No. 2 Appalachian State Runs Past Gardner-Webb, 41-6
September 23, 2006 | Football
FINAL STATS
BOILING SPRINGS - Second-ranked Appalachian State ran off 41
unanswered points, including two long punt returns for scores by
Dexter Jackson in the third quarter, to top Gardner-Webb, 41-6,
Saturday night.
The Mountaineers (3-1) won their third-straight game of the season despite a slow start, leading just 13-3 at the half in front of a Spangler Stadium-record crowd of 8,490 fans.
Jackson effectively put the game out of reach by himself in the third quarter though, taking a punt 86 yards for a touchdown with 11:02 to play in the quarter, and doing the same on his next return - going 68 yards this time to push the Mountaineers' lead to 27-3 with 8:36 remaining in the third quarter.
Gardner-Webb (2-2), which saw its offense struggle for the second week in a row, had no answer - as Appalachian State picked off its' third pass of the game on GWU's next drive, and turned that into short, 45-yard scoring drive that culminated with a 10-yard pass from Armanti Edwards to Josh Johnson to push the lead to 34-3.
ASU wrapped up its scoring with a 64-yard drive in the fourth quarter, with All-American Kevin Richardson darting in from one yard for a 41-3 edge.
Gardner-Webb's Hunter Smith knocked in a 45-yard field goal with 7:32 left for the final margin.
The Mountaineers finished the night with 446 yards on offense, with Edwards rushing for 101 yards, throwing for 195 yards and accounting for three total touchdowns. Jackson set an Appalachian State record with his two punt return touchdowns.
The Bulldogs held strong early, with its young defense blocking a field goal and an extra point as Appalachian held a slight, 6-3, lead with two minutes left before the half. Smith gave GWU an early 3-0 lead with a 29-yard field goal, as Gardner-Webb went 40 yards on its opening drive for a score.
Edwards darted 18 yards to push Appalachian State's lead to 13-3 with 1:03 remaining before the half, taking the Mountaineers 86 yards after Gardner-Webb fumbled inside the ASU 15-yard line - one play after the defense picked up a fumble by Richardson.
Two Bulldog touchdowns in the fourth quarter were negated by penalties, and GWU was held without a six-pointer for the first time since 2003 - a stretch of 33-straight games.
Gardner-Webb had just 222 total yards (145 passing / 77 rushing), and ASU held the 'Dogs to 4-for-14 on third downs.
The Bulldogs will travel to face Southeastern Louisiana next Saturday at 7 pm ET in Hammond, La.
