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.