'Dawgs fall in season opener at App State

Saturday, September 2

Boone, NC

3:30 PM

Gardner-Webb University

0-1 , 0-0

Appalachian State

1-0 , 0-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Gardner-Webb	0	10	14	0	24
App State	7	7	17	14	45

Photo by: © Kobi Everett Photo

September 02, 2023 | Football

Box Score Box Score

Ty French tied Big South career sack record

BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State pulled away from #24/25 Gardner-Webb late as the Mountaineers knocked off the Runnin' Bulldogs 45-24 on Saturday, Sept. 2.

Ty French made history on Appalachian State's second drive of the game, sacking Burger on third down to give him 25.0 career sacks. That mark ties Chima Uzowihe (Liberty, 2012-15) for the most career sacks in Big South history.

Appalachian State took the lead on a 15-play, 77-yard drive, as Burger found Eli Wilson from 12 yards out to give the Mountaineers a 7-0 lead. Gardner-Webb (0-1) answered with an eight-play, 75-yard drive, punctuated by a Jayden Brown eight-yard rush for a touchdown. Matthew Caldwell was a perfect 7-for-7 for 67 yards on the drive.

After forcing a three-and-out, the Runnin' Bulldogs put together another long drive, including Brendan Jackson coming in on fourth down and 1 at running back and keeping the drive alive. The drive stalled in the red zone, but Jay Billingsley connected on a 37-yard field goal to give GWU a 10-7 lead.

App State pinned the 'Dawgs deep inside their own 15-yard line, and after a short punt, Joey Aguilar connected with Kaedin Robinson for a 32-yard touchdown pass to put the Mountaineers ahead 14-10 at the half.

Gardner-Webb did not waste any time in the second half, opening the third quarter with an 11-play, 65-yard drive, with Brown finding the endzone again with a 16-yard touchdown run to give the Runnin' Bulldogs a 17-14 lead. App State answered with a six-play, 65-yard drive, as Aguilar found Dashaun Davis for a 26-yard touchdown pass to retake the lead 21-17 in the third quarter.

Brown found the endzone for the third time this afternoon, as he took a short pass from Caldwell 43 yards to pay dirt, and the 'Dawgs went back in front 24-21. The Mountaineers responded again, this time with Aguilar connecting with Dalton Stroman for a 43-yard touchdown pass. App State added to their tally at the end of the third quarter, as Michael Hughes pushed through a 43-yard field goal, putting App State ahead 31-24.

With 20 seconds left in the third, App State pressured Caldwell, forcing an interception by Jackson Greene. App opened the fourth quarter at the GWU seven-yard line, and Nate Noel powered in for a touchdown, putting the Mountaineers on top 38-24 early in the fourth quarter.

Gardner-Webb tried to get back in the game in the fourth quarter, but an interception by Jack Scroggs on fourth down gave Appalachian State the ball back with 10:19 remaining. The Runnin' Bulldogs again got a big stop on defense, but would turn it over, this time a fumble, to give App State the ball back with 7:13 remaining in the contest. The Mountaineers capitalized on the turnover, as Aguilar found Christian Horn for a seven-yard touchdown, and App State pulled away for the 45-24 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Jayden Brown had a career-high 67 yards receiving on three catches. His three total touchdowns are also a career-high, while his two rushing touchdowns tie a career-high.
Matthew Caldwell's 30 completions is tied for the second-most in a single game. Chip Stuart completed 32 passes in two games vs Presbyterian and Wofford in 1980 and by John Craven against Catawba in 1992
Ty French is now four sacks away from tying Gabe Wilkins for the Gardner-Webb career sack record (29.0).

UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb will return home to Spangler Stadium to face Elon on Saturday, Sept. 9. Kickoff is set for 6:00 P.M. Fans can purchase tickets for the game at gwusports.com.