TCY: Appalachian State (2005)

[Celeval]

TCY: The Appalachian State Challenge

TCY: The Appalachian State Challenge (2004) (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=60693) 6-5

We continue the Appalachian State Challenge. A quick description: we play as Appalachian State in the Southern Conference, with the goal of beating Michigan at the Big House.

This thread begins the 2005 season - our second, after a nearly successful 2004 Southern Conference campaign, where we were blown out by Chattanooga in the last game of the season to decide the conference winner.

[Celeval]

2005 Offseason

Emails
OT Paul Woznickzka has been made academically ineligible. He played in portions of 9 games last season.
OT Butch Walsh has left the team because of poor grades.
OLB Robert Gerhardt has been made academically ineligible. He played in one game last season.
K Bernard Wilkerson has been suspended due to an offcampus fight. He redshirted last season.
K Emmanual Lyons has broken up with his girlfriend.
Syndicate Coordinator Rich Patterson has retired.
SW Scout Roderick Corbin has been hired away.
Offensive Coordinator Bert Kinney has been hired away.

[Celeval]

2005 Team Prestige

A rundown of prestige and academic leaders:

Top Ten Schools (Prestige)
99 Miami (FL)
98 Florida State
97 USC
95 Nebraska
95 Georgia
94 Ohio State
92 Florida
92 Michigan
92 Oklahoma
90 Tennessee

Top Ten Schools (Undergraduate Average)
86 Stanford
82 Duke
78 California
77 Northwestern
75 Virginia
74 Michigan
73 Rice
71 Wisconsin
71 Vanderbilt
69 Illinois

Prestige - Southern Conference
68 (72nd) Chattanooga
65 (92nd) Appalachian State
63 (103rd) Georgia Southern
60 (115th) Elon
59 (119th) Wofford
58 (120th) Furman
58 (121st) The Citadel
56 (125th) Western Carolina

Undergraduate Average - Southern Conference
60 (25th) Western Carolina
53 (35th) Elon
54 (37th) Wofford
50 (55th) Appalachian State
41 (83rd) Furman
37 (100th) The Citadel
36 (110th) Georgia Southern
31 (121st) Chattanooga

[Celeval]

2005 Coaching Staff

Offensive Coordinator
Ronnie Ramsey, 61
Play Calling: Terrific
Injury Avoidance: Good
Rehabilitation: Lousy
Congeniality: Excellent
QB Development: Good
RB Development: Decent
WR Development: Terrific
OL Development: Good
K Development: Decent

Formation: None
Experience: 0 years

After Burt Kinney was hired away by Washington, we go looking and settle on Ramsey. He has no experience in any offense, so we'll pick which we want to run based on who we have. He's pretty solid, but at his ago we probably won't have him very long.

Defensive Coordinator
Leland Bailey, 59
Play Calling: Pretty Good
Injury Avoidance: Excellent
Rehabilitation: Excellent
Congeniality: Poor
DL Development: Very Good
LB Development: Poor
DB Development: Good

We're generally happy with Bailey, and there's noone better out there anyhow.

Syndicate Coordinator
Josh Hitchcock, 60
Academic Eligibility: Decent
Syndicate Investigation: Terrible
Solicit Donations: Excellent

Hitchcock is our new hire here. We're not concerned about the poor Syndicate rating, as we don't plan on doing anything illegal anyhow.

Scout - Southeast
Howard Burgess, 69
QB Scouting: Poor
RB Scouting: Poor
WR Scouting: Excellent
OL Scouting: Decent
K Scouting: Excellent
DL Scouting: Poor
LB Scouting: Good
DB Scouting: Excellent

We go out and grab a new guy for our local scouting as well. Burgess has less highs, but also less lows.

[Celeval]

2005 Schedule

1
2
3 at Kansas State
4
5 Elon
6
7 at Western Carolina
8
9 The Citadel
10 at Chattanooga
11 Furman
12 Georgia Southern
13 at Wofford
14 at Akron
15

We need two more games, and one of those we hope to make Michigan.

Stage One: at Michigan, Week One - Rejected
Stage Two: at Michigan, Week One - Rejected
Stage Three: at Michigan, Week Four - Accepted
Stage Four: at Middle Tennessee Stage (Home and Home), Week One - Rejected
Stage Five: at Central Michigan, Week One - Accepted

The final schedule:

1 at Central Michigan
3 at #21 Kansas State
4 at #7 Michigan
5 Elon
7 at Western Carolina
9 The Citadel
10 at Chattanooga
11 Furman
12 Georgia Southern
13 at Wofford
14 at Akron

Aaaand away we go. I don't expect to be anywhere near winning, but it's a step in the right direction.

[Celeval]

2005 Roster

We lose a number of our best players - and don't have a lot of depth to fill them in with. I'd be surprised if we end up with as good of a team this season as last.

Quarterbacks

Player # Pos Elig Current Estimate Future Estimate
Rudebusch, Doug 1 QB Sr 13 31
Shannon, Otis 10 QB Fr 9 50
Schwartz, Cole 8 QB Fr 4 14
Carter, Greg 11 QB* Jr* 11 11
Nelson, Kim 15 QB* Jr* 0 0

Otis Shannon has by far the best potential of any of our quaterbacks, and he's at least reasonably developed. Given his high school stats, I'd guess he's a pretty decent runner as well, so the freshman will be starting. Meanwhile, we redshirt Cole Schwartz.

Running Backs / Fullbacks

Player # Pos Elig Current Estimate Future Estimate
Clinton, Horace 38 RB Sr 26 26
Gunn, Grant 42 RB So* 25 50
Humphrey, Glen 33 RB Jr* 21 21
Stills, Tracy 31 RB Fr 14 42
O'Neill, Bruce 32 RB Sr* 10 31
Horn, Ernie 46 FB Sr 26 30
Newsome, Jorge 20 FB Sr 26 26
Soriano, Pat 24 FB Fr 17 50
Osgood, Renaldo 23 FB So* 14 14

The freshman here is Tracy Stills, who looks pretty decent, but we've got a couple of guys in front of him and can afford to redshirt him for development.

Meanwhile, a different scout has a different story to tell. Glen Humphrey was our backup running back last season, and he had a solid 4.2 yards/carry average; but this scout doesn't like him very much (21/21 overall, and mostly green bars). Meanwhile, he loves Grant Gunn - Gunn redshirted last year after we didn't see the bars to match what looked like a good overall rating. This year we see the overall and the bars; he'll be our starter at the beginning of the year, with Humphrey in the backup role again. Meanwhile, Horace Clinton looks to be a pretty decent third guy.

At fullback, Soriano is the future - lightly developed, but the best blocker by far. Newsome and Horn got all the time at FB last season, and both ran the ball pretty well. Soriano will get redshirted, as both the others are seniors.

Wide Receivers / Tight Ends

Player # Pos Elig Current Estimate Future Estimate
Forbes, Norm 86 TE Jr 24 27
Fox, Jimmie 85 TE Fr 21 59
Sullivan, Van 89 TE Jr 18 30
Macias, Shaun 97 TE So 17 36
Robertson, Eddie 84 WR Sr 36 36
Sweeney, Teddy 88 WR Jr 19 47
Eleazer, Gene 6 WR So 17 25
Poff, Carlos 83 WR Fr 15 15
Moore, Donovan 4 WR Jr 12 12
Duran, Norman 7 WR So 10 10
Marek, Doug 81 WR* Sr* 10 22
Elliott, Bucky 87 WR* So 3 16

Jimmie Fox has by far the most talent here - he'll be a day one starter at TE, and we actually have a pretty decent backup in Norm Forbes, who caught 5 balls for 46 yards.

For the wideouts, we have a dilemma of sorts - we return our four top receivers from last season, and while Senior Eddie Robertson (22 catches, 341 yards, 2 TD) seems to have the most talent, he didn't play as well as Donovan Moore (34 catches, 548 yards, 7 TD). If we go with a two-receiver offense, they'll both play; but I'm leaning towards a 3-back set to take advantage of the talent I think we have in the backfield. At the moment, we'll call it as Robertson's job, but if he doesn't produce than Moore will be in quickly.


Offensive Line

Player # Pos Elig Current Estimate Future Estimate
Humphrey, Scott 50 C Sr 36 36
Flickinger, Robbie 55 C Jr* 15 20
McGee, Vernon 53 C Jr* 14 29
Carpenter, Brant 73 G Sr* 24 49
Grenier, Lester 70 G Sr* 16 32
Kleedtke, Jumbo 69 G Fr 16 66
Nixon, Lee 68 G Jr* 12 38
Randall, Malcolm 75 G Jr* 2 45
Parrish, Ronnie 61 G* Sr 15 28
Dotson, Victor 65 T So 25 54
Butler, Marc 78 T Sr 20 35
Wilkerson, J.B. 60 T Sr 18 40
Wozniczka, Pete 67 T Sr* 8 25
Murphy, Kenneth 66 T Fr 0 40

Scott Humphrey is solidly our starter in the middle.

We have some flexibility at Guard - we return Brant Carpenter and Lee Nixon, both of whom had at least eight starts last season. We also bring in freshman Jumbo Kleedtke, who might be better than either - he'll start on the right side, along with the RS-Jr Carpenter. Our new scout really, really doesn't like Nixon, but he put up good enough numbers last year to be third.

At the tackles, freshman All-American Vic Dotson has earned a starting spot; overtaking J.B. Wilkerson. Marc Butler takes the other spot, and we'll redshirt promising freshman Ken Murphy.


Kickers

Player # Pos Elig Current Estimate Future Estimate
Shinkle, Gene 13 P Sr 33 33
Faulk, Bernard 12 P Jr* 23 33
Dutton, Ross 17 P Fr 5 5
Tongue, Cornelius 3 K Sr 25 30
Wilkerson, Bernard 18 K So* 14 52
Lyons, Emmanuel 2 K* Sr 25 42

Shinkle will stick with the starting job at punter.

Bernard Lyons showed us something when Tongue was injured last season - hitting 3/3 field goals. Tongue, meanwhile, was pretty bad (5/14) on the season. Lyons wins the job this season.

Defensive Line

Player # Pos Elig Current Estimate Future Estimate
Gaines, Wes 90 DE Sr 32 56
DeWolf, Nolan 77 DE Sr 22 31
Todd, Stan 92 DE So* 22 22
Hitchcock, Emmitt 99 DE Sr 14 27
Batten, Ed 93 DE So 8 42
Winslett, Cedric 98 DE Fr 0 3
Pereira, Ben 96 DT So 10 10
Springett, Jessie 76 DT Fr 10 10
Reynolds, Gerald 71 DT Fr 1 37
Goodwin, Marty 79 DT* So 9 9
Burgess, Dave 74 DT* Jr* 2 24
Griffin, Nate 72 DT* So 2 10

This was our worst position last year. We are at least slightly improved this season, and may be worse at linebacker - a 4-3 is a distinct possibility rather than the 5-0 we ran last time around.

At defensive end, DeWolf and Gaines paired up for some pretty solid sack numbers. Stan Todd is pretty decent as well - better than DeWolf against the run. We'll start Gaines and Todd, but swap DeWolf in for pass situations.

Our inside defensive line is very young, and still not very talented. None of the guys who got playing time - Ben Pereira got the most - really did all that much for us. Pereira did have 4.0 sacks, but only 12 combined tackles and assists. He's still the best we have - freshman Jessie Springett is pretty decent (looks better than that 10/10, actually), and while Gerald Reynolds has the potential, he has no development at all. We can get by with Pereira and Springett, but let's see the ILBs.

Linebackers

Player # Pos Elig Current Estimate Future Estimate
Brooks, Richie 47 ILB Sr 19 25
Reid, John 59 ILB Sr* 14 32
Hitchcock, Tony 56 ILB Sr* 13 33
Casper, Kelvin 40 ILB Sr* 8 27
Flynn, Leland 43 OLB So 12 27
Olsen, Ike 49 OLB Fr 9 74
Gerhardt, Robert 57 OLB* Sr* 9 23
Tolson, Doug 58 OLB* Jr* 8 26
Appleberry, Monty 95 OLB* Jr* 2 32

We return both starters at ILB from last season, but I have to say I was very unimpressed with Richie Brooks. He's not much of a run stopper, and had 29 combined tackles and assists in 11 games. Hitchcock was the other one in the middle, and he had twice as many (58). If Brooks put any pressure on the quarterback, that'd be useful, but he had one shining moment in pass coverage (returned interception for touchdown). Looking at the numbers, John Reid actually played much better - he had 29 tackles/assists in parts of only five games, and a much better tackle percentage. Reid and Hitchcock will start in the middle - I think we'll stick with the 5-0 this season.

On the outside, we return a pretty poor Leland Flynn as our only real major time player; but we bring in our best recruit in Ike Olsen - he has the potential to be a top guy, and he'll start as well. Flynn will be in play, as well, but we really need help at linebacker for next season.

Defensive Backs

Player # Pos Elig Current Estimate Future Estimate
Emmons, Chris 25 CB Jr 11 13
Andrews, Courtney 30 CB So 8 21
Calloway, Adrian 35 CB Fr 5 10
Downey, Duane 39 CB* So 5 29
Guido, Brant 21 S Sr 26 26
Davis, Sedrick 44 S Sr* 21 33
Fisk, Cris 36 S Fr 19 38
Alcott, Patrick 26 S So 12 25
Meeber, Jermaine 27 S So 12 37
Cherney, Maurice 41 S Fr 7 42

We've got basically no coverage on the corners. With a lack of actual guys who can play pass defense, we'll go with the guys who can pick the ball off - Chris Emmons had two interceptions as the nickel back last year, and Courtney Andrews had one in eight starts.

Strong safety will be returning starter Brant Guido, who had 76 combined tackles/assists last season. FS will be the freshman Cris Fisk - he should be somewhat decent, but we're far behind where our secondary was last season.

[Celeval]

2005 Formations and Gameplans

Offense
A switch in offensive philosophy with a new cast of characters. We know we want to go with a three-back set, and decide to go with the classic Wishbone. Carries will be split - 40/20 between the starting RB/WB, and the rest between the quarterback and fullback. We're also aiming to run a good bit of option. Shannon has a very good arm (if underdeveloped), so when we throw the ball (not often), we'll try and stretch the field with Robertson and Fox when we can.

Defense
We continue with the 5-0 formation we used last season, with the same associated side effects (no goal-line, no nickel, no dime). Pass coverage will be balanced Man/Zone/Bump, although with no 4-deep.

[Celeval]

2005 Recruiting

We had a reasonably successful recruiting season last year, but it could have been better - we targeted a number of players early who we were able to easily land, and who were not up to snuff talent-wise.

There are 17 graduating seniors this year - including a number of starters. As will be the case for a while, we'll need to get whatever talent we can; but there's a distinct need for players on the defensive side of the ball.

