arrive in Chapel Hill.

“That was a point of emphasis — tackling,” Clark said. “I have full confidence in our staff and our players that we’ll get that corrected this week.”

Add North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, and the task looks large.

“You have to defend the whole field,” Clark said. “When you can’t make a team one-dimensional, that’s going to be tough for us on Saturday.”

North Carolina and Appalachian State clashed in 2019 and 2022, with the Mountaineers holding a 95-94 scoring edge. Appalachian State won 34-31 four years ago.

Perhaps there’s another factor that could be a boost for the UNC defense on Saturday. Starting quarterback Ryan Burger of Appalachian State could miss a month after suffering a hand injury in the opener, so Joey Aguilar will be the starter in the second game of the season.

Then again, Aguilar, a transfer from Diablo Valley Community College, completed 11 of 13 passes for 174 yards and four touchdowns against Gardner-Webb. He’s the program’s first player to throw four or more touchdown passes in his first game.

North Carolina is 4-0 in home openers since Brown returned as coach in 2019.

–Field Level Media