Appalachian State Mountaineers vs LA-Monroe War Hawks Preview

I don’t really know what to say any more about the Appalachian State Mountaineers. Let it snow? The points are comin around the mountain as they come? The last two weeks against Troy and Georgia State have been magical, but now a bigger boy is coming to town. The last time a bigger boy came to town, the South Alabama Jaguars (USA! USA!) laid out Appalachian State. Yet South Alabama had an offense. Louisiana-Monroe does not seem to have an offense all the time, or is it that they keep playing SEC defenses? So many unanswered questions.

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Can Appalachian State score enough points to run the War Hawks out of the building? Or will this be one of those grind it out games that the War Hawks have more experience doing, even if they have lost their share of those.

Date: November 8
Time: 3:30 PM
TV: ESPN3
Venue: Kidd-Brewer Stadium

Last Time: Never
There is no previous meeting. Which obviously means that the Mountaineers declared a ‘Black Saturday’ to celebrate. Appalachian State is 0-8 against teams based in the state of Louisiana.

Nov 1, 2014; College Station, TX, USA; Louisiana Monroe Warhawks quarterback Pete Thomas (14) and head coach Todd Berry during the third quarter vs Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Texas A&M Aggies won 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

Opponent: Louisiana-Monroe War Hawks (3-5)

The War Hawks might be the best three and five team in the country with three losses on the road to Kentucky, Texas A&M, and LSU. The other two losses were to Arkansas State and Texas State. Losing to Arkansas State is normal, but the Texas State Bobcats have not been that impressive this year. The War Hawks are 0-4 on the road.

Here’s what I said about the War Hawks at the beginning of the year:

The strength of the WarHawks offense is the receiving corps. The unit boasts junior Rashon Ceaser who took 65 catches for almost a thousand yards receiving. Ceaser has earned enough respect that the way should be open sophomore Ajalen Holley and senior Kenzee Jackson to find holes in the secondary. This will be a good early test of Wake’s 4-2-5 system.

Nov 1, 2014; College Station, TX, USA; Louisiana Monroe Warhawks safety Mitch Lane (7) wraps up Texas A&M Aggies running back Tra Carson (21) for the tackle during the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. Texas A&M Aggies won 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

The defense is a 3-3-5 set with a youthful defensive secondary fronted by more experienced linebacker and defensive line units. The defensive line returns all of its starters from last year. The linebackers lost the team’s leading tackler, but brought back his two work horse mates. Prepare to hear the names Hunter Kissinger and Ray Stovall early and often as they stop plays and make peace.