After a pretty solid season last year, there are six players who contact us to let us know they'd love to play here:

FB Neil Doyle - Statesville, NC
10th ranked Fullback in North Carolina
Overall: 10/100
Strength: Third-Down Running
Weakness: Pass Protection
Academics: Qualify

WR Harry Kirk - Lawndale, NC
17th ranked Wide Receiver in North Carolina
Overall: 14/100
Strength: Catching in Traffic
Weakness: Yardage after the Catch
Academics: Does not Qualify (2.04 GPA, 707 Test)

OG Monty Halela - Hays, North Carolina
11th ranked Guard in North Carolina
Overall: 22/100
Strength: Pass Protection
Weakness: Run Blocking
Academics: Does not Qualify (2.73 GPA, 1069 Test)

ILB Quentin Morton - Bristol, TN
79th ranked player in Tennessee
5th ranked Inside Linebacker in Tennessee
Overall: 16/100
Strength: Intercepting Passes
Weakness: Defending the Run
Academics: Does not Qualify (2.37 GPA, 785 Test)

OLB Shannon Herndon - Boone, NC
14th ranked OLB in North Carolina
Overall: 10/100
Strength: Man-to-Man Defense
Weakness: Zone Defense
Academics: Qualify

S Neil Murray - Salisbury, NC
94th ranked Safety in the nation
46th ranked player in North Carolina
2nd ranked Safety in North Carolina
Overall: 45/100
Strength: Man-to-Man Defense
Weakness: Punt Returning
Academics: Qualify

Neil Murray is an immediate target, but I don't think we'll chase any of the others.

The ten players we pick for phone calls:

RB Dean Boyles - Stanwoord, WA
915th ranked player in the nation
76th ranked Running Back in the nation
23rd ranked player in Washington
2nd ranked Running Back in Washington
Overall: 50/100
Strength: Gaining Extra Yardage
Weakness: Punt Returning
Academics: Qualify

WR Randall Singleton - Burlington, NC
38th ranked player in North Carolina
5th ranked Wide Receiver in North Carolina
Overall: 50/100
Strength: Kick Returning
Weakness: Third-Down Receiving
Academics: Qualify

C Craig Blackburn - Lake Mary, FL
56th ranked Center in the nation
52nd ranked player in Florida
3rd ranked Center in Florida
Overall: 51/100
Strength: Run Blocking
Weakness: Pass Protection
Academics: Qualify

DT Eddie Nabonsa - Saranac, NY
15th ranked Defensive Tackle in New York
Overall: 27/100
Strength: Defending the Run
Weakness: Rushing the Passer
Academics: Qualify

DT Walter Price - Chicago, IL
97th ranked player in Illinois
7th ranked Defensive Tackle in Illinois
Overall: 34/100
Strength: Rushing the Passer
Weakness: Defending the Run
Academics: Qualify

ILB Emmitt Terrell - Buena Vista, CO
33rd ranked player in Colorado
2nd ranked Inside Linebacker in Colorado
Overall: 41/100
Strength: Man-to-Man Defense
Weakness: Zone Defense
Academics Qualify:

OLB Rodney Kelly - Sussex, WI
34th ranked player in Wisconsin
5th ranked Outside Linebacker in Wisconsin
Overall: 39/100
Strength: Zone Defense
Weakness: Intercepting Passes
Academics: Qualify

CB Johnny Stauffer - Largo, FL
96th ranked player in Florida
6th ranked Cornerback in Florida
Overall: 34/100
Strength: Punt Returning
Weakness: Zone Defense
Academics: Qualify

CB Jackie Kaplan - Philadelphia, PA
8th ranked Cornerback in Pennsylvania
Overall: 27/100
Strength: Punt Returning
Weakness: Defending the Run
Academics: Qualify

S Eric Darius - Long Beach, CA
19th ranked Safety in California
Overall: 40/100
Strength: Intercepting Passes
Weakness: Punt Returning
Academics: Qualify

A number of players who we visit at home and extend an invitation to visit - we can only offer a scholarship to one of these guys as our academic exception. The results, I think, make us lean towards Lavender.

C Emmitt Alston - Galloway, OH
73rd ranked Center in the nation
57th ranked player in Ohio
3rd ranked Center in Ohio
Overall: 69/100
Impression: Much Worse than Scouted
Strength: Run Blocking
Weakness: Pass Protection
Academics: Does not Qualify (2.72 GPA, 983 Test Score)

OLB Claude Lavender - Hendersonville, NC
97th ranked player in North Carolina
6th ranked Outside Linebacker in North Carolina
Overall: 49/100
Impression: Better than Scouted
Strength: Man-to-Man Defense
Weakness: Zone Defense
Academics: Does not Qualify (3.00 GPA, 1061 Test Score)

And a few guys who we offer a scholarship to immediately, as well.

QB O.J. Bradley - Macon, GA
100th ranked Quarterback in the nation
38th ranked player in Georgia
3rd ranked Quarterback in Georgia
Overall: 56/100
Impression: Worse than Scouted
Strength: Long Passing
Weakness: Touch Passing
Academics: Qualify

RB Mercury Schwartz - Salisbury, MD
633rd ranked player in the nation
51st ranked Running Back in the nation
19th ranked player in Maryland
Top ranked Running Back in Maryland
Overall: 71/100
Impression: Worse than Scouted
Strength: Power Running
Weakness: Kick Returning
Academics: Qualify

DE Leroy Hoyle - Cinnaminson, NJ
10th ranked Defensive End in New Jersey
Overall: 30/100
Impression: Better than Scouted
Strength: Defending the Run
Weakness: Rushing the Passer
Academics: Qualify

ILB Darrin Morris - Parsons, TN
61st ranked player in Tennessee
4th ranked Inside Linebacker in Tennessee
Overall: 40/100
Impression: Better than Scouted
Strength: Defending the Run
Weakness: Intercepting Passes
Academics: Qualify

CB Byron Laroche - Columbus, OH
92nd ranked player in Ohio
8th ranked Cornerback in Ohio
Overall: 31/100
Impression: Much Better than Scouted
Strength: Intercepting Passes
Weakness: Defending the Run
Academics: Qualify

S Neil Murray
Impression: Better than Scouted

[Celeval]

Week One Results

Games
TV1: #28 West Virginia 17, #27 Wisconsin 34
TV2: #31 Boise State 19, #4 Nebraska 26
TV3: Duke 3, #37 Arkansas 52
TV3: #3 USC 6, #2 Florida State 31
TV3: Kentucky 14, #6 Ohio State 58
TV4: Oklahoma State 10, #45 Syracuse 37
TV4: #35 Washington 52, Central Florida 3
TV4: Houston 31, #48 Colorado 26
TV4: Rice 3, Texas Tech 30
TV4: #46 Miami (OH) 7, #1 Miami (FL) 66
TV5: Missouri 31, Louisville 7
TV5: California 14, Troy 24
TV5: San Diego State 10, #47 Michigan State 24
TV5: UTEP 7, Boston College 69
TV5: Ball State 3, #34 Minnesota 48
TV5: Navy 0, #16 Auburn 58

Southern Conference
Elon 3, #38 Mississippi 59 [TV5]
Connecticut 31, Chattanooga 28
Wofford 10, #32 Georgia Tech 45

Appalachian State (0-0) at Central Michigan (0-0)
Line: Central Michigan by 5

Offense: Single-Back Formation (1st year)
Best Offensive Player: WR Claude Blackwell, Senior (51/64)
Best Defensive Player: DE Damon Wilder, RS-Senior (29/37)

Injuries
None



Box Score: Appalachian State at Central Michigan
Mount Pleasant, MI.

Week 1, 2005

Attendance: 22,900 (30,200).


Weather: 61 degrees, rain.

1Q: 08:56 CMIC - A.J. Givens 1 pass from Brant Lofton.
1Q: 08:56 CMIC - Percy Pearsall extra point.
2Q: 07:16 CMIC - Percy Pearsall 26 field goal.
2Q: 03:22 APST - Otis Shannon 2 run.
2Q: 03:22 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
2Q: 00:17 CMIC - Howie Porter 14 run.
2Q: 00:17 CMIC - Percy Pearsall extra point.
4Q: 05:22 CMIC - Percy Pearsall 20 field goal.

Game MVP: CMIC 73 Emmitt Herndon

Appalachian State 0 7 0 0 - 7
Central Michigan 7 10 0 3 - 20

We're not surprised at the loss, but are encouraged by a decent defensive performance. 147 yards allowed through the air, and one interception; which was our worry. Offensively, well, needs work. Shannon has a forgettable first game, despite rushing for a short touchdown - completing 11 of 27 for 160 and two interceptions. Gunn and Humphrey look pretty decent, combining for 120 yards on 26 carries. Granted, we were down most of the game, but I'd prefer to run the ball a bit more overall.


Visiting Players
S Neil Murray is visiting. We are the only team to have contacted Murray.

First Time Home Visits
C Craig Blackburn
Impression: Much Better than Scouted

Newly Extended Invitations
C Craig Blackburn

New Scholarship Offers
C Craig Blackburn
OLB Claude Lavender

[Celeval]

Week Two Results

Games
TV1: #7 Boston College 44, #23 Wyoming 16
TV2: #34 Oregon 58, #6 Wisconsin 22
TV3: #8 Georgia Tech 14, #35 UCLA 37
TV3: #17 North Carolina 0, #36 LSU 69
TV3: Akron 3, #13 Syracuse 66
TV4: #32 Virginia Tech 34, #19 Troy 6
TV4: Baylor 18, #9 Minnesota 48
TV4: #31 Texas 17, #30 Tennessee 24
TV4: New Mexico 0, #15 Missouri 52
TV4: #47 TCU 21, #37 Texas A&M 30
TV5: #27 Michigan 24, #33 Notre Dame 48
TV5: #28 Oklahoma 42, Tulsa 7
TV5: #12 Mississippi 31, Arkansas State 21
TV5: Tulane 31, #20 Central Michigan 27
TV5: #24 Louisiana Tech 12, Oklahoma 38
TV5: Miami (OH) 7, #3 Nebraska 56
TV5: Western Michigan 3, #29 Florida 59

Southern Conference
Alabama-Birmingham 44, Wofford 17
Kent State 14, Chattanooga 48
Western Carolina 17, Central Florida 38
Furman 3, #38 Oregon State 51
The Citadel 22, Idaho 48
Elon 0, Colorado State 50
Georgia Southern 3, Marshall 31

We have a bye week.

Visiting Players
S Neil Murray is visiting. Neil is considering an offer from Furman.

First Time Home Visits
WR Randall Singleton
Impression: Better than Scouted

CB Johnny Stauffer
Impression: Better than Scouted

CB Jackie Kaplan
Impression: Better than Scouted

Newly Extended Invitations
WR Randall Singleton
CB Johnny Stauffer
CB Jackie Kaplan

New Scholarship Offers
WR Randall Singleton
CB Johnny Stauffer
CB Jackie Kaplan

[Celeval]

Week Three Results

Games
TV1: #26 Washington 17, #1 Miami (FL) 45
TV2: #10 Notre Dame 49, #14 LSU 16
TV3: #36 Missouri 20, #33 Michigan State 42
TV3: #35 Colorado State 20, Colorado 23
TV3: #49 SMU 7, #48 Idaho 30
TV4: #25 Virginia 20, Rutgers 3
TV4: #23 Minnesota 21, Utah 31
TV4: #5 Ohio State 56, #12 UCLA 54
TV4: #47 Cincinnati 21, #30 Purdue 47
TV5: Temple 19, Central Florida 41
TV5: #16 Oregon State 51, Fresno State 0
TV5: #20 Washington State 38, Navy 6
TV5: Louisiana Tech 0, Texas 50
TV5: San Jose State 17, #22 Boston College 45
TV5: Ohio 0, #11 Oregon 49

Southern Conference
Georgia Southern 7, #2 Florida State 69 [TV5]
Rice 26, Chattanooga 14
Furman 7, #39 Texas Tech 38
Wofford 20, New Mexico 35
The Citadel 7, #9 Virginia Tech 49

Appalachian State (0-1) at #18 Kansas State (1-0)
Line: Kansas State by 15
Television: TV4

Offense: Power-I Formation (6th year)
Best Offensive Player: T Ray Dunlap, Senior (91/91)
Best Defensive Player: DE Bryant Derubeis, RS-Senior (88/100)

Injuries
DE Nolan DeWolf, Questionable 2 weeks



Box Score: Appalachian State at Kansas State
Manhattan, KS.

Week 3, 2005

Attendance: 47,000 (50,000).


Weather: 76 degrees, fair.

1Q: 12:11 KSST - Brock Widell 46 run.
1Q: 12:11 KSST - Jumbo Harris extra point.
1Q: 06:52 KSST - Jesse Richmond 9 run.
1Q: 06:52 KSST - Jumbo Harris extra point.
2Q: 14:50 KSST - Brock Widell 1 run.
2Q: 14:50 KSST - Jumbo Harris extra point.
2Q: 11:59 KSST - Brock Widell 12 run.
2Q: 11:59 KSST - Jumbo Harris extra point.
2Q: 06:02 KSST - Gilbert Hopkins 4 run.
2Q: 06:02 KSST - Jumbo Harris extra point.
2Q: 00:24 KSST - Gilbert Hopkins 6 run.
2Q: 00:24 KSST - Jumbo Harris extra point.
3Q: 11:38 KSST - Gilbert Hopkins 1 run.
3Q: 11:38 KSST - Jumbo Harris extra point.
3Q: 05:52 APST - Emmanuel Lyons 45 field goal.
4Q: 14:51 KSST - Gilbert Hopkins 7 run.
4Q: 14:51 KSST - Jumbo Harris extra point.
4Q: 07:08 KSST - Jumbo Harris 18 field goal.

Game MVP: KSST 28 Gilbert Hopkins

Appalachian State 0 0 3 0 - 3
Kansas State 14 28 7 10 - 59

I have a feeling this is what we have to expect from Michigan as well. We ran the ball relatively well - 24 carries for 149 yards is a 6.2 yard/carry average - and Shannon threw the ball decently (6/10 for 60), but Rudebusch ended up getting a bunch of playing time as well (I imagine, after the blowout began), and he completed 2 of 9 for 5 yards and 3 interceptions. Defensively, we got killed in all facets - we loaded up to stop the run (as Kansas State is a Power-I team), and that ended up with us stopping neither the pass (14/17, 271 yards) or the run (57-310). We did force three punts, so that's something.


Visiting Players
QB O.J. Bradley is visiting. He is considering an offer from Vanderbilt, and has been contacted by Memphis.
WR Randall Singleton is visiting. He is also visiting Wofford, and considering offers from Connecticut and Elon.
CB Jackie Kaplan is visiting. No other teams have contacted Jackie.
S Neil Murray is visiting. He is considering offers from Furman and Western Carolina, and has been contacted by Buffalo and San Diego State.

