Zips Comeback Falls Short This Week Against Appalachian State
Akron, Ohio
So close yet so far for the Zips as their comeback falls short this week falling to the Appalachian State Mountaineers 45-38. The Zips fell behind early 10-0 in the first quarter but came back with 14 unanswered points. Then the Mountaineers scored 21 unanswered for themselves. The Zips would only get it as close as 7 for the rest of the game. The Zips could not stop Jalin Moore who picked up 257 yards on the ground with 2 long touchdown runs. The Zips defense had 2 fourth down stops and a critical third down stop late in the game but the Offensive could not move the ball and that was the end of the game for the Zips. The Zips piled up 486 yards of offense but it was not enough to get past the Mountaineers.
Three plays into the game, Thomas Woodson tried to do deep and his pass was intercepted by Appalachian State defensive back Clifton Duck. This came after two nice pass plays to open up the game for the Zips.
After the interception App St moves the ball right down the field and score on a 6 yard pass from Taylor Lamb to Deltron Hopkins. The drive was 10 plays and App St went 64 yards.
After the touchdown, Akron’s drive stalled and on App states pursuing drive, they drove down the field again, but this drive led to a field goal, putting the score at 10-0 heading into the second quarter. That scoring drive was 13 plays and covered 57 yards and the field goal was from 34 yards out.
To start the second quarter, the Zips drove right down the field, highlighted by a Jerome Lane 35 yard reception down the sideline. The Zips scored on a 14 yard pass play from Woodson to Lane to cut the lead to 10-7. The Zips went 75 yards on 4 plays on that drive.
On App St. next drive they fumbled on a 3rd and 1 and Akron recovered the ball. The ball was recovered by Brennan Williams. The Zips then marched right down the field for a touchdown. A.J Coney with the touchdown reception from 23 yards out. The drive was 6 plays for 57 yards. And the Zips with the lead at 14-10.
Appalachian State answered with a touchdown of their own on their next possession. On a 6 play 72 yards it was capped off with a 36 yard touchdown pass from Taylor Lamb to tightend Levi Duffield. The Mountaineers retook the lead 17-14.
On Akron’s next drive Woodson threw his second interception of the game. The ball was picked off by Mondo Williams. Woodson was trying to get the ball to Lane on the play and the Mountaineers retake possession and on the first play of the drive Taylor Lamb threw his third touchdown of the game to Zy Letman. It was a 37 yard touchdown pass and reception. App State extended their lead to 24-14.
To close out the first half, App St drove down the field after an Akron punt, and scored on a Taylor Lamb 1 yard touchdown run to put the Mountaineers up 31-14. It was a 9 play 93 yard drive.
At the half Appalachian State out gained Akron 360 yards to 248. Thomas Woodson is 15/21 for 181 yards with 2 touchdowns but he has also thrown two picks as well. Van Edwards has 3 carries for 37 yards and Jerome Lane has 4 catches for 79 yards and 1 touchdown. For Appalachian State, Their quarterback Taylor Lamb went 13/19 for 214 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jalin Moore is their leading rusher with 106 yards.
To open up the second half of the game, the Zips would stop the Mountaineers on 4th and 1 at the Zips 36 yard line. After the defensive stop, the Zips went 8 plays and it covered 55 yards and it resulted in a Tom O’Leary 26 yard field goal. Cutting into the Mountaineers lead 31-17.
In response, Appalachian States drove right down the field and scored on a Jalin Moore 49 yard touchdown run. It was a 4 play 72 yard drive to re-push the lead for App State to 38-17.
The Zips then responded with a touchdown of their own. After a long 10 play 75 yard drive, that was helped with some penalties by the Mountaineers the Zips scored on a Van Edwards 6 yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 38-24.
To start the 4th quarter, Akron stops the Mountaineers again on 4th and 1, this time on their own 39 yard line. On the first play after the 4th down stop, Woodson connected with Michael Traylor Bennett for a 25 yard gain. Then a few plays later Woodson found JoJo Natson for a 5 yard touchdown pass in the back corner of the endzone to cut the lead to 7, the Zips trailed 38-31 with 12 minutes left in the 4th quarter. The scoring drive was a 7 play 61 yard drive.
Jalin Moore struck again, on a 3rd down and 2 play, Moore goes 35 yards and gave the Mountaineers a 45-31 lead with 8:45 left to go in the game. The drive went 65 yards in 8 plays.
On 4th and goal from the one, Michael Traylor Bennett took it in and put the Zips back within 7. The drive was helped out by a long Van Edwards run which went 38 yards and a horsecollar tackle by an Appalachian State defender put the ball even closer. It was a 6 play 65 yard drive. Putting the score at 45-38 with 6 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter.
The Mountaineers where driving when Akron stopped them on 3rd and short, forcing the first Appalachian State punt of the game. Akron would take over at their own 20 yard line, with 2:12 left.
Akron would then turn the ball over on 4 plays, giving Appalachian State the ball at their own 14 with 1:06 left to go in the game. Woodson was sacked 2 times out of the 4 plays Akron had.
Appalachian State would kneel to end the game giving them the 45-38 victory, moving their record to 2-2 while Akron would drop to 2-2 as well.
Akron finished with 486 yards of total offense. Thomas Woodson finished the game with 353 yard passing on 31 of 43 passes with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Van Edwards was the leading rusher for the Zips, picking up 89 yards on 7 carries. Receiving was led by Jerome Lane, he caught 9 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown, while JoJo Natson added another 87 yards on 10 catches.
For Appalachian State they had 587 yards of total offense. Their charge was led by running back Jalin Moore who picked up 257 yards on 39 carries and 2 long touchdowns. Taylor Lamb added 280 yards through the air on 22/30 passes. Shaedon Meadors was the leading receiver with 51 yards on 4 catches.
The Zips open MAC play next week as they travel to Kent State to take on the Golden Flashes. Kickoff is set for 3:30.
