The Good, The Bad and the Ugly- Marshall
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2025 6:28 pm
App State limped home nursing a 4 game losing streak after suffering the worst conference loss since joining the FBS in 2014. Many were curious what team we would see show up to play Marshall, would it be one just mailing it in the final two games of the season or would we see our Mountaineers that don't quit and give their all for Appalachian State. On Saturday, the latter showed up and beat Marshall 26-24 to keep slim hopes alive for a bowl game.
The Good- To me the best part of the game was that our guys came out ready to play and gave effort for the entire game. I have already given DLo and staff credit for this and will do so again here, the players clearly buy in and believe in their coach, so I will too (despite my past week of calling for his head). I was pleasantly surprised to see how we played and I am excited for next week.
RB Lewis- In a breakout game where we featured him as the go to back, Lewis ran for 175 yards on 33 carries with 2 touchdowns. This true freshman has played well all season, but this game showed what he can be and what he can do. The future is bright, just hope we can keep him in Boone.
Defense- Came up the biggest when we needed it most. Down 1 late in the 4th with Marshall driving, trying to add some points and salt the game away, the D forced a fumble and got the recovery. This lead to a game winning FG. The next series with Marshall desperately trying to get within FG range, the D again forced another fumble and recovered it. 3 turnovers on the day gave App State a chance for victory.
Special teams- Dom continues to be very good with 2 FGs, including the game winner, and 2 extra points. In addition, it was Ratliff's excellent 70 punt that pinned Marshall to the 3 yard line that set everything up. Although Marshall was able to move the ball, by the time we forced the first fumble, we recovered in plus territory and only needed a little more distance for the game winning FG. But Ratliff's punt set it all up. In addition all coverage units did a good job. I blame the staff for the bone head 2 point conversion attempt so I won't put that on the players.
For what seems like the first time all season, the other team had more penalty yards and turnovers. This was a positive and hopefully the direction we are headed into our final game next weekend in Boone.
The Bad- some questionable play calling. 4th and 1 early in the game and we come out in an empty backfield set. Seeing this, Marshall pins their ears backs and pressures Kohl into an intentional grounding. The short field set up their first TD and seemed to awaken their offense which to that point had been lackluster. A very odd 2 point conversion attempt that saw a our non-playmakers trying to make a play. I don't like chasing points early in a game, I think it hurst more than it helps, but if you are going to chase them then why not use your studs. It has been pointed out how well Lewis was running the ball, why get cute with some strange lineup when you could just let him have the ball? There were others, but we got the win.
The Ugly- I will call myself out for this one. After last week's game against JMU, I had seen enough. I called for our coaches' head in numerous threads and lost my belief in this team and staff. While I am still not sold, I do realize that I jumped the gun and let my emotions get the best of me. Those conversations are best for the off season. I should have let the entire season play out before judging the product. My conduct the past week was ugly and fueled by frustration and disappointment when I should have tried to be more positive and believe in the process.
Thankfully, I didn't see anything ugly from our team.
The Good- To me the best part of the game was that our guys came out ready to play and gave effort for the entire game. I have already given DLo and staff credit for this and will do so again here, the players clearly buy in and believe in their coach, so I will too (despite my past week of calling for his head). I was pleasantly surprised to see how we played and I am excited for next week.
RB Lewis- In a breakout game where we featured him as the go to back, Lewis ran for 175 yards on 33 carries with 2 touchdowns. This true freshman has played well all season, but this game showed what he can be and what he can do. The future is bright, just hope we can keep him in Boone.
Defense- Came up the biggest when we needed it most. Down 1 late in the 4th with Marshall driving, trying to add some points and salt the game away, the D forced a fumble and got the recovery. This lead to a game winning FG. The next series with Marshall desperately trying to get within FG range, the D again forced another fumble and recovered it. 3 turnovers on the day gave App State a chance for victory.
Special teams- Dom continues to be very good with 2 FGs, including the game winner, and 2 extra points. In addition, it was Ratliff's excellent 70 punt that pinned Marshall to the 3 yard line that set everything up. Although Marshall was able to move the ball, by the time we forced the first fumble, we recovered in plus territory and only needed a little more distance for the game winning FG. But Ratliff's punt set it all up. In addition all coverage units did a good job. I blame the staff for the bone head 2 point conversion attempt so I won't put that on the players.
For what seems like the first time all season, the other team had more penalty yards and turnovers. This was a positive and hopefully the direction we are headed into our final game next weekend in Boone.
The Bad- some questionable play calling. 4th and 1 early in the game and we come out in an empty backfield set. Seeing this, Marshall pins their ears backs and pressures Kohl into an intentional grounding. The short field set up their first TD and seemed to awaken their offense which to that point had been lackluster. A very odd 2 point conversion attempt that saw a our non-playmakers trying to make a play. I don't like chasing points early in a game, I think it hurst more than it helps, but if you are going to chase them then why not use your studs. It has been pointed out how well Lewis was running the ball, why get cute with some strange lineup when you could just let him have the ball? There were others, but we got the win.
The Ugly- I will call myself out for this one. After last week's game against JMU, I had seen enough. I called for our coaches' head in numerous threads and lost my belief in this team and staff. While I am still not sold, I do realize that I jumped the gun and let my emotions get the best of me. Those conversations are best for the off season. I should have let the entire season play out before judging the product. My conduct the past week was ugly and fueled by frustration and disappointment when I should have tried to be more positive and believe in the process.
Thankfully, I didn't see anything ugly from our team.