First Time Home Visits
DT Walter Price
Impression: Much Better than Scouted

Newly Extended Invitations
DT Walter Price

New Scholarship Offers
DT Walter Price

[Celeval]

Week Four Results

Games
TV1: #10 Notre Dame 42, #26 Purdue 9
TV2: #29 Syracuse 24, #12 Auburn 34
TV3: #23 South Carolina 20, #5 Ohio State 31
TV3: #24 Arkansas 38, #6 Oklahoma 10
TV3: #45 Memphis 14, #28 Utah 35
TV4: #30 Michigan State 21, West Virginia 49
TV4: Iowa State 27, #25 Iowa 24
TV4: Connecticut 35, #20 Boston College 39
TV4: Washington 26, #16 Kansas State 49
TV4: Wyoming 10, #36 New Mexico State 38
TV5: Baylor 0, #2 Florida State 55
TV5: #31 Brigham Young 13, #46 Illinois 41
TV5: Alabama-Birmingham 14, #1 Miami (FL) 63
TV5: #35 Tulane 0, #43 LSU 55
TV5: San Jose State 0, #14 Oregon State 59
TV5: Buffalo 7, #9 Virginia Tech 62

Southern Conference
Western Carolina 7, #39 Marshall 20 [TV5]
New Mexico 20, Elon 46
Navy 14, The Citadel 21
Georgia Southern 0, #13 Texas A&M 41

Appalachian State (0-2) at #34 Michigan (1-1)
Line: Michigan by 13

Offense: Pro Formation (6th year)
Best Offensive Player: QB Jared McCarthy, Senior (82/84)
Best Defensive Player: DT Jessie Broomfield, RS-Senior (89/100)

Appalachian State Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 65-286, 4.40 ypc (68th)
Passing Offense: 19-45, 225 yards (109th)
Points Per Game: 5.0 (118th)
Rushing Defense: 92-498, 5.38 ypc (106th)
Passing Defense: 30-48, 418 yards (47th)
PPG Allowed: 39.5 (102nd)

Michigan Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 76-300, 3.94 ypc (64th)
Passing Offense: 42-73, 575 yards (37th)
Points Per Game: 34.5 (34th)
Rushing Defense: 54-197, 3.64 ypc (34th)
Passing Defense: 35-62, 471 yards (62nd)
PPG Allowed: 31.0 (78th)

Injuries
CB Duane Downey, Doubtful 4 weeks
DE Nolan DeWolf, Probable 1 week



Box Score: Appalachian State at Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI.

Week 4, 2005

Attendance: 107,500 (107,500).


Weather: 59 degrees, fair.

1Q: 07:16 MICH - Phil Newman 12 run.
1Q: 07:16 MICH - Gino Campbell extra point.
1Q: 02:23 MICH - Gino Campbell 39 field goal.
2Q: 08:45 MICH - Tyrus Aceves 3 pass from Jared McCarthy.
2Q: 08:45 MICH - Gino Campbell extra point.
2Q: 04:37 APST - Glen Humphrey 45 pass from Otis Shannon.
2Q: 04:37 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
3Q: 12:56 MICH - Kendrick Langley 51 pass from Jared McCarthy.
3Q: 12:56 MICH - Gino Campbell extra point.
4Q: 11:59 MICH - Kendrick Langley 28 pass from Jared McCarthy.
4Q: 11:59 MICH - Gino Campbell extra point.
4Q: 00:35 MICH - T.J. Allen 1 run.
4Q: 00:35 MICH - Gino Campbell extra point.

Game MVP: MICH 74 Ian Wayne

Appalachian State 0 7 0 0 - 7
Michigan 10 7 7 14 - 38

That wasn't too bad. Our biggest problem offensively seems that Rudebusch keeps getting in somehow. He was sacked 3 times for 16 yards, and 2-7 for 18 yards and an interception. Gunn and Humphrey had 25 carries for 116 yards - Shannon had 2 yards on 14 carries (3 sacks for another -16 were worked in, so 11-18 otherwise). The bright spot was our first passing touchdown of the season - Shannon to Humphrey for 45 yards. The low spot was 4 lost fumbles.

Defensively, basically we showed how far behind we are - 438 yards, split pretty well between run and pass.


Visiting Players
QB O.J. Bradley is visiting. He is considering an offer from Vanderbilt, and has been contacted by Memphis.
RB Mercury Schwartz is visiting. He is considering an offer from Navy, and has been contacted by Akron, Colorado, Kentucky, and Purdue.
WR Randall Singleton is visiting. He is also visiting Elon and Wofford, and considering offers from Connecticut, Georgia Southern, and Western Carolina.
C Craig Blackburn is visiting. He is considering offers from Cincinnati and South Florida, and has been contacted by North Carolina.
DE Leroy Hoyle is visiting. No other teams have contacted Leroy.
DT Walter Price is visiting. No other teams have contacted Price.
CB Byron Laroche is visiting. No other teams have contacted Laroche.
CB Johnny Stauffer is visiting. No other teams have contacted Stauffer.
CB Jackie Kaplan is visiting. No other teams have contacted Jackie.
S Neil Murray is visiting. He is also visiting Western Carolina, is considering offers from Buffalo and Furman, and has been contacted by San Diego State.

Newly Extended Invitations
RB Dean Boyles
DT Eddie Nabonsa
ILB Emmitt Terrell
OLB Rodney Kelly
S Eric Darius

[Celeval]

Week Five Results

Games
TV1: #4 Georgia 34, #21 Mississippi 7
TV2: #30 Texas Tech 7, #15 Kansas State 55
TV3: #17 Washington State 9, #11 Oregon 40
TV3: #6 Florida 31, #22 Arkansas 24
TV3: #18 Alabama 10, #7 Tennessee 31
TV4: #20 Virginia 14, #1 Miami (FL) 56
TV4: #14 Penn State 53, #39 Minnesota 32
TV4: #47 Iowa State 23, #12 Texas A&M 52
TV4: #3 Nebraska 44, Oklahoma State 3
TV4: Central Michigan 24, #34 Marshall 21
TV5: #5 Ohio State 28, #41 Purdue 24
TV5: #24 Oklahoma 27, #48 Missouri 3
TV5: #31 Arizona State 34, #25 Stanford 21
TV5: Vanderbilt 0, #10 Auburn 35
TV5: #29 LSU 7, South Carolina 27
TV5: SMU 30, Hawaii 10
TV5: #46 Idaho 7, North Texas 24

Southern Conference
Furman 35, Western Carolina 20
Wofford 31, Georgia Southern 24
The Citadel 6, Chattanooga 34

Elon (1-2) at Appalachian State (0-3)
Line: Appalachian State by 7

Offense: I-Formation (6 years)
Best Offensive Player: C Antoine Pickerill, RS-Senior (50/50)
Best Defensive Player: CB Ty Hopkins, RS-Senior (34/34)

Elon Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 94-449, 4.77 ypc (51st)
Passing Offense: 44-78, 539 yards (69th)
Points Per Game: 16.3 (90th)
Rushing Defense: 115-701, 6.09 ypc (118th)
Passing Defense: 56-78, 861 yards (116th)
PPG Allowed: 43.0 (111th)

Appalachian State Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 112-394, 3.51 ypc (66th)
Passing Offense: 25-64, 332 yards (111th)
Points Per Game: 5.6 (120th)
Rushing Defense: 127-691, 5.44 ypc (117th)
Passing Defense: 43-71, 660 yards (75th)
PPG Allowed: 39.0 (103rd)

Injuries
ILB Richie Brooks, Out 11 weeks
CB Duane Downey, Doubtful 3 weeks



Box Score: Elon at Appalachian State
Appalachian State, NC.

Week 5, 2005

Attendance: 12,400 (20,400).


Weather: 68 degrees, rain.

1Q: 05:19 APST - Grant Gunn 12 run.
1Q: 05:19 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
1Q: 03:08 APST - Emmanuel Lyons 30 field goal.
2Q: 03:14 APST - Jorge Newsome 4 run.
2Q: 03:14 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
2Q: 00:33 APST - Emmanuel Lyons 18 field goal.
4Q: 13:37 APST - Grant Gunn 1 run.
4Q: 13:37 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
4Q: 07:30 APST - Horace Clinton 17 pass from Otis Shannon.
4Q: 07:30 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.

Game MVP: APST 69 Jumbo Kleedtke

Elon 0 0 0 0 - 0
Appalachian State 10 10 0 14 - 34

This is the type of game we want to play. Keys - we won time of possession by seven minutes, had 20 first downs (8/16 on third down), and ran 51 times for 225 yards. The blowout score was a direct result of turnovers - we didn't turn it over, and Elon did five times (eventually). Gunn carried 18 for 130 and 2 scores; Shannon was 15-30 overall, 11-53 discounting sacks; and completed 11 of 15 for 118 and a touchdown, which is exactly what we want from him. No sign of the backup QB today.


New Commitments
RB Mercury Schwartz (633rd player nationally, 51st RB nationally, 19th player in MD, top RB in MD) has committed to Appalachian State!
S Neil Murray (94th S nationally, 46th player in NC, 2nd S in NC) has committed to Appalachian State!

Murray we figured we would get, due to being his idolized team, but Schwartz is a great pickup for us - he has outstanding high school rushing numbers (1500 yards, 17 TDs), and will be the absolute focus of our offense as soon as next season.

Visiting Players
QB O.J. Bradley is visiting. He is also visiting Vanderbilt, and has been contacted by Memphis.
WR Randall Singleton is visiting. He is also visiting Elon and Wofford, considering offers from Connecticut, Furman, Georgia Southern, and Western Carolina, and has been contacted by San Diego State.
C Craig Blackburn is visiting. He is considering offers from Cincinnati and South Florida, and has been contacted by North Carolina.
DE Leroy Hoyle is visiting. No other teams have contacted Hoyle.
DT Walter Price is visiting. No other teams have contacted Price.
ILB Darrin Morris is visiting. No other teams have contacted Morris.
OLB Claude Lavender is visiting. No other teams have contacted Lavender.
CB Byron Laroche is visiting. No other teams have contacted Laroche.
CB Johnny Stauffer is visiting. No other teams have contacted Stauffer.
CB Jackie Kaplan is visiting. No other teams have contacted Jackie.
S Neil Murray is visiting. He is also visiting Western Carolina, is considering offers from Buffalo and Furman, and has been contacted by San Diego State.

First Time Home Visit
ILB Emmitt Terrell
Impression: Worse than Scouted

Newly Extended Invitations
RB Dean Boyles
DT Eddie Nabonsa
ILB Emmitt Terrell
OLB Rodney Kelly
S Eric Darius

New Scholarship Offers
DT Eddie Nabonsa
ILB Emmitt Terrell
OLB Rodney Kelly
S Eric Darius

[Celeval]

Week Six Results

Games
TV1: #10 Auburn 17, #6 Florida 10
TV2: #12 Texas A&M 17, #3 Nebraska 24
TV3: #14 Kansas State, #21 Texas 27
TV3: #26 USC 36, #22 Arizona State 14
TV3: #38 Arkansas 10, #4 Georgia 42
TV4: #1 Miami (FL) 56, Maryland 3
TV4: Indiana 9, #5 Ohio State 21
TV4: #50 Iowa 17, #13 Penn State 58
TV4: #40 California 14, #23 Washington State 17
TV4: #11 Oregon 40, #32 UCLA 14
TV5: North Carolina 10, #15 Clemson 45
TV5: #16 Michigan 52, Northwestern 21
TV5: Kansas 17, #42 Texas Tech 27
TV5: #37 South Carolina 37, Mississippi State 10
TV5: #29 Mississippi 31, Vanderbilt 7
TV5: Central Florida 6, Ohio 21
TV5: Troy 13, North Texas 24

Southern Conference
Air Force 38, Chattanooga 9
#35 Colorado State 31, The Citadel 21
Ball State 30, Furman 24
Eastern Michigan 24, Western Carolina 10
Northern Illinois 34, Wofford 31
Elon 35, San Diego State 42

We are off this week.

New Commitments
C Craig Blackburn (56th C nationally, 52nd player in FL, 3rd C in FL) has committed to Appalachian State!

Visiting Players
QB O.J. Bradley is visiting. He is also visiting Vanderbilt, and has been contacted by Memphis.
WR Randall Singleton is visiting. He is also visiting Elon and Wofford, considering offers from Connecticut, Furman, Georgia Southern, and Western Carolina, and has been contacted by San Diego State.
C Craig Blackburn is visiting. He is considering offers from Cincinnati and South Florida, and has been contacted by North Carolina.
DE Leroy Hoyle is visiting. No other teams have contacted Hoyle.
DT Walter Price is visiting. No other teams have contacted Price.
ILB Darrin Morris is visiting. No other teams have contacted Morris.
OLB Claude Lavender is visiting. No other teams have contacted Lavender.
CB Byron Laroche is visiting. No other teams have contacted Laroche.
CB Johnny Stauffer is visiting. No other teams have contacted Stauffer.
CB Jackie Kaplan is visiting. No other teams have contacted Jackie.
S Neil Murray is visiting. He is also visiting Western Carolina, is considering offers from Buffalo and Furman, and has been contacted by San Diego State.

A barrage of phone calls to highly-rated players who haven't gotten an offer yet.

New Phone Calls
QB Carl Jennings - Saratoga, CA
7th ranked player in the nation
3rd ranked Quarterback in the nation
2nd ranked player in California
Top ranked Quarterback in California
Overall: 68/100
Strength: Avoiding Interceptions
Weakness: Long Passing
Academics: Qualify

RB D.J. Kilgore - Heflin, AL
459th ranked player in the nation
36th ranked Running Back in the nation
10th ranked player in Alabama
Top ranked Running Back in Alabama
Overall: 54/100
Strength: Gaining Extra Yardage
Weakness: Punt Returning
Academics: Qualify

DE Ian Barnett - Berlin, MD
138th ranked player in the nation
14th ranked Defensive End in the nation
7th ranked player in Maryland
2nd ranked Defensive End in Maryland
Overall: 65/100
Strength: Rushing the Passer
Weakness: Defending the Run
Academics: Qualify

DE Sammy Vance - Bayou La Batre, AL
197th ranked player in the nation
20th ranked Defensive End in the nation
4th ranked player in Alabama
2nd ranked Defensive End in Alabama
Overall: 93/100
Strength: Rushing the Passer
Weakness: Defending the Run
Academics: Qualify

DT Marvin Clifford - Floral Park, NY
219th ranked player in the nation
12th ranked Defensive Tackle in the nation
20th ranked player in New York
2nd ranked Defensive Tackle in New York
Overall: 78/100
Strength: Defending the Run
Weakness: Rushing the Passer
Academics: Qualify

CB Bernie Timberlane - Virginia Beach, VA
717th ranked player in the nation
52nd ranked Cornerback in the nation
16th ranked player in Virginia
2nd ranked Cornerback in Virginia
Overall: 70/100
Strength: Kick Returning
Weakness: Zone Defense
Academics: Qualify

First Time Home Visit
DT Eddit Nabonsa
Impression: Worse than Scouted

OLB Rodney Kelly
Impression: Better than Scouted

New Visit Requests
QB Carl Jennings
RB D.J. Kilgore
DE Sammie Vance
DE Ian Barnett
DT Marvin Clifford
CB Bernie Timberlane

New Scholarship Offers
QB Carl Jennings
RB D.J. Kilgore
RB Dean Boyles
DE Sammie Vance
DE Ian Barnett
DT Marvin Clifford
CB Bernie Timberlane

We are officially overextended - three commitments, and 20 outstanding scholarship offers (max class size of 16). Assuming we get turned down by at least five of the six long shots, there will be as many as three scholarship offers that will be revoked when the class is full.

