Story and photo courtesy of Appalachian State Athletics
BOONE, N.C. - Following a back-and-forth first half that saw the score knotted at 21-21 at the half, Appalachian State University football scored a late touchdown and then fended off several Montana drives in the fourth quarter to claim a 35-27 win in the highly-anticipated home opener.
Each team scored on its first drive of the game, as Jamal Jackson connected with Sean Price for a 32-yard strike, capping off a 75-yard opening drive.
The Mountaineers (1-1) then went on to cap off a 21-point first-half run with rushing touchdowns from Steven Miller and Jamal Jackson.
The Griz (1-1) then responded with a pair of scores of its own to knot the score at the intermission.
The third quarter was scoreless before the Apps returned to the endzone as Andrew Peacock caught a 25-yarder from Jackson to reclaim the lead.
Montana then scored on a thrilling 87-yard reception by Dan Moore, but the squad's extra point attempt sailed right, keeping the Apps' advantage at 28-27.
App State then practically closed the deal with one more score, a Miller two-yard scamper with five minutes remaining. Interceptions from Patrick Blalock and Demetrius McCray thwarted UM's final attempts to pull even late in regulation.
Jackson completed 24-of-34 passes for 260 yards and a pair of scores. He ran for a career-best 65 yards on 16 carries with an additional touchdown.
Miller led App State with 91 yards on 27 carries with two touchdowns and Price was Appalachian's leading receiver with eight grabs for 103 yards.