Appalachian State Football: What to look for in the New Orleans Bowl
By Luke Tucker
For the fifth-straight year, Appalachian State football is going bowling. The Mountaineers will take on UAB in the New Orleans Bowl.
As noted above, the 2019 season marks the fifth-consecutive season in which Appalachian State football has competed in a bowl game. For the second-straight year, the Mountaineers will suit up for the New Orleans Bowl, this time against the University of Alabama-Birmingham. App State enters the game with a 12-1 record, and hot off the program’s fourth Sun Belt championship in a row. UAB comes in with a 9-4 record, and was throttled by FAU in the Conference USA championship on December 7th. All that aside, here are a few key things you need to know ahead of the 2019 edition of the New Orleans Bowl. You can catch the contest at 9:00 pm ET on Saturday night on ESPN.
With coach Eliah Drinkwitz now at Missouri, former App State offensive lineman Shawn Clark is the Mountaineers’ newest head coach.
Immediately after Appalachian State won the Sun Belt championship, potential suitors were lining up in hopes of luring head coach Eliah Drinkwitz away from Boone. The following day, Drinkwitz was hired by the University of Missouri. He led the Mountaineers to a 12-1 record and a conference title in his lone year at App. If leaving after one year wasn’t bad enough, Drinkwitz’s “stepping stone” comments came as a harsh slap in the face to many Mountaineer fans.
To replace him, Appalachian promoted Shawn Clark to head coach, and awarded him a five-year contract that runs through the end of the 2024 season. Prior to being named head coach, Clark was a two-time All-American offensive lineman at App State, and had served as an assistant since 2016. Saturday’s bowl game will be Clark’s first game at the helm.
Appalachian State’s offense ranks among the best in the country.
In 13 games this year, the Mountaineers are averaging a whopping 39.4 points per contest–good enough for ninth in the nation. App State is primarily getting it done on the ground, running for an impressive 229 yards per game. Junior running back Darrynton Evans leads the team in rushing with 1,323 yards and 17 touchdowns while Marcus Williams and quarterback Zac Thomas have also been rushing threats for the Mountaineers in 2019. Combined, the two have ran for more than 1,000 yards and 12 scores. It’s also worth noting that Thomas’ 26 passing touchdowns rank just outside the top 20 nationally. Whether through the air or on the ground, App State’s offense can be lethal.
Both App State and UAB have elite third-down defenses.
As good as the Mountaineer offense is, the defense is playing lights out as well in 2019. Surrendering just 20.2 points per game, App State is allowing opponents to convert on just 31% of their third-down tries. On the opposite sideline, UAB has been one of the best at limiting third-down conversions in 2019. Prior to Saturday’s matchup, the Blazers are allowing opponents to move the sticks on just 29% of third downs–the fifth-lowest rate in the country. With that being said, it’s a good thing the Appalachian State offense is converting on nearly half of its third-down attempts.
For the first time since November 2nd, UAB may have starting quarterback Tyler Johnston III under center.
When the UAB offense takes the field on Saturday night, it could mark Tyler Johnston III’s first start since he suffered a knee injury against Tennessee on November 2nd. Johnston did make an appearance in UAB’s conference championship game on December 7th, however, he came off the bench in relief. On the year, Johnston is completing just 58% of his passes for 1,949 yards for 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. If Johnston doesn’t make the start, then freshman Dylan Hopkins will continue to play in his place.
Game Prediction
With all due respect to the New Orleans Bowl, UAB, and everyone else involved, Appalachian State was deserving of a much more prestigious bowl game, and quite honestly could probably win a much more prestigious game given the opportunity. Because of that, along with the dominant App State offense, it’s hard to see the Blazers having much of a chance in this one. Look for Christmas to come early for Mountaineer fans as Thomas and Evans cover the 16.5-point spread with ease.
Final Score: Appalachian State 38, UAB 17.