[Celeval]

Week Seven Results

Games
TV1: #4 Georgia 20, #16 Florida 14
TV2: #32 South Carolina 9, #6 Tennessee 24
TV3: #13 Clemson 35, #2 Florida State 9
TV3: #49 Washington 28, #10 Oregon 56
TV3: SMU 21, #30 Boise State 41
TV4: #8 Virginia Tech 52, #31 Georgia Tech 7
TV4: #11 Penn State 35, #42 Purdue 38
TV4: #28 Wisconsin 13, #14 Michigan 10
TV4: #12 Kansas State 59, Missouri 10
TV4: Syracuse 30, #17 Boston College 26
TV5: #47 Iowa State 18, #45 Colorado 17
TV5: Baylor 3, #15 Oklahoma 49
TV5: #34 Texas 19, #36 Texas Tech 14
TV5: #21 USC 55, California 10
TV5: Wyoming 17, #38 BYU 42
TV5: Eastern Michigan 20, Central Michigan 24
TV5: Toledo 35, Ball State 25

Southern Conference
Chattanooga 37, Wofford 34
The Citadel 41, Elon 7
Georgia Southern 28, Furman 31

Appalachian State (1-3) at Western Carolina (0-4)
Line: Appalachian State by 15

Offense: I-Formation (6 years)
Best Offensive Player: TE Rickey Poston, RS-Senior (36/36)
Best Defensive Player: DT Kerry Sheldon, Senior (40/57)

Appalachian State Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 163-619, 3.79 ypc (63rd)
Passing Offense: 36-79, 450 yards (121st)
Points Per Game: 12.7 (120th)
Rushing Defense: 154-771, 5.00 ypc (89th)
Passing Defense: 55-93, 737 yards (15th)
PPG Allowed: 29.2 (81st)

Western Carolina Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 113-270, 2.38 ypc (119th)
Passing Offense: 61-134, 688 yards (100th)
Points Per Game: 13.5 (104th)
Rushing Defense: 150-782, 5.21 ypc (114th)
Passing Defense: 69-127, 803 yards (26th)
PPG Allowed: 29.2 (81st)

Injuries
FB Ernie Horn, Out 12 weeks
ILB Richie Brooks, Out 8 weeks
CB Duane Downey, Probable 1 week



Box Score: Appalachian State at Western Carolina
Western Carolina, NC.

Week 7, 2005

Attendance: 3,000 (33,200).


Weather: 49 degrees, stormy.

1Q: 12:06 APST - Grant Gunn 22 run.
1Q: 12:06 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
1Q: 05:02 WCAR - Travis Jones 18 field goal.
1Q: 04:08 WCAR - Victor Andrews 3 pass from Gino Rainville.
1Q: 04:08 WCAR - Travis Jones extra point.
1Q: 01:00 APST - Emmanuel Lyons 32 field goal.
2Q: 12:44 WCAR - Travis Jones 38 field goal.
2Q: 08:45 APST - Emmanuel Lyons 20 field goal.
3Q: 12:01 WCAR - Cary Stokes 1 run.
3Q: 12:01 WCAR - Travis Jones extra point.
3Q: 05:02 WCAR - Travis Jones 39 field goal.
4Q: 13:12 APST - Jimmie Fox 15 pass from Otis Shannon.
4Q: 13:12 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
4Q: 12:33 APST - Brant Guido 21 interception return.
4Q: 12:33 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
4Q: 04:39 WCAR - Cary Stokes 30 run.
4Q: 04:39 WCAR - Travis Jones extra point.
4Q: 03:32 APST - Eddie Robertson 31 pass from Otis Shannon.
4Q: 03:32 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
4Q: 00:55 WCAR - Rickey Poston 15 pass from Gino Rainville.
4Q: 00:55 WCAR - Travis Jones extra point.

Game MVP: WCAR 36 Cary Stokes

Appalachian State 10 3 0 21 - 34
Western Carolina 10 3 10 14 - 37


Well, it was an exciting finish, even if we ended up on the wrong end of it.

Our offense clicked as we would have wanted - 320 rushing yards on only 38 carries for an 8.4 average. No sacks. 9-16 for 123 passing. We lost three fumbles, but came up with three picks in return.

Gunn went for 155, Humphrey for 107; Shannon for 18 on 3 carries. Robertson caught 6 balls for 98 yards and a touchdown - this is the right breakdown, I like where our offense is. The fumbles were twice by Robertson and once by Gunn.

Defensively, we gave up nearly 500 yards, split rushing and passing; plus those three interceptions. Their top running back went for 159 and 2 scores no 29 carries, which hurt us the most.


Visiting Players
QB O.J. Bradley is visiting. He is no longer visiting Vanderbilt, but has been contacted by Memphis and Louisiana-Monroe.
QB Carl Jennings is visiting. He also is visiting (and has offers from) Clemson, Fresno State, LSU, and Texas.
RB D.J. Kilgore is visiting. He is also visiting (and has offers from) Arizona State and Washington. He has been contacted by Minnesota, North Carolina State, and Purdue.
RB Dean Boyles is visiting. He is also visiting (and has offers from) Tulane and Utah State. He has been contacted by Bowling Green, California, and Houston.
WR Randall Singleton is visiting. He is also visiting (and has offers from) Elon, Furman, Western Carolina, and Wofford.
DE Leroy Hoyle is visiting. No other teams have contacted Hoyle.
DE Sammie Vance is visiting. He is also visiting (and has offers from) Alabama, Auburn, and New Mexico State, and has been contacted by Georgia.
DT Eddie Nabonsa is visiting. No other teams have contacted Nabonsa.
DT Marvin Clifford is visiting. He is also visiting UNLV and has an offer from them. He has been contacted by Alabama, Arkansas State, Boston College, Fresno State, Kansas State, Miami (FL), Notre Dame, and Penn State.
DT Walter Price is visiting. No other teams have contacted Price.
ILB Emmitt Terrell is visiting. No other teams have contacted Emmitt.
ILB Darrin Morris is visiting. No other teams have contacted Morris.
OLB Rodney Kelly is visiting. No other teams have contacted Kelly.
OLB Claude Lavender is visiting. No other teams have contacted Lavender.
CB Byron Laroche is visiting. No other teams have contacted Laroche.
CB Johnny Stauffer is visiting. No other teams have contacted Stauffer.
CB Jackie Kaplan is visiting. No other teams have contacted Jackie.
CB Bernie Timberlane is visiting. He has been contacted by Arizona State, East Carolina, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, San Diego State, and Syracuse.
S Eric Darius is visiting. No other teams have contacted Darius.

First Time Home Visit
RB D.J. Kilgore
Impression: Much Better than Scouted

DE Sammie Vance
Impression: Worse than Scouted

DT Marvin Clifford
Impression: Worse than Scouted

CB Bernie Timberlane
Impression: Worse than Scouted

[Celeval]

Midseason Report

Coaches' Poll
1. Miami (FL) (6-0)
2. Nebraska (6-0)
3. Georgia (5-0)
4. Ohio State (6-0)
5. Tennessee (5-0)
6. Notre Dame (6-0)
7. Virginia Tech (5-0)
8. Florida State (5-1)
9. Oregon (5-0)
10. Auburn (5-0)
11. Kansas State (6-0)
12. Clemson (4-0)
13. Oklahoma (4-1)
14. Utah (5-0)
15. Texas A&M (4-1)
16. Oregon State (4-1)
17. USC (3-2)
18. Penn State (5-1)
19. Michigan (4-2)
20. Washington State (5-1)
21. Boston College (5-1)
22. New Mexico State (5-0)
23. Wisconsin (4-1)
24. Florida (3-2)
25. Boise State (4-1)

Fan's Poll
1. Virginia Tech (5-0)
2. Miami (FL) (6-0)
3. Auburn (5-0)
4. Ohio State (6-0)
5. Nebraska (6-0)
6. Tennessee (5-0)
7. Notre Dame (6-0)
8. Oregon (5-0)
9. Georgia (5-0)
10. Clemson (4-0)
11. Kansas State (6-0)
12. Florida State (5-1)
13. Oklahoma (4-1)
14. Utah (5-0)
15. Michigan (4-2)
16. Washington State (5-1)
17. Texas A&M (4-1)
18. Oregon State (4-1)
19. Boston College (5-1)
20. Louisville (5-1)
21. Penn State (5-1)
22. Boise State (4-1)
23. Wisconsin (4-1)
24. New Mexico State (5-0)
25. USC (3-2)

BCS Rankings
1. Miami (FL) (6-0)
2. Georgia (5-0)
3. Oregon (5-0)
4. Tennessee (5-0)
5. Nebraska (6-0)
6. Ohio State (6-0)
7. Notre Dame (6-0)
8. Virginia Tech (5-0)
9. Kansas State (6-0)
10. Auburn (5-0)

Top Five Passing Leaders (by QB Rating)
QB Rodney Gary (KSST): 211.4 (1244 yards, 14 TD, 3 Int)
QB Anthony Peterson (TXCH): 194.8 (1324 yards, 15 TD, 2 Int)
QB Fernando Cheever (ND): 193.7 (2124 yards, 29 TD, 5 Int)
QB Chuck Brandon (ORST): 180.0 (1082 yards, 12 TD, 5 Int)
QB Alvin Sullivan (OREG): 173.4 (1505 yards, 17 TD, 3 Int)

Top Five Rushing Leaders (by Yards)
RB Ben Barber (FSU): 1007 yards, 12 TD
RB Otis Greene (UTAH): 833 yards, 12 TD
RB Brock Widell (KSST): 814 yards, 7 TD
RB Nathan Rose (IOWA): 787 Yards, 8 TD
RB Dwayne Bailey (VATC): 749 yards, 10 TD

Top Five Receiving Leaders (by Yards)
WR Billy Tucker (SFLA): 702 yards, 9 TD
WR Jorge Connres (ND): 675 yards, 10 TD
WR Ryan Stillwell (WAST): 623 yards, 3 TD
WR Donnell Turner (WASH): 590 yards, 5 TD
WR Jessie Hughes (ND): 586 yards, 7 TD

Appalachian State Summary


The College Years
2005 Summary for Appalachian State

Record: 1-4
Rank: 98

Appalachian State Team Rank
Rushes 201 47
Rushing Yards 939 30
Yards Per Carry 4.67 19
Pass Attempts 95 119
Completions 45 124
Passing Yards 573 121
Yards Per Attempt 6.03 92 (T)
3rd Down Conversions 33.3 75 (T)
Points Per Game 17.0 96 (T)
Turnovers 14 92 (T)
Turnover Margin -4 92 (T)

Opponents Team Rank
Rushes 192 71
Rushing Yards 982 100
Yards Per Carry 5.11 110 (T)
Pass Attempts 126 17 (T)
Completions 72 32 (T)
Passing Yards 987 44
Yards Per Attempt 7.83 87
3rd Down Conversions 44.6 107
Points Per Game 30.8 85 (T)
Turnovers 10 62 (T)

Primary Formation: Wishbone Formation

Week Team Versus Oppnt
1 7 at CMIC (64) 20
3 3 at KSST (11) 59
4 7 at MICH (19) 38
5 34 ELON (110) 0
7 34 at WCAR (115) 37
9 CITD (96)
10 at CHAT (73)
11 FRMN (91)
12 GASO (120)
13 at WFRD (112)
14 at AKRN (118)

Passing Pos Att Comp Yards Y/Att TD Int
10 Shannon QB 79 41 550 6.96 4 2
1 Rudebusch QB 16 4 23 1.43 0 4
Team --- 95 45 573 6.03 4 6

Rushing Pos Att Yards Y/Att TD Stff YdLst
42 Gunn RB 73 442 6.05 3 9 17
33 Humphrey RB 51 325 6.37 0 15 9
10 Shannon QB 44 44 1.00 1 18 71
46 Horn FB 11 32 2.90 0 1 0
Team --- 201 939 4.67 5 48 115

Receiving Pos Targ Catch Yards Y/Ctc YAC TD
84 Robertson WR 42 15 251 16.7 78 1
85 Fox TE 13 8 81 10.1 30 1
4 Moore WR 10 4 54 13.5 11 0
38 Clinton RB 7 4 21 5.2 24 1
33 Humphrey RB 6 4 83 20.7 6 1
20 Newsome FB 6 4 30 7.5 22 0
42 Gunn RB 5 2 8 4.0 5 0
Team --- 95 45 573 12.7 186 4

Defense Pos Tack Asst Sack TFL Ints Defn
90 Gaines DE 31 7 1.0 9 0 0
21 Guido S 24 7 0.0 2 2 2
36 Fisk S 21 8 0.0 2 0 0
56 Hitchcock ILB 20 8 0.0 3 2 2
49 Olsen OLB 20 7 0.0 3 0 3
59 Reid ILB 14 8 0.0 2 0 1
43 Flynn OLB 11 2 4.0 4 0 1
44 Davis S 11 7 0.0 1 0 0
93 Batten DE 10 0 1.0 1 0 1
92 Todd DE 10 2 0.0 2 0 0
25 Emmons CB 10 7 0.0 2 2 0
35 Calloway CB 10 2 0.0 0 0 0
99 Hitchcock DE 9 1 0.0 0 0 0
30 Andrews CB 8 7 0.0 0 0 1
96 Pereira DT 7 0 1.0 1 0 0
27 Meeber S 7 3 0.0 2 0 0
47 Brooks ILB 6 1 0.0 0 0 0
26 Alcott S 6 0 0.0 0 0 0
39 Downey CB 5 3 0.0 0 0 1
Team --- 283 88 8.0 36 6 15

[Celeval]

Week Eight Results

Games
TV1: #12 Clemson 23, #7 Virginia Tech 20
TV2: #13 Oklahoma 56, #28 Texas 10
TV3: #2 Nebraska 17, #44 Iowa State 14
TV3: #10 Auburn 38, #43 Arkansas 7
TV3: #26 LSU 43, #27 Mississippi 21
TV4: Colorado 13, #11 Kansas State 59
TV4: #48 Texas Tech 0, #15 Texas A&M 35
TV4: #21 Boston College 28, Pittsburgh 31
TV4: Toledo 7, #47 Miami (OH) 19
TV4: #40 Arkansas State 24, #22 New Mexico State 30
TV5: #8 Florida State 24, #41 Georgia Tech 14
TV5: #24 Florida 19, #42 South Carolina 17
TV5: #5 Tennessee 45, Kentucky 0
TV5: Vanderbilt 0, #3 Georgia 46
TV5: Air Force 3, #29 Colorado State 38
TV5: #14 Utah 35, Wyoming 19
TV5: Central Florida 28, Central Michigan 42

Southern Conference
Western Carolina 3, Chattanooga 51
Furman 31, The Citadel 21
Elon 20, Georgia Southern 27

We have a bye week.

