The Appalachian State Mountaineers secured a 27-24 victory over East Carolina University on the road, extending their win streak against the Pirates to four games. The hard-fought contest at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium marked head coach Dowell Loggains’ first win in the historic rivalry, as the Mountaineers moved to a 2-0 record for the season.
The game began with East Carolina moving the ball on their opening drive with a high-tempo offense, but a 33-yard field goal attempt by kicker Noah Perez missed wide right. Appalachian State’s initial offensive series saw senior quarterback Malachi Singleton connect with sophomore wide receiver Sam Pickett III for a first down, though the drive ultimately ended in a punt.
East Carolina then broke the scoreless tie when quarterback Mitch Griffis found wide receiver Jeremiah Melvin on a 38-yard deep ball, setting up running back Michael Allen for a 2-yard touchdown run, giving the Pirates an early 7-0 lead. The Mountaineers responded on their subsequent drive, with Pickett III hauling in a 34-yard reception that moved them across midfield, culminating in a field goal that narrowed the score to 7-3.
App State quickly capitalized on a turnover to take the lead. Senior defensive lineman Caleb Sandstrom stripped Griffis on the first play of ECU’s next drive, providing the Mountaineers with favorable field position. Singleton then completed the drive with a rushing score. After both teams exchanged punts, ECU running back Ashton Gray broke away for a 45-yard rush into the red zone. The App State defense held firm, forcing a field goal that brought the score to 17-10 at the end of the first half, with the Mountaineers holding the advantage.
The second half began with App State marching efficiently down the field. Fifth-year tight end Darrin Fugitt contributed a 26-yard reception during the drive, which was capped off by a 13-yard rushing touchdown from senior running back Treyaun Webb, extending App State’s lead to 14 points. East Carolina countered with a swift five-play touchdown drive, featuring a 61-yard reception by junior wide receiver Jason Dickerson for a score.
Later in the game, following a 21-yard punt by ECU, the Mountaineers started their drive from the 25-yard line. Senior kicker James London successfully converted his second field goal of the game, increasing App State’s lead to 27-17. The fourth quarter was largely a defensive battle, characterized by four consecutive punts from both teams. However, with just over two minutes remaining and the Pirates down by 10 points, senior defensive back Dre Walker secured a game-sealing interception as ECU was attempting to drive down the field. Despite this, East Carolina managed a late score, with senior wide receiver Ja’Keith Hamilton bringing in a touchdown reception, making it 27-24 with less than 30 seconds left on the clock. The Pirates’ attempt to recover the ensuing onside kick was unsuccessful, allowing App State to secure the victory.
Individually, Malachi Singleton performed well, completing 20 of 28 passes for 267 yards and adding a rushing touchdown. Sophomore running back Jaquari Lewis led the ground attack with 17 carries for 78 yards and one touchdown. On the defensive side, Caleb Sandstrom was a key contributor, recording two sacks and forcing a fumble. Despite the victory, the Mountaineers incurred 13 penalties for 80 yards, an area coach Loggains indicated the team would need to address as the season progresses. Loggains remarked on the team’s mindset, stating, “The gladiators, the great warriors, can control the environment, and our guys played that way.”
The Mountaineers will return to Boone for their next game on Saturday, facing the UNC-Charlotte 49ers at 6 p.m. The game will be available for streaming on ESPN+.
