2019 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team
The 2019 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team represented Appalachian State University during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Mountaineers were led by first-year head coach Eliah Drinkwitz through the team's win in the Sun Belt Conference Championship Game, after which he left to fill the head coaching vacancy at Missouri.[1] Shawn Clark led the team during their bowl game appearance. Appalachian State played their home games at Kidd Brewer Stadium on the school's Boone, North Carolina, campus, and competed as a member of the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference.
2019 Appalachian State Mountaineers football | |
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Sun Belt champion Sun Belt East Division champion New Orleans Bowl champion | |
Sun Belt Championship Game, W 45–38 vs. Louisiana | |
New Orleans Bowl, W 31–17 vs. UAB | |
Conference | Sun Belt Conference |
East Division | |
Ranking | |
Coaches | No. 18 |
AP | No. 19 |
2019 record | 13–1 (7–1 Sun Belt) |
Head coach |
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Defensive coordinator | Ted Roof (1st season) |
Home stadium | Kidd Brewer Stadium (Capacity: 30,000) |
2019 Sun Belt Conference football standings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
East Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 19 Appalachian State x$ | 7 | – | 1 | 13 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia Southern | 5 | – | 3 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia State | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Troy | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coastal Carolina | 2 | – | 6 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
West Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louisiana x | 7 | – | 1 | 11 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arkansas State | 5 | – | 3 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louisiana–Monroe | 4 | – | 4 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Texas State | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Alabama | 1 | – | 7 | 2 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Championship: Appalachian State 45, Louisiana 38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Previous season
The Mountaineers finished the 2018 season 12–1, 7–1 in Sun Belt play to be co-champions of the East Division with Troy. Due to their head-to-head win over Troy, they represented the East Division in the inaugural Sun Belt Championship Game where they defeated West Division champion Louisiana to become Sun Belt Champions for the third consecutive year and first time outright.[2][3] They were invited to the New Orleans Bowl where they defeated Middle Tennessee.[4]
Preseason
Recruiting
The Mountaineers signed 18 recruits.[5]
US college sports recruiting information for 2019 recruits | ||||||
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Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
Brendan Harrington S |
Pittsboro, North Carolina | Northwood | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | Dec 16, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
Jourdan Heilig OLB |
Concord, North Carolina | Concord | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Jun 26, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
Tre Caldwell CB |
Greensboro, North Carolina | Southeast Guilford | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 194 lb (88 kg) | Jun 14, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
Nicholas Ross S |
Marietta, Georgia | Carlton J. Kell | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Jun 19, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
Luke Smith DT |
Lebanon, Tennessee | Friendship Christian | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | Feb 19, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
Dashaun Davis ATH |
Deerfield Beach, Florida | Deerfield Beach | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | Jun 21, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: | ||||||
Ricky Kofoed TE |
Charlotte, North Carolina | Charlotte Christian | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 221 lb (100 kg) | Jul 25, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
Lyle Hiers OT |
Lake Wales, Florida | Lake Wales | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 275 lb (125 kg) | Jun 21, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
Christian Wells WR |
Fort Lauderdale, Florida | University School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Jun 22, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
Milan Tucker CB |
Fort Myers, Florida | Fort Myers | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 163 lb (74 kg) | Jun 25, 2018 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
KeSean Brown OLB |
Bamberg, South Carolina | Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Jan 21, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
Larry Dowdy OT |
Belmont, North Carolina | South Point | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 280 lb (130 kg) | Jan 30, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
David Baldwin QB |
Bradenton, Florida | IMG Academy | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 214 lb (97 kg) | Feb 6, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
Christian Johnstone LS |
Lawrenceville, Georgia | Archer | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 240 lb (110 kg) | Feb 6, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: | ||||||
Craig McFarland OT |
Scottsdale, Arizona | Chaparral | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 275 lb (125 kg) | Feb 6, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
Benjamin Williams ATH |
Charlotte, North Carolina | Charlotte Christian | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Feb 6, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: | ||||||
Emmanuel Jenkins CB |
Canton, Georgia | Sequoyah | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Feb 6, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: | ||||||
Raykwon Anderson CB |
Folkston, Georgia | Charlton County | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 167 lb (76 kg) | Feb 6, 2019 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: 247Sports: 118 | ||||||
Sources:
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Personnel
Coaching staff
Name | Position | Alma Mater | Years at App State |
---|---|---|---|
Eliah Drinkwitz | Head Coach | Arkansas Tech University | 1st |
Ted Roof | Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers | Georgia Institute of Technology | 1st |
Shawn Clark | Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line | Appalachian State University | 4th |
Greg Gasparato | Safeties | Wofford College | 2nd |
Charlie Harbison | Cornerbacks | Gardner–Webb University | 1st |
Erik Link | Special Teams Coordinator | Drake University | 1st |
Garrett Riley | Running Backs | Texas Tech University | 1st |
D. J. Smith | Outside Linebackers | Appalachian State University | 2nd |
Anwar Stewart | Defensive Line | University of Kentucky | 1st |
Pat Washington | Wide Receivers | Auburn University | 1st |
Justin Watts | Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator | Clemson University | 5th |
Roster
2019 Appalachian State Mountaineers football roster | ||||||||||
Quarterback
Running Back
Wide Receiver
Tight End
Placekicker
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Offensive Lineman
Defensive Lineman
Punter
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Linebacker
Defensive Back
Long Snappers
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Source:[6]
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
August 31 | 3:30 p.m. | East Tennessee State* | ESPN+ | W 42–7 | 25,147 | ||
September 7 | 3:30 p.m. | Charlotte* |
| ESPN+ | W 56–41 | 29,182 | |
September 21 | 3:30 p.m. | at North Carolina* | ACCRSN | W 34–31 | 50,500 | ||
September 28 | 3:30 p.m. | Coastal Carolina |
| ESPN+ | W 56–37 | 25,055 | |
October 9 | 8:00 p.m. | at Louisiana | ESPN2 | W 17–7 | 21,012 | ||
October 19 | 3:30 p.m. | Louisiana–Monroe | No. 24 |