New Commitments
QB Carl Jennings will attend Texas next season.
C Emmitt Alston will attend Kent State next season.
DT Marvin Clifford will attend UNLV next season.

QB O.J. Bradley (100th QB nationally, 38th player in GA, 3rd QB in GA) has committed to Appalachian State!
RB Dean Boyles (915th player nationally, 76th RB nationally, 23rd player in WA, 2nd RB in WA) has committed to Appalachian State!
ILB Darrin Morris (61st player in TN, 4th ILB in TN) has committed to Appalachian State!
CB Jackie Kaplan (8th CB in PA) has committed to Appalachian State!

Still nine spots remaining for 13 outstanding offers.

Visiting Players
RB D.J. Kilgore is visiting. He is also visiting (and has received offers from) Arizona State, Iowa, and Washington. He has been contacted by Miami (OH), Minnesota, North Carolina State, Pittsburgh, and Purdue.
WR Randall Singleton is visiting. He is also visiting (and has received offers from) Elon, Furman, Western Carolina, and Wofford.
DE Leroy Hoyle is visiting. We are the only team to have contacted Hoyle.
DE Sammie Vance is visiting. He is also visiting (and has received offers from) Alabama, Auburn, New Mexico State, and Virginia Tech.
DT Eddie Nabonsa is visiting. We are the only team to have contacted Nabonsa.
DT Walter Price is visiting. We are the only team to have contacted Price.
ILB Emmitt Terrell is visiting. We are the only team to have contacted Terrell.
OLB Rodney Kelly is visiting. We are the only team to have contacted Kelly.
OLB Claude Lavender is visiting. We are the only team to have contacted Lavender.
CB Johnny Stauffer is visiting. We are the only team to have contacted Stauffer.
CB Byron Laroche is visiting. We are the only team to have contacted Laroche.
CB Bernie Timberlane is visiting. He has been contacted by Arizona State, East Carolina, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, San Diego State, and Syracuse.
S Eric Darius is visiting. We are the only team to have contacted Darius.

[Celeval]

Week Nine Results

Games
TV1: #3 Georgia 7, #9 Auburn 34
TV2: #12 Oklahoma 39, #2 Nebraska 41
TV3: #15 Texas A&M 24, #10 Kansas State 31
TV3: #20 USC 48, #19 Washington State 24
TV3: #25 Colorado State 24, #14 Utah 31
TV4: #17 Michigan 8, #28 Minnesota 31
TV4: #18 Penn State 0, #31 Wisconsin 23
TV4: #35 Texas 38, Missouri 10
TV4: #42 Stanford 31, #8 Oregon 45
TV4: #37 Miami (OH) 45, Ohio 19
TV5: North Carolina State 0, #6 Florida State 26
TV5: #44 Iowa State 17, Oklahoma State 20
TV5: #29 Alabama 34, Vanderbilt 27
TV5: #34 Mississippi 37, #47 South Carolina 35
TV5: #50 Marshall 10, Central Florida 33
TV5: Ball State 35, Eastern Michigan 30
TV5: #22 New Mexico State 34, Troy 7

Southern Conference
Chattanooga 24, Elon 17
Wofford 17, Western Carolina 34

The Citadel (2-5) at Appalachian State (1-4)
Line: Appalachian State by 7

Offense: Power-I Formation (6 years)
Best Offensive Player: RB Omar Linquist, Junior (27/27)
Best Defensive Player: CB Lester Wagner, Senior (32/33)

The Citadel Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 245-688, 2.79 ypc (88th)
Passing Offense: 87-184, 1221 yards (70th)
Points Per Game: 19.8 (88th)
Rushing Defense: 288-1461, 5.07 ypc (120th)
Passing Defense: 95-167, 1278 yards (50th)
PPG Allowed: 30.5 (87th)

Appalachian State Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 201-939, 4.67 ypc (55th)
Passing Offense: 45-95, 573 yards (125th)
Points Per Game: 17.0 (100th)
Rushing Defense: 192-982, 5.11 ypc (77th)
Passing Defense: 72-126, 987 yards (13th)
PPG Allowed: 30.8 (88th)

Injuries
G Lester Grenier, Out 14 weeks
FB Ernie Horn, Out 10 weeks
ILB Richie Brooks, Out 7 weeks
RB Grant Gunn, Probable 1 week

Gunn will be playing.



Box Score: The Citadel at Appalachian State
Appalachian State, NC.

Week 9, 2005

Attendance: 12,400 (20,400).


Weather: 74 degrees, fair.

1Q: 07:55 APST - Donovan Moore 2 pass from Otis Shannon.
1Q: 07:55 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
2Q: 14:08 CITD - Morris Lyon 3 pass from Joe Jankowski.
2Q: 14:08 CITD - Stephen Stewart extra point.
2Q: 12:21 APST - Eddie Robertson 55 pass from Otis Shannon.
2Q: 12:21 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
2Q: 02:30 APST - Jimmie Fox 3 pass from Otis Shannon.
2Q: 02:30 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
3Q: 05:13 APST - Emmanuel Lyons 36 field goal.
4Q: 12:03 CITD - Duane Palmer 24 pass from Joe Jankowski.
4Q: 12:03 CITD - Stephen Stewart extra point.

Game MVP: APST 10 Otis Shannon

The Citadel 0 7 0 7 - 14
Appalachian State 7 14 3 0 - 24


I admit to some surprise that we threw for three touchdowns out of this offense. That said, no complaints at all. We rushed 51 times for 239 yards, completed 12 of 18 for 174, those three scores, and a pick; while holding the ball for 15 minutes longer than The Citadel (37:26 to 22:34). Defensively, 70 on the ground and 140 through the air. Gunn had another 150+ yard day, while Shannon rushed 14-36 after sacks (12-49 before).

The area to work on - we had 2 TDs and 1 FG in the red zone, out of 5 trips. We had one missed field goal and another fumble.



New Commitments
WR Randall Singleton (38th player in NC, 5th WR in NC) has committed to Appalachian State!
DT Walter Price (97th player in IL, 7th DT in IL) has committed to Appalachian State!
OLB Rodney Kelly (34th player in WI, 5th OLB in WI) has committed to Appalachian State!
S Eric Darius (19th S in CA) has committed to Appalachian State!

We knew we would have a good shot at Darius, since he wanted to get as far away from California as possible... and Boone, NC is as far different from Long Beach as you can get. :) We think he'll be a pretty decent player for us despite the low ranking - we scouted him at 40 (never had a home visit, so don't know how accurate that is), and he averaged better than an interception per game his senior season.

5 slots left in the recruiting class, and 9 scholarship offers out. Two of the offers have us up against big-name schools and I don't expect to come out on top of those; but I'd not be surprised to see any of the other seven commit.

Visiting Players
RB D.J. Kilgore is visiting. He is also visiting (and has offers from) Arizona State, Iowa, Purdue, and Washington.
DE Leroy Hoyle is visiting. No other teams have contacted Hoyle.
DE Sammie Vance is visiting. He is also visiting (and has offers from) Alabama, Auburn, New Mexico State, and Virginia Tech.
DT Eddie Nabonsa is visiting. No other teams have contacted Nabonsa.
ILB Emmitt Terrell is visiting. No other teams have contacted Emmitt.
OLB Claude Lavender is visiting. No other teams have contacted Lavender.
CB Byron Laroche is visiting. No other teams have contacted Laroche.
CB Johnny Stauffer is visiting. No other teams have contacted Stauffer.
CB Bernie Timberlane is visiting. He has been contacted by Arizona State, East Carolina, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, San Diego State, and Syracuse.

[Celeval]

Week Ten Results

Coaches' Poll
1. Miami (FL) (7-0)
2. Nebraska (8-0)
3. Ohio State (7-0)
4. Tennessee (7-0)
5. Florida State (7-1)
6. Notre Dame (7-0)
7. Oregon (7-0)
8. Auburn (7-0)
9. Georgia (6-1)
10. Kansas State (8-0)

Fan's Poll
1. Auburn (7-0)
2. Miami (FL) (7-0)
3. Nebraska (8-0)
4. Ohio State (7-0)
5. Tennessee (7-0)
6. Notre Dame (7-0)
7. Oregon (7-0)
8. Clemson (6-0)
9. Kansas State (8-0)
10.Florida State (7-1)

BCS Rankings
1. Oregon (7-0)
2. Nebraska (8-0)
3. Miami (FL) (7-0)
4. Auburn (7-0)
5. Tennessee (7-0)

Southern Conference Standings
1. Chattanooga (5-3, 4-0)
2. Furman (3-3, 3-0)
3. Appalachian State (2-4, 2-1)
4. Western Carolina (2-5, 2-2)
5. Wofford (1-6, 1-2)
6. Georgia Southern (1-5, 1-2)
7. The Citadel (2-6, 1-3)
8. Elon (1-7, 0-4)

Games
TV1: #10 Kansas State 24, #2 Nebraska 27
TV2: #4 Tennessee 17, #19 Florida 45
TV3: #12 Virginia Tech 9, #1 Miami (FL) 38
TV3: #8 Auburn 55, #31 Mississippi 3
TV3: #17 New Mexico State 14, #47 North Texas 26
TV4: #3 Ohio State 42, #25 Penn State 28
TV4: #39 Syracuse 0, #46 Pittsburgh 41
TV4: #41 Washington 25, #15 USC 42
TV4: #20 LSU 31, #27 Alabama 21
TV4: Air Force 54, #13 Utah 22
TV5: #30 Virginia 20, #11 Clemson 48
TV5: Oklahoma State 0, #21 Texas A&M 38
TV5: #50 Texas Tech 6, #16 Oklahoma 38
TV5: #23 Louisville 23, Tulane 8
TV5: Hawaii 3, #18 Boise State 44
TV5: Central Michigan 10, Ball State 28

Southern Conference
Western Carolina 34, Elon 14
Wofford 24, Furman 27
The Citadel 13, Georgia Southern 41

Appalachian State (2-4) at Chattanooga (5-3)
Line: Chattanooga by 2
Television: TV5

Offense: Wing-T Formation (1 year)
Best Offensive Player: FB Brady Jefferson, RS-Senior (50/67)
Best Defensive Player: S Wes Cook, Senior (36/36)

Appalachian State Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 252-1178, 4.67 ypc (35th)
Passing Offense: 57-113, 747 yards (124th)
Points Per Game: 18.1 (92nd)
Rushing Defense: 212-1052, 4.96 ypc (71st)
Passing Defense: 84-154, 1130 yards (12th)
PPG Allowed: 28.0 (75th)

Chattanooga Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 343-1705, 4.97 ypc (7th)
Passing Offense: 112-183, 1208 yards (92nd)
Points Per Game: 30.6 (37th)
Rushing Defense: 250-990, 3.96 ypc (64th)
Passing Defense: 133-256, 1647 yards (85th)
PPG Allowed: 21.1 (38th)

Injuries
RB Grant Gunn - Probable, Unknown (Severe Depression)
G Lester Grenier - Out, 13 weeks
FB Ernie Horn - Out, 9 weeks
ILB Richie Brooks - Out, 6 weeks
DE Nolan DeWolf - Probable, 3 weeks

Gunn stays in the lineup.



Box Score: Appalachian State at Chattanooga
Chattanooga, NC.

Week 10, 2005

Attendance: 19,000 (26,100).


Weather: 47 degrees, rain.

1Q: 05:43 CHAT - Greg Watt 35 field goal.
1Q: 03:41 CHAT - Kelvin Dymkoski 9 pass from Troy Frederick.
1Q: 03:41 CHAT - Greg Watt extra point.
2Q: 09:49 CHAT - Brandon Woodard 3 run.
2Q: 09:49 CHAT - Greg Watt extra point.
2Q: 03:28 CHAT - Kelvin Dymkoski 13 run.
2Q: 03:28 CHAT - Greg Watt extra point.
2Q: 01:16 CHAT - Brandon Woodard 9 run.
2Q: 01:16 CHAT - Greg Watt extra point.
3Q: 11:39 CHAT - Greg Watt 27 field goal.
3Q: 08:02 APST - Emmanuel Lyons 27 field goal.
3Q: 06:07 CHAT - Brandon Woodard 21 run.
3Q: 06:07 CHAT - Greg Watt extra point.
3Q: 01:00 APST - Norm Forbes 2 pass from Doug Rudebusch.
3Q: 01:00 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
4Q: 05:30 APST - Doug Rudebusch 5 run.
4Q: 05:30 APST - Glen Humphrey run for conversion failed.
4Q: 00:42 CHAT - Greg Watt 36 field goal.

Game MVP: CHAT 57 Kenny Robertson

Appalachian State 0 0 10 6 - 16
Chattanooga 10 21 10 3 - 44

Chattanooga certainly has our number. They played our game better than we did - 286 rushing yards, and 9/15 passing for 130 (we were 184, 11/20 - 117). Gunn did alright, with less work than we've been giving him (12-71), Shannon threw two picks; and we did poorly enough to get Rudebusch into the game. He finally played well, though, rushing for one touchdown, and throwing for another (3-3, 43 yards, TD).


New Commitments
DT Eddie Nabonsa (15th DT in NY) has committed to Appalachian State!

Things are getting tight with four spots left. We may have lost our shot at Timberlane, as the big boys finally got around to making some offers; but here's hoping - he claims to want solid Academics, and if that holds true it's either us or Michigan State.

Visiting Players
RB D.J. Kilgore is visiting. He is also visiting (and has offers to) Arizona State, Iowa, Purdue, and Washington.
DE Leroy Hoyle is visiting. We are the only team to have contacted Hoyle.
DE Sammie Vance is visiting. He is also visiting (and has offers to) Alabama, Auburn, New Mexico State, and Virginia Tech.
ILB Emmitt Terrell is visiting. We are the only team to have contacted Terrell.
OLB Claude Lavender is visiting. We are the only team to have contacted Lavender.
CB Johnny Stauffer is visiting. We are the only team to have contacted Stauffer.
CB Byron Laroche is visiting. We are the only tema to have contacted Laroche.
CB Bernie Timberlane is visiting. He is also visiting (and has offers to) Auburn, East Carolina, Michigan State, and Oregon State.

[Celeval]

Week Eleven Results

Coaches' Poll
1. Miami (FL) (8-0)
2. Nebraska (9-0)
3. Ohio State (8-0)
4. Notre Dame (8-0)
5. Florida State (8-1)
6. Oregon (8-0)
7. Auburn (8-0)
8. Georgia (7-1)
9. Clemson (7-0)
10. Tennessee (7-1)

Fan's Poll
1. Miami (FL) (8-0)
2. Auburn (8-0)
3. Nebraska (9-0)
4. Ohio State (8-0)
5. Notre Dame (8-0)
6. Oregon (8-0)
7. Clemson (7-0)
8. Florida State (8-1)
9. Tennessee (7-1)
10. Georgia (7-1)

BCS Rankings
1. Nebraska (9-0)
2. Miami (FL) (8-0)
3. Auburn (8-0)
4. Notre Dame (8-0)
1. Oregon (8-0)

Southern Conference Standings
1. Chattanooga (6-3, 5-0)
2. Furman (4-3, 4-0)
3. Western Carolina (3-5, 3-2)
4. Appalachian State (2-5, 2-2)
5. Georgia Southern (2-5, 2-2)
6. Wofford (1-7, 1-3)
7. The Citadel (2-7, 1-4)
8. Elon (1-8, 0-5)

Games
TV1: #5 Florida State 16, #1 Miami (FL) 42
TV2: #25 Wisconsin 34, #3 Ohio State 31
TV3: #11 Oregon State 28, #23 Washington State 32
TV3: #10 Tennessee 10, #19 LSU 35
TV3: Central Florida 28, #31 Miami (OH) 38
TV4: #30 West Virginia 24, #27 Boston College 14
TV4: #17 Florida 33, #35 Alabama 20
TV4: Alabama-Birmingham 17, #32 TCU 48
TV4: #15 Boise State 44, Louisiana Tech 7
TV4: Idaho 16, #26 New Mexico State 35
TV5: #34 Illinois 17, #33 Penn State 20
TV5: #24 Minnesota 48, Indiana 7
TV5: Wyoming 20, #49 Air Force 51
TV5: Bowling Green 6, #41 Nothern Illinois 21
TV5: Toledo 30, Central Michigan 23
TV5: Utah State 22, #40 Arkansas State 34

Southern Conference
Elon 21, Wofford 25
Georgia Southern 24, Western Carolina 28

Furman (4-3) at Appalachian State (2-5)
Line: Furman by 6
Television: TV5

Offense: Single-Back Formation (1 year)
Best Offensive Player: FB Andre Buchanan, Senior (45/45)
Best Defensive Player: DE Wally Foley, RS-Junior (34/59)

Furman Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 228-860, 3.77 ypc (92nd)
Passing Offense: 138-248, 1552 yards (73rd)
Points Per Game: 22.5 (76th)
Rushing Defense: 251-1145, 4.56 ypc (95th)
Passing Defense: 102-189, 1206 yards (6th)
PPG Allowed: 30.4 (86th)

Appalachian State Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 289-1362, 4.71 ypc (37th)
Passing Offense: 68-133, 864 yards (124th)
Points Per Game: 17.8 (94th)
Rushing Defense: 256-1338, 5.24 ypc (88th)
Passing Defense: 93-169, 1260 yards (10th)
PPG Allowed: 30.2 (85th)

Injuries
RB Grant Gunn - Probable, Unknown (Severe Depression)
G Lester Grenier - Out, 12 weeks
FB Ernie Horn - Out, 8 weeks
ILB Richie Brooks - Doubtful, 4 weeks
DE Nolan DeWolf - Probable, 1 weeks

Gunn stays in the lineup.



Box Score: Furman at Appalachian State
Appalachian State, NC.

Week 11, 2005

Attendance: 13,000 (20,400).


Weather: 50 degrees, rain.

1Q: 08:14 APST - Donovan Moore 27 pass from Otis Shannon.
1Q: 08:14 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
1Q: 02:08 FRMN - Bryce Dunn 3 run.
1Q: 02:08 FRMN - Earnest Cochrane extra point.
2Q: 12:39 FRMN - Earnest Cochrane 23 field goal.
2Q: 01:52 FRMN - Earnest Cochrane 33 field goal.
4Q: 05:08 APST - Grant Gunn 19 run.
4Q: 05:08 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
4Q: 00:28 FRMN - Earnest Cochrane 30 field goal.

Game MVP: FRMN 51 Reuben Schneider

Furman 7 6 0 3 - 16
Appalachian State 7 0 0 7 - 14


A better game by the defense, but we couldn't hang onto the ball long enough to win it. Only 130 yards rushing, and despite a quality 19-yard touchdown by Gunn to give us the lead late in the fourth, he only ended up with 69 yards on 20 carries. We may need to sit him if he's still Probable next time.

The Chattanooga loss already pretty much ended our season, but this does it for certain - if we win out (and we do play a pretty weak schedule remaining), we still can't make it back to .500.


New Commitments
DE Sammie Vance will be attending Auburn next season.

DE Leroy Hoyle (10th DE in NJ) has committed to Appalachian State!
CB Johnny Stauffer (96th player in FL, 6th CB in FL) has committed to Appalachian State!

Down to two open spots in the class. Our preferred order of players at this point is:

RB D.J. Kilgore
CB Bernie Timberlane
OLB Claude Lavender
CB Byron Laroche
ILB Emmitt Terrell

We're still the only competition for Lavender and Laroche - I'm going to sadly pull the offer from Terrell to make sure we get two of our top four.

Visiting Players
RB D.J. Kilgore is visiting. He is also visiting (and has offers to) Arizona State, Iowa, Purdue, and Washington.
OLB Claude Lavender is visiting. We are the only team to have contacted Lavender.
CB Byron Laroche is visiting. We are the only tema to have contacted Laroche.
CB Bernie Timberlane is visiting. He is also visiting (and has offers to) Auburn, East Carolina, Michigan State, and Oregon State.

[Celeval]

Week Twelve Results

Coaches' Poll
1. Miami (FL) (9-0)
2. Nebraska (9-0)
3. Notre Dame (8-0)
4. Oregon (9-0)
5. Auburn (8-0)
6. Ohio State (8-1)
7. Georgia (7-1)
8. Clemson (8-0)
9. Florida State (8-2)
10. USC (6-2)

Fan's Poll
1. Miami (FL) (8-0)
2. Auburn (8-0)
3. Nebraska (9-0)
4. Notre Dame (8-0)
5. Oregon (9-0)
6. Clemson (8-0)
7. Ohio State (8-1)
8. Georgia (7-1)
9. Kansas State (8-1)
10. Florida State (8-2)

BCS Rankings
1. Miami (FL) (9-0)
2. Nebraska (9-0)
3. Auburn (8-0)
4. Notre Dame (8-0)
5. Oregon (9-0)

Southern Conference Standings
1. Chattanooga (6-3, 5-0)
2. Furman (5-3, 5-0)
3. Western Carolina (4-5, 4-2)
4. Appalachian State (2-6, 2-3)
5. Wofford (2-7, 2-3)
6. Georgia Southern (2-6, 2-3)
7. The Citadel (2-7, 1-4)
8. Elon (1-9, 0-6)

Games
TV1: #22 Texas A&M, 20 #12 Oklahoma 17
TV2: #45 East Carolina 7, #20 Louisville 34
TV3: #28 West Virginia 34, #42 Syracuse 31
TV3: #47 Arkansas 3, #17 LSU 34
TV3: #41 North Texas 45, #34 Arkansas State 31
TV4: Oklahoma State 10, #27 Texas 24
TV4: Brigham Young 19, #31 Colorado State 14
TV4: Central Michigan 17, #35 Northern Illinois 37
TV4: Navy 7, #3 Notre Dame 64
TV5: #1 Miami (FL) 55, North Carolina State 14
TV5: #23 Michigan 13, #32 Penn State 44
TV5: Iowa State 24, #11 Kansas State 28
TV5: #2 Nebraska 41, Missouri 3
TV5: #7 Georgia 31, South Carolina 7
TV5: Vanderbilt 13, #14 Tennessee 34
TV5: Ball State 14, Western Michigan 62

Southern Conference
Furman 0, #48 Chattanooga 68 [TV4]
Wofford 9, The Citadel 51

Georgia Southern (2-6) at Appalachian State (2-6)
Line: Georgia Southern by 1

Offense: Flexbone Formation (6 years)
Best Offensive Player: QB Kennedy Cobb, Senior (43/61)
Best Defensive Player: S Lewis Welch, Senior (23/28)

Georgia Southern Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 277-1106, 3.99 ypc (71st)
Passing Offense: 105-229, 1611 yards (81st)
Points Per Game: 19.2 (89th)
Rushing Defense: 322-1605, 4.98 ypc (102nd)
Passing Defense: 120-210, 1480 yards (14th)
PPG Allowed: 33.0 (100th)

Appalachian State Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 324-1492, 4.60 ypc (34th)
Passing Offense: 77-151, 995 yards (124th)
Points Per Game: 17.3 (102nd)
Rushing Defense: 288-1422, 4.93 ypc (83rd)
Passing Defense: 118-209, 1575 yards (25th)
PPG Allowed: 28.5 (79th)

Injuries
RB Grant Gunn - Probable, Unknown (Severe Depression)
G Lester Grenier - Out, 11 weeks
FB Ernie Horn - Out, 7 weeks
OLB Leland Flynn - Out, 6 weeks
ILB Richie Brooks - Questionable, 3 weeks

Our season is essentially over, so we're going to sit Gunn this week.



Box Score: Georgia Southern at Appalachian State
Appalachian State, NC.

Week 12, 2005

Attendance: 12,000 (20,400).


Weather: 53 degrees, fair.

1Q: 10:46 APST - Glen Humphrey 3 run.
1Q: 10:46 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
2Q: 14:52 GASO - Tito Sweeney 35 field goal.
2Q: 04:47 APST - Glen Humphrey 17 run.
2Q: 04:47 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
4Q: 09:01 GASO - Duane Schneider 10 pass from Kennedy Cobb.
4Q: 09:01 GASO - Bubba Peoples run for conversion.

Game MVP: APST 65 Victor Dotson

Georgia Southern 0 3 0 8 - 11
Appalachian State 7 7 0 0 - 14


Back on track, although we keep turning the ball over at an alarming rate. 47 carries for 274 yards (5.8 ypc), but two lost fumbles and an interception. Without Gunn, Humphrey did an outstanding job as feature back, with 26 carries for 164 yards and 2 touchdowns. Dotson had 7 key run blocks to earn the POG.



New Commitments
RB D.J. Kilgore (459th player nationally, 36th RB nationally, 10th player in AL, top RB in AL) has committed to Appalachian State!
CB Bryan Laroche (92nd player in OH, 8th CB in OH) has committed to Appalachian State!

Kilgore is the third running back commitment we picked up this season, and all three look to be good, solid players - the top running back in Alabama and Maryland, the the number two back from Washington. I'm exceedingly happy with those players. Of our 16 commitments, 10 ended up on the defensive side; so if any of them can actually play the run, that'll help things out a lot.

That fills our 16-player class.

[Celeval]

Week Thirteen Results

Coaches' Poll
1. Miami (FL) (10-0)
2. Nebraska (10-0)
3. Notre Dame (9-0)
4. Oregon (10-0)
5. Auburn (9-0)
6. Ohio State (9-1)
7. Georgia (8-1)
8. Clemson (9-0)
9. Florida State (9-2)
10. USC (7-2)

Fan's Poll
1. Miami (FL) (10-0)
2. Auburn (9-0)
3. Nebraska (10-0)
4. Notre Dame (9-0)
5. Oregon (10-0)
6. Clemson (9-0)
7. Ohio State (9-1)
8. Georgia (8-1)
9. Kansas State (9-1)
10. Florida State (9-2)

BCS Rankings
1. Miami (FL) (10-0)
2. Oregon (10-0)
3. Nebraska (10-0)
4. Notre Dame (9-0)
5. Auburn (9-0)

Southern Conference Standings
1. Chattanooga (7-3, 6-0)
2. Furman (5-4, 5-1)
3. Western Carolina (4-5, 4-2)
4. Appalachian State (3-6, 3-3)
5. The Citadel (3-7, 2-4)
6. Wofford (2-8, 2-4)
7. Georgia Southern (2-7, 2-4)
8. Elon (1-9, 0-6)

Games
TV1: #15 LSU 43, #5 Auburn 14
TV2: #12 Tennessee 3, #7 Georgia 41
TV3: #33 Pittsburgh 21, #27 West Virginia 6
TV3: #16 Utah 27, #45 BYU 14
TV3: #28 TCU 27, #19 Louisville 17
TV4: #31 Michigan 0, #6 Ohio State 24
TV4: #25 Minnesota 7, #23 Wisconsin 34
TV4: #2 Nebraska 56, Colorado 17
TV4: #10 USC 47, #3 Notre Dame 34
TV5: #32 Northern Illinois 14, Ball State 26
TV5: North Carolina State 28, #8 Clemson 31
TV5: Missouri 10, Iowa State 37
TV5: #21 Washington State 37, Washington 24
TV5: Vanderbilt 0, #13 Florida 34
TV5: #37 Mississippi 7, Arkansas 27
TV5: Fresno State 10, #14 Boise State 37
TV5: Utah State 17, #24 New Mexico State 21

Southern Conference
Western Carolina 9, The Citadel 35
#40 Chattanooga 41, Georgia Southern 7
Elon 31, Furman 41

Appalachian State (3-6) at Wofford (2-8)
Line: Appalachian State by 4

Offense: Power-I Formation (6 years)
Best Offensive Player: FB Calvin Van Valkenberg, RS-Senior (49/49)
Best Defensive Player: CB Pete Stark, Senior (26/32)

Appalachian State Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 371-1765, 4.75 ypc (25th)
Passing Offense: 83-166, 1067 yards (124th)
Points Per Game: 17.0 (103rd)
Rushing Defense: 320-1555, 4.85 ypc (84th)
Passing Defense: 133-233, 1697 yards (17th)
PPG Allowed: 26.5 (67th)

Georgia Southern Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 368-1851, 4.02 ypc (19th)
Passing Offense: 105-229, 1611 yards (81st)
Points Per Game: 21.8 (77th)
Rushing Defense: 403-2332, 5.78 ypc (123rd)
Passing Defense: 161-270, 2053 yards (58th)
PPG Allowed: 35.2 (108th)

Injuries
RB Grant Gunn - Probable, Unknown (Severe Depression)
G Lester Grenier - Out, 10 weeks
FB Ernie Horn - Out, 6 weeks
OLB Leland Flynn - Out, 4 weeks
ILB Richie Brooks - Questionable, 2 weeks

Gunn will continue to sit.