| ESPN+ | W 52–7 | 27,717 |
October 26 | Noon | at South Alabama | No. 21 | ESPNU | W 30–3 | 17,969 | |
October 31 | 8:00 p.m. | Georgia Southern | No. 20 |
| ESPNU | L 21–24 | 18,796 |
November 9 | 7:00 p.m. | at South Carolina* | ESPN2 | W 20–15 | 80,849 | ||
November 16 | 7:30 p.m. | at Georgia State | No. 25 | ESPNU | W 56–27 | 17,309 | |
November 23 | 2:30 p.m. | Texas State | No. 24 |
| ESPN+ | W 35–13 | 22,125 |
November 29 | 6:00 p.m. | at Troy | No. 25 | ESPN+ | W 48–13 | 18,989 | |
December 7 | Noon | Louisiana | No. 21 |
| ESPN | W 45–38 | 18,618 |
December 21 | 9:00 p.m. | vs. UAB* | No. 20 | ESPN | W 31–17 | 21,202 | |
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- Schedule Source:[7]
Game summaries
East Tennessee State
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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East Tennessee State | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
App State | 7 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 42 |
Game information | ||
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Charlotte
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Charlotte | 6 | 7 | 15 | 13 | 41 |
App State | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 56 |
Game information | ||
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at North Carolina
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
0–1 | 1940[8] | L, 56–6 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
App State | 13 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 34 |
North Carolina | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
Game information | ||
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Coastal Carolina
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coastal Carolina | 14 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 37 |
App State | 14 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 56 |
Game information | ||
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at Louisiana
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
App State | 7 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
Louisiana | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
- Date: October 9
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Temperature: 83 °F (28 °C) • Wind: S 4 mph • Weather: Clear
- Game attendance: 21,012
- Referee: Kyle Olson
- TV announcers (ESPN2): Clay Matvick (play-by-play) & Ryan Leaf (analyst)
- ESPN – App State tops ULL 17–7 in rematch of Sun Belt title game[9] /// Box Score, Appalachian State at Louisiana[10] /// Pregame Notes[11] /// Postgame Notes[12]
Game information | ||
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Louisiana–Monroe
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Louisiana–Monroe | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
No. 24 App State | 21 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 52 |
Game information | ||
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at South Alabama
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
2–1 | 2018 | W, 52–7 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 21 App State | 7 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 30 |
South Alabama | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Game information | ||
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Georgia Southern
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Georgia Southern | 7 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 24 |
No. 20 App State | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
Game information | ||
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at South Carolina
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
1–8 | 1988[13] | L, 35–9 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
App State | 3 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
South Carolina | 6 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 15 |
Game information | ||
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at Georgia State
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
5–0 | 2018 | W, 45–17 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 25 App State | 14 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 56 |
Georgia State | 21 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 27 |
Game information | ||
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Texas State
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texas State | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
No. 24 App State | 7 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 35 |
Game information | ||
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at Troy
Overall record | Last meeting | Result |
---|---|---|
4–3 | 2018 | W, 21–10 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 25 App State | 20 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 48 |
Troy | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Game information | ||
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Sun Belt Championship Game
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Louisiana | 7 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 38 |
No. 21 App State | 21 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 45 |
at Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, NC
- Date: December 7
- Game time: Noon EST
- Game attendance: 18,618
- Referee: Jason Autrey
- TV announcers (ESPN): Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Ryan Leaf (analyst), Quint Kessenich (sideline)
Game information | ||
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Rankings
Week | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
AP | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | 24 | 21 | 20 | RV | RV | 23 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Coaches | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | 24 | 21 | 19 | RV | 24 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||
CFP | Not released | NR | 25 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 20 | Not released |
Players drafted into the NFL
Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL Club |
3 | 93 | Darrynton Evans | RB | Tennessee Titans |
4 | 107 | Akeem Davis-Gaither | OLB | Cincinnati Bengals |
References
- "New Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz predicts success". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- Bonnell, Rick."Appalachian State tops Troy, will host Sun Belt championship game", The Charlotte Observer, November 24, 2018, retrieved January 26, 2019.
- "Appalachian State tops UL-Lafayette for Sun Belt title, trip to New Orleans Bowl; Cajuns to Cure Bowl". The Advocate. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. December 1, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
- Martel, Brett."App State unleashes trick plays, routs Middle Tennessee in New Orleans Bowl", The Charlotte Observer, December 16, 2018, retrieved January 26, 2019.
- Joyce, Ethan."Eliah Drinkwitz wraps up first football recruiting class as head coach at App State", Winston-Salem Journal, February 6, 2019, retrieved February 10, 2019
- "2019 App State football roster", appstatesports.com, retrieved March 5, 2019
- "2019 App State Football Schedule Revealed", AppStateSports.com, March 1, 2019, retrieved March 2, 2019.
- "1940 North Carolina Tar Heels Schedule and Results". sports-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- "Appalachian State at Louisiana – Game Summary – October 9, 2019". ESPN. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
- "Scoring Summary (Final) Appalachian State at Louisiana (Oct 9, 2019 at Lafayette, La.)". Appalachian State Athletic Department. October 9, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
- "Appalachian State at Louisiana – Game Notes" (PDF). Appalachian State Athletic Department. October 6, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
- "App State Wins Defensive Slugfest at Louisiana". Appalachian State Athletic Department. October 9, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
- "App State and South Carolina Announce Three-Game Football Series", AppStateSports.com, March 15, 2018, retrieved March 8, 2019.