Box Score: Appalachian State at Wofford
Wofford, NC.

Week 13, 2005

Attendance: 13,300 (35,100).


Weather: 56 degrees, fair.

1Q: 10:48 WFRD - Gabe Gore 4 run.
1Q: 10:48 WFRD - Al Barrett extra point.
1Q: 04:18 APST - Otis Shannon 13 run.
1Q: 04:18 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
2Q: 00:00 APST - Emmanuel Lyons 40 field goal.
4Q: 14:55 APST - Emmanuel Lyons 18 field goal.
4Q: 09:27 APST - Horace Clinton 8 run.
4Q: 09:27 APST - Otis Shannon run for conversion failed.
4Q: 02:30 WFRD - Oscar Jung 19 pass from Lawrence Blanchard.
4Q: 02:30 WFRD - Al Barrett extra point.

Game MVP: APST 50 Scott Humphrey

Appalachian State 7 3 0 9 - 19
Wofford 7 0 0 7 - 14


52 carries for 290 yards, led by Humphrey's 18-155; Shannon was an efficient 13 of 16 for 135. Defensively we had some troubles - I think the only reason the score was low was that there was so much time on the ground; we averaged 6.2 yards/play, and Wofford averaged 6.1. Aside from sacks, Shannon ended up with 7 carries for 37 yards and a touchdown.


With a completed draft class, we look at our extra scholarships - K Emmanual Lyons (19-19 PATs, 9-13 FGs) would have earned one, but he's a senior.

[Celeval]

Week Fourteen Results

Coaches' Poll
1. Miami (FL) (11-0)
2. Nebraska (11-0)
3. Oregon (10-0)
4. Ohio State (10-1)
5. Georgia (9-1)
6. Clemson (10-0)
7. Notre Dame (9-1)
8. Florida State (9-2)
9. Auburn (9-1)
10. USC (8-2)

Fan's Poll
1. Miami (FL) (11-0)
3. Nebraska (11-0)
5. Oregon (10-0)
6. Clemson (10-0)
7. Ohio State (10-1)
2. Auburn (9-1)
4. Notre Dame (9-1)
8. Georgia (9-1)
9. Kansas State (10-1)
10. Florida State (10-2)

BCS Rankings
1. Oregon (10-0)
2. Miami (FL) (11-0)
3. Nebraska (11-0)
4. Georgia (9-1)
5. Ohio State (10-1)

Southern Conference Standings
1. Chattanooga (8-3, 7-0)
2. Furman (6-4, 6-1)
3. Western Carolina (4-6, 4-3)
4. Appalachian State (4-6, 4-3)
5. The Citadel (4-7, 3-4)
6. Wofford (2-9, 2-5)
7. Georgia Southern (2-8, 2-5)
8. Elon (1-10, 0-7)

Games
TV1: #25 Texas 27, #17 Texas A&M 24
TV2: #12 Florida 7, #8 Florida State 35
TV3: #3 Oregon 42, #18 Oregon State 14
TV3: #5 Georgia 26, #41 Georgia Tech 10
TV3: #7 Notre Dame 49, #31 Boston College 24
TV4: #6 Clemson 0, South Carolina 24
TV4: #29 West Virginia 52, Ohio 14
TV4: #10 USC 34, #48 UCLA 7
TV4: Alabama 10, #9 Auburn 38
TV4: #14 Utah 27, Utah State 7
TV5: #16 Virginia Tech 27, #42 Virginia 13
TV5: #23 Oklahoma 31, Oklahoma State 14
TV5: Cinicnnati 15, #27 Miami (OH) 45
TV5: Southern Mississippi 23, South Florida 28
TV5: #13 Boise State 56, Idaho 13
TV5: SMU 7, #24 TCU 49
TV5: Western Michigan 3, Bowling Green 29

Southern Conference
Western Carolina 10,. Rutgers 35
Furman 21, Middle Tennessee State 35
Georgia Southern 0, Syracuse 62

Appalachian State (4-6) at Akron (0-10)
Line: Appalachian State by 6

Offense: Run and Shoot Formation (6 years)
Best Offensive Player: TE Walt Mueting, Senior (44/65)
Best Defensive Player: DT Stan Bruce, RS-Junior (45/45)

Appalachian State Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 423-2055, 4.85 ypc (15th)
Passing Offense: 96-182, 1202 yards (123rd)
Points Per Game: 17.2 (103rd)
Rushing Defense: 356-1757, 4.93 ypc (86th)
Passing Defense: 144-253, 1840 yards (13th)
PPG Allowed: 25.3 (59th)

Akron Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 222-490, 2.20 ypc (125th)
Passing Offense: 195-371, 2319 yards (47th)
Points Per Game: 11.4 (121st)
Rushing Defense: 387-1652, 4.26 ypc (80th)
Passing Defense: 197-322, 2269 yards (65th)
PPG Allowed: 36.0 (110th)

Injuries
RB Grant Gunn - Probable, Unknown (Severe Depression)
G Lester Grenier - Out, 9 weeks
ILB Tony Hitchcock - Out, 8 weeks
FB Ernie Horn - Out, 5 weeks
OLB Leland Flynn - Out, 4 weeks
DT Jessie Springett - Out, 4 weeks
ILB Richie Brooks - Probable, 1 week

Gunn will continue to sit.



Box Score: Appalachian State at Akron
Akron, OH.

Week 14, 2005

Attendance: 21,500 (34,000).


Weather: 47 degrees, stormy.

1Q: 08:58 APST - Jimmie Fox 2 pass from Otis Shannon.
1Q: 08:58 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
1Q: 04:19 AKRN - Adam Cole 38 run.
1Q: 04:19 AKRN - Sherman Weber extra point.
1Q: 00:40 APST - Emmanuel Lyons 31 field goal.
2Q: 12:54 APST - Glen Humphrey 53 run.
2Q: 12:54 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
2Q: 03:16 AKRN - Sherman Weber 43 field goal.
3Q: 11:22 AKRN - Sherman Weber 25 field goal.
3Q: 04:06 APST - Glen Humphrey 12 run.
3Q: 04:06 APST - Emmanuel Lyons extra point.
3Q: 01:54 AKRN - Sherman Weber 44 field goal.
4Q: 13:34 APST - Emmanuel Lyons 23 field goal.
4Q: 09:28 APST - Emmanuel Lyons 24 field goal.

Game MVP: APST 33 Glen Humphrey

Appalachian State 10 7 7 6 - 30
Akron 7 3 6 0 - 16


The first real passing team we face, it's not a surprise Akron runs up nearly 300 yards passing on us. We did come away with two interceptions, however, which was a nice side effect. Humphrey continued to do well in the featured role, with 20 carries for 149 yards and 2 touchdowns. I'm very much looking forward to seeing our freshmen play in this offense.

Shannon wasn't terribly efficient - 6 of 15, 94 yards, a touchdown and two picks. Can't complain too much, though - we pick up a win to end the season on a high note, and some building blocks for next season.

[Celeval]

Conference Championship Week Results

Coaches' Poll
1. Miami (FL) (11-0)
2. Nebraska (11-0)
3. Oregon (11-0)
4. Georgia (10-1)
5. Ohio State (10-1)
6. Florida State (10-2)
7. Notre Dame (10-1)
8. Auburn (10-1)
9. USC (9-2)
10. Kansas State (10-1)

Fan's Poll
1. Miami (FL) (11-0)
2. Nebraska (11-0)
3. Oregon (11-0)
4. Auburn (10-1)
5. Ohio State (10-1)
6. Notre Dame (10-1)
7. Georgia (10-1)
8. Clemson (10-1)
9. Kansas State (10-1)
10. Florida State (10-2)

BCS Rankings
1. Oregon (11-0)
2. Nebraska (11-0)
3. Miami (FL) (11-0)
4. Georgia (10-1)
5. Notre Dame (10-1)

Southern Conference Standings (Final)
1. Chattanooga (8-3, 7-0)
2. Furman (6-5, 6-1)
3. Western Carolina (4-7, 4-3)
4. Appalachian State (5-6, 4-3)
5. The Citadel (4-7, 3-4)
6. Wofford (2-9, 2-5)
7. Georgia Southern (2-9, 2-5)
8. Elon (1-10, 0-7)

Games
TV1: #2 Nebraska 38, #17 Oklahoma 10
TV2: #4 Georgia 24, #15 LSU 21
TV3: #24 Miami (OH) 24, #40 Northern Illinois 21

[Celeval]

Bowl Report

Final BCS Standings
1. Oregon (11-0)
2. Nebraska (12-0)
3. Miami (FL) (11-0)
4. Georgia (11-1)
5. Auburn (10-1)

Minor Bowl Tier
TV1: Motor City Bowl: #22 Texas 35, #23 Miami (OH) 9
TV2: New Orleans Bowl: #32 North Texas 13, #38 Chattanooga 42
TV3: Houston Bowl: #39 Purdue 20, #12 Boise State 0
TV3: Hawaii Bowl: #28 West Virginia 34, #27 Louisville 14
TV3: Humanitarian Bowl: #40 Syracuse 45, #37 Arkansas State 6
TV4: Music City Bowl: #25 Oregon State 48, BYU 14
TV4: Peach Bowl: #50 Stanford 13, #36 Mississippi 41
TV4: Las Vegas Bowl: #30 Boston College 42, #24 New Mexico State 14

Major Bowl Tier
TV1: Gator Bowl: #30 Pittsburgh 10, #21 LSU 24
TV2: Holiday Bowl: #28 Minnesota 41, #31 Colorado State 15
TV3: Alamo Bowl: #32 Penn State 14, #17 Florida 45
TV3: Outback Bowl: #13 Virginia Tech 34, #14 Washington State 21
TV3: Insight.com Bowl: #40 Air Force 18, #45 Northern Illinois 21
TV4: Seattle Bowl: #47 Georgia Tech 28, #20 Tennessee 25
TV4: Liberty Bowl: #48 Virginia 27, #19 TCU 9
TV4: Independence Bowl: #38 Michigan 14, #23 Texas A&M 24

Four-Star Tier
TV1: Rose Bowl: #13 Utah 14, #6 Notre Dame 42
TV2: Capital One Bowl: #22 Oklahoma 28, #9 USC 21
TV3: Sun Bowl: #11 Clemson 33, #10 Kansas State 24
TV3: Cotton Bowl: #7 Florida State 21, #5 Ohio State 17

New Year's Tier
TV1: Orange Bowl: #15 Wisconsin 21, #4 Georgia 28
TV2: Fiesta Bowl: #1 Miami (FL) 27, #7 Auburn 17

Championship Tier
TV1: Sugar Bowl: #2 Nebraska 31, #3 Oregon 12

Congratulations to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, winners of the 2005 National Championship!

Player of the Year Voting:
QB Fernando Cheever, Notre Dame: 252-391, 4007 yards, 50 TD, 12 Ints; 46-(-132)-1 Rushing
QB Bart Bard, Clemson: 255-293, 3405 yards, 39 TDs, 13 Ints; 87-(-63) Rushing
WR Jorge Connors, Notre Dame: 83-1532-24 Receiving
QB Terrance Whiting, Miami (FL): 289-444, 3737 yards, 38 TDs, 14 Ints; 44-(-88) Rushing
QB Ronald Sutton, Miami (OH): 290-452, 3444 yards, 36 TDs, 17 Ints; 84-4-2 Rushing
QB Jared Culbertson, Ohio State: 144-218, 2220 yards, 20 TDs, 7 Ints; 185-638-5 Rushing
RB Sammie Duran, Miami (FL): 212-1189-21 Rushing, 86-822-8 Receiving
QB Roderick Reese, Nebraska: 181-321, 3107 yards, 36 TDs, 12 Ints; 100-57 Rushing
QB Bert Blackburn, Texas A&M: 140-228, 2177 yards, 18 TDs, 8 Ints; 192-678-9 Rushing
RB Otis Greene, Utah: 301-1710-18 Rushing, 38-369-5 Receiving

My vote has to go to Cheever - 4000 yards and 50 touchdowns are far and away better than what anyone else did this (or last) season. The winner (in a closer race than I had thought - over his teammate the WR):

Senior QB Fernando Cheever, Notre Dame

[Celeval]

End of Season Report - National

Coaches' Poll
1. Miami (FL) (12-0)
2. Nebraska (13-0)
3. Georgia (12-1)
4. Florida State (11-2)
5. Notre Dame (11-1)
6. Oregon (11-1)
7. Ohio State (10-2)
8. Clemson (11-1)
9. Virginia Tech (10-2)
10. Auburn (10-2)
11. USC (9-3)
12. Kansas State (10-2)
13. Florida (9-3)
14. Boise State (10-2)
15. LSU (10-3)
16. Texas (9-3)
17. Utah (10-2)
18. Texas A&M (9-3)
19. Oregon State (9-3)
20. Oklahoma (9-4)
21. Washington State (9-3)
22. Wisconsin (9-3)
23. West Virginia (9-3)
24. New Mexico State (10-2)
25. TCU (9-3)

Fan's Poll
1. Miami (FL) (12-0)
2. Nebraska (13-0)
3. Georgia (12-1)
4. Notre Dame (11-1)
5. Oregon (11-1)
6. Clemson (11-1)
7. Florida State (11-2)
8. Virginia Tech (10-2)
9. Auburn (10-2)
10. Ohio State (10-2)
11. Kansas State (10-2)
12. Florida (9-3)
13. USC (9-3)
14. Boise State (10-2)
15. Texas (9-3)
16. Utah (10-2)
17. Minnesota (9-3)
18. Texas A&M (9-3)
19. Oklahoma (9-4)
20. Washington State (9-3)
21. LSU (10-3)
22. Oregon State (9-3)
23. TCU (9-3)
24. Wisconsin (9-3)
25. Louisville (9-3)

Must be a fun time to be on sports radio - for the second straight season, the undefeated winner of the national championship game is voted into second place behind the undefeated winner of another, non-BCS game.

The funny thing is that this year's #2 team is Nebraska - the team which was voted above USC into the #1 spot last season. Payback's a bitch.

For what it's worth, Nebraska is undefeated since the start of the dynasty.

Major Awards
League MVP: QB Fernando Cheever, Notre Dame
Top Offensive Player: QB Fernando Cheever, Notre Dame
Top Defensive Player: ILB Carlos Wilkins, Louisiana-Lafayette
Top Offensive Freshman: RB Tyrone Whitfield, Purdue
Top Defensive Freshman: S Andy Dennis, Baylor

First-Team All-American
QB Fernando Cheever, Notre Dame
RB Sammie Duran, Miami (FL)
FB Steven Bruschi, Ohio State
TE Leon Craig, Kansas State
WR Jorge Connors, Notre Dame
WR Austin Bundy, Wisconsin
OC Ed Fling, Ohio State
OG Dave George, LSU
OG Arnie Aneigh, Florida State
OT Jeffrey Degrange, Colorado State
OT Emmitt Theisen, Florida
P Randy Conarroe, Nebraska
K Eugene Sutter, Oregon
DE Juan Giordano, Georgia
DE Cornelius Thornton, Stanford
DT Everett Cunningham, Oregon
ILB Carlos Wilkins, Louisiana-Lafayette
ILB Van Bennett, Wisconsin
OLB B.J. Lively, Louisville
OLB Jamie Campbell, Alabama
CB Ernest Rodriguez, Clemson
CB Drew Tuttle, Nebraska
S Harold Fox, Louisiana-Lafayette
S Vinny Springer, Michigan

Second-Team All-American
QB Bart Bard, Clemson
RB Otis Greene, Utah
FB J.C. Meyer, Georgia Tech
TE Roderick Rayburn, TCU
WR J.R. Stone, Miami (OH)
WR Hunter Hammond, Kansas State
OC Cornelius Dann, East Carolina
OG Fernando Eden, Colorado State
OG J.R. Peterson, Oregon State
OT Dominic Parker, Texas
OT Lester Jarosek, Georgia Tech
P Dexter Theophilakos, Texas A&M
K Raymond Alexander, Boise State
DE Bryant Derubeis, Kansas State
DE Marshall Paterson, Mississippi
DT William Ruby, Troy
ILB Casey Lyle, Eastern Michigan
ILB Roderick Daubach, Texas Tech
OLB Burt Levens, Iowa State
OLB Chad Bruce, Connecticut
CB Shaun Lane, Arizona State
CB Leonard Patterson, TCU
S Jorge Freedman, Georgia
S T.J. Middleton, Stanford

Freshman All-American
QB Steve Marshall, South Florida
RB Tyrone Whitfield, Purdue
FB Burt Kerr, Wofford
TE Robbie Hardee, The Citadel
WR Ty Greenfield, Illinois
WR Victor Welch, Arkansas State
OC Everett Wright, Boston College
OG Jumbo Kleedtke, Appalachian State
OG Jeffrey Ridder, Boston College
OT Ronald Rivers, Navy
OT Rusty Beckwith, East Carolina
P Max McWilliams, Connecticut
K Dean Berry, Wake Forest
DE Phillip Hansen, Middle Tennessee State
DE Norm Arneson, Cincinnati
DT Hardy Fridlund, Duke
ILB Benjamin Barden, Wofford
ILB Wade Hutton, North Texas
OLB J.C. Green, San Jose State
OLB Shawn Sanford, New Mexico
CB Jerome Adams, UCLA
CB Edgar Blair, Texas A&M
S Andy Dennis, Baylor
S Leroy Adams, Buffao

[Celeval]

End of Season Report - Conference

Southern Conference Standings (Final)
1. Chattanooga (9-3, 7-0)
2. Furman (6-5, 6-1)
3. Western Carolina (4-7, 4-3)
4. Appalachian State (5-6, 4-3)
5. The Citadel (4-7, 3-4)
6. Wofford (2-9, 2-5)
7. Georgia Southern (2-9, 2-5)
8. Elon (1-10, 0-7)

Major Conference Awards
Conference MVP: QB Troy Frederick, Chattanooga
Top Offensive Player: QB Troy Frederick, Chattanooga
Top Defensive Player: ILB Benjamin Barden, Wofford
Top Offensive Freshman: G Jumbo Kleedtke, Appalachian State
Top Defensive Freshman: ILB Benjamin Barden, Wofford

First-Team All-Conference
QB Troy Frederick, Chattanooga
RB Cary Stokes, Western Carolina
FB Brady Jefferson, Chattanooga
TE Robbie Hardee, The Citadel
WR Eddie Robertson, Appalachian State
WR Oscar Jung, Wofford
OC Kenny Robertson, Chattanooga
OG Harris Strayhorn, Chattanooga
OG Jumbo Kleedtke, Appalachian State
OT Ken Boothe, Chattanooga
OT Frank Sprinkle, Wofford
P Tommy Gorchester, Chattanooga
K Greg Watt, Chattanooga
DE Wes Gaines, Appalachian State
DE Richie Johnson, Chattanooga
DT Vernon Adkins, Western Carolina
ILB Benjamin Barden, Wofford
ILB Jorge Smoot, Elon
OLB Jose Hardy, Western Carolina
OLB Ian Horner, The Citadel
CB Lester Wagner, The Citadel
CB Ty Hopkins, Elon
S Wes Cook, Chattanooga
S Luther Page, Chattanooga

Second-Team All-Conference
QB Omar Greene, Furman
RB Brandon Woodard, Chattanooga
FB Burt Kerr, Wofford
TE Rickey Poston, Western Carolina
WR Norman Spielman, Georgia Southern
WR Luke Earl, Georgia Southern
OC Scott Humphrey, Appalachian State
OG Gerald Collons, Georgia Southern
OG Aaron Crews, Wofford
OT Ike Rodriguez, Chattanooga
OT R.J. Harrell, Furman
P Albert Brickner, The Citadel
K Al Barrett, Wofford
DE Dave Hastings, Chattanooga
DE Wally Foley, Furman
DT Oliver Springs, Furman
ILB Jim Okobi, Furman
ILB Trent Poliska, Furman
OLB Troy Holloman, Wofford
OLB Jerome Garcia, Chattanooga
CB James Jefferson, Chattanooga
CB Pete Stark, Wofford
S Herb Summers, The Citadel
S Ray Flynn, Furman

QB Otis Shannon, TE Jimmie Fox, and CB Adrian Calloway have been named to the Southern Conference All-Academic team.

[Celeval]

End of Season Recruiting Report

TCY Today Recruiting Rankings
1. USC
2. Michigan
3. Illinois
4. Penn State
5. UCLA
6. Texas
7. Notre Dame
8. Virginia Tech
9. Washington
10. Virginia

73. Chattanooga
112. Elon
117. Georgia Southern
119. Furman
120. Western Carolina
122. The Citadel
124. Appalachian State
125. Wofford

That hardly seems fair. I thought we had a better class than that.

Top Five Recruits
1. DE Kent Zambrano, Miami (FL)
2. ILB Dan George, Ohio State
3. RB Trevor Shepard, Virginia
4. QB Arnold Howerton, Kentucky
5. QB Julio Fox, Michigan

Appalachian State Recruits
QB O.J. Bradley: 87-175, 1247 yards, 3 TDs, 3 Int; 7-44 Rushing
RB D.J. Kilgore: 229-1241-5 Rushing, 45-808-8 Receiving
RB Mercury Schwartz: 251-1500-17 Rushing, 51-615-5 Receiving; 69 Tackles, 4.0 Sacks
RB Dean Boyles: 227-1229-13 Rushing, 48-670-4 Receiving
WR Randall Singleton: 55-1037-7 Receiving
C Craig Blackburn
DE Leroy Hoyle: 49 Tackles, 4.5 Sacks, 1 Int
DT Walter Price: 53 Tackles, 8.0 Sacks
DT Eddie Nabonsa: 41 Tackles, 3.0 Sacks
ILB Darrin Morris: 83 Tackles, 2.0 Sacks, 2 Int
OLB Rodney Kelly: 77 Tackles, 4.0 Sacks, 2 Int
CB Byron Laroche: 27 Tackles, 2.0 Sacks, 11 Int
CB Johnny Stauffer: 26 Tackles, 1.5 Sacks, 6 Int; 19-79-2 Rushing
CB Jackie Kaplan: 19 Tackles, 0.5 Sacks, 12 Int
S Neil Murray: 52 Tackles 1.0 Sacks, 6 Int; 9-80-1 Receiving
S Eric Darius: 44 Tackles, 2.0 Sacks, 11 Int



The College Years
Recruiting List, Ranking View

Player Pos HT WT ST NRank ByPos StRank ByPos
$$Bradley, O.J. QB 6-2 199 GA --- 100 38 3
**Boyles, Dean RB 5-10 182 WA 915 76 23 2
**Schwartz, Mercury RB 5-9 173 MD 633 51 19 1
Kilgore, D.J. RB 5-10 177 AL 459 36 10 1
$$Singleton, Randall WR 6-1 187 NC --- --- 38 5
$$Blackburn, Craig C 6-6 272 FL --- 56 52 3
##Hoyle, Leroy DE 6-3 218 NJ --- --- --- 10
##Nabonsa, Eddie DT 6-0 233 NY --- --- --- 15
##Price, Walter DT 6-1 233 IL --- --- 97 7
##Morris, Darrin ILB 6-3 219 TN --- --- 61 4
##Kelly, Rodney OLB 5-11 199 WI --- --- 34 5
##Kaplan, Jackie CB 5-11 168 PA --- --- --- 8
##Laroche, Byron CB 6-0 170 OH --- --- 92 8
##Stauffer, Johnny CB 6-0 167 FL --- --- 96 6
$$Darius, Eric S 6-0 176 CA --- --- --- 19
$$Murray, Neil S 6-0 189 NC --- 94 46 2

Player All-St All-US Status
$$Bradley, O.J. No No Committed *
**Boyles, Dean No No Committed *
**Schwartz, Mercury Yes No Committed *
Kilgore, D.J. Yes No Committed *
$$Singleton, Randall No No Committed *
$$Blackburn, Craig No No Committed *
##Hoyle, Leroy No No Committed *
##Nabonsa, Eddie No No Committed *
##Price, Walter No No Committed *
##Morris, Darrin No No Committed *
##Kelly, Rodney No No Committed *
##Kaplan, Jackie No No Committed *
##Laroche, Byron No No Committed *
##Stauffer, Johnny No No Committed *
$$Darius, Eric No No Committed *
$$Murray, Neil Yes No Committed *

[Celeval]

End of Season Report - Appalachian State


The College Years
2005 Summary for Appalachian State

Record: 5-6
Rank: 73

Appalachian State Team Rank
Rushes 470 25
Rushing Yards 2265 12
Yards Per Carry 4.81 7
Pass Attempts 197 124
Completions 102 124
Passing Yards 1296 121
Yards Per Attempt 6.57 78
3rd Down Conversions 31.9 85
Points Per Game 18.3 95
Turnovers 26 89 (T)
Turnover Margin -7 98 (T)

Opponents Team Rank
Rushes 374 36 (T)
Rushing Yards 1839 89
Yards Per Carry 4.91 113
Pass Attempts 304 32
Completions 175 48
Passing Yards 2134 26
Yards Per Attempt 7.01 54 (T)
3rd Down Conversions 38.1 79
Points Per Game 24.4 57 (T)
Turnovers 19 79 (T)

Primary Formation: Wishbone Formation

Week Team Versus Oppnt
1 7 at CMIC (70) 20
3 3 at KSST (12) 59
4 7 at MICH (39) 38
5 34 ELON (120) 0
7 34 at WCAR (99) 37
9 24 CITD (97) 14
10 16 at CHAT (32) 44
11 14 FRMN (65) 16
12 14 GASO (112) 11
13 19 at WFRD (117) 14
14 30 at AKRN (124) 16

Passing Pos Att Comp Yards Y/Att TD Int
10 Shannon QB 178 95 1230 6.91 9 10
Team --- 197 102 1296 6.57 10 14

Rushing Pos Att Yards Y/Att TD Stff YdLst
33 Humphrey RB 141 918 6.51 4 29 20
42 Gunn RB 124 738 5.95 4 17 27
10 Shannon QB 93 165 1.77 2 39 136
38 Clinton RB 51 222 4.35 1 10 7
20 Newsome FB 27 122 4.51 1 4 4
Team --- 470 2265 4.81 13 108 218

Receiving Pos Targ Catch Yards Y/Ctc YAC TD
84 Robertson WR 93 37 616 16.6 169 2
85 Fox TE 32 21 251 11.9 109 3
20 Newsome FB 16 12 99 8.2 44 0
38 Clinton RB 15 8 33 4.1 29 1
4 Moore WR 12 6 83 13.8 47 2
Team --- 197 102 1296 12.7 469 10

Defense Pos Tack Asst Sack TFL Ints Defn
90 Gaines DE 69 21 4.5 16 0 0
36 Fisk S 53 19 0.0 5 1 3
21 Guido S 50 16 0.0 3 3 3
56 Hitchcock ILB 43 12 0.0 7 2 4
49 Olsen OLB 41 15 0.0 7 0 3
59 Reid ILB 36 13 0.0 3 0 2
30 Andrews CB 29 10 0.0 0 0 4
44 Davis S 25 16 0.0 1 0 0
25 Emmons CB 22 15 0.0 3 3 2
35 Calloway CB 21 6 0.0 0 2 3
92 Todd DE 17 5 2.0 5 0 0
43 Flynn OLB 16 4 5.0 5 0 1
96 Pereira DT 15 11 1.5 2 0 0
47 Brooks ILB 11 2 0.0 1 0 1
39 Downey CB 11 3 0.0 0 0 3
Team --- 592 191 18.0 68 11 35


Graduating Seniors
QB Doug Rudebusch: 1 Stoke
RB Horace Clinton: 21 Stokes (3 starts)
FB Jorge Newsome: 30 Stokes (18 starts)
FB Ernie Horn: 4 Stokes (4 starts)
WR Eddie Robertson: 12 Stokes (22 starts) - 2005 SOU 1st Team WR
C Scott humphrey: 4 Stokes (22 starts) - 2005 SOU 2nd Team C
T Marc Butler: 1 Stoke (22 starts)
T J.B. Wilkerson: 0 Stokes (11 starts)
P Gene Shinkle: 0 Stokes - 2004 SOU 2nd Team P
K Cornelius Tongue: 4 Stokes
K Emmanual Lyons: 5 Stokes
DE Nolan DeWolf: 8 Stokes (3 starts)
DE Wes Gaines: 25 Stokes (19 starts) - 2004, 2005 SOU 1st Team DE
DE Emmitt Hitchcock: 5 Stokes (11 starts)
ILB Richie Brooks: 2 Stokes (12 starts)
S Brant Guido: 17 Stokes (22 starts)

End of Season Scoring
Team Performance: 71/100
Academic Performance: 75/100
Recruiting Performance: 96/100
Television Revenus: 71/100
Alumni Donations: 45/100
Attendance/Stadium: 20/100
Final Grade: 61/100

[Celeval]

I think we took a step back this season - although some building blocks were definately put into place. Omar Shannon is set to be solid quarterback for us, and Gunn stepped up as a good, solid number one back. He'll be back next year, fighting off the freshmen. While we were blown out by a national title contender again, it wasn't Michigan - Kansas State was a tough nut to crack this year, and we were closer to Michigan than one would have guessed. I don't think that'll last, though.

We'll see just how good this recruiting class is - I thought it was better than our first season's, but the recruiting mavens disagree.

Looking forward to next season: more running, and (hopefully) more defense!