Our Dominion

Wow! What else can I say? To say that App State exceeded expectations on Saturday would be a gross understatement. The Mountaineers went into Norfolk, VA Saturday as 8-point favorites. What did they leave with? A 49-0 whooping of the Monarchs of Old Dominion. In my last blog post I said that the game vs. ODU would serve as a "measuring stick" to see where we are as a team so far. I'd say that this game measured very, very good things.

Latrell Gibbs returns a punt vs. ODU

Photo by: Allyson Lamb

So, where to begin? The Mountaineers pretty much dominated every aspect of the game, from start to finish. Overall, the Mountaineers outgained the Monarchs 501-175. They handed Old Dominion their first ever shutout, and worst home loss in the history of their program. This is impressive even though their program is only five years old. Nonetheless, the Mountaineers shined on both sides of the ball.

After the Clemson game I wrote that our defense was good despite the 41-10 scoreline. I also wrote that our offense needed to change some things if they wanted to have a chance at competing. Well, what do you know? Our defense was REALLY good, and our offense improved drastically from the game against Clemson. Coming out of the bye week I think we were all excited to see what the team could do. In our first two games we didn't really learn much. In game one we routed Howard, an FCS team, that was completely outmatched in every way. In game two we played a very good Clemson team who was ranked #12 in the nation and has a shot at making the college football playoff. This was the game where we were supposed to learn a lot about the team. Old Dominion, a Conference USA school, was supposed to be a team that was semi-comparable to us. Yes, we were 8-point favorites and most picked us to win. But no one, and I mean NO ONE, every could have predicted the outcome that took place. I dare say that App State played a near perfect game. Despite a few silly fumbles and penalties at the beginning, it was almost a perfect game for the Mountaineers after that. Along with the usual suspects to have a good game (QB Taylor Lamb, RB Marcus Cox), there were many others that shone brightly in this game. One that comes to mind immediately is CB Latrell Gibbs. Gibbs took over punt return duties from Bobo Beathard, as well as hauled in his third interception in three games. But for me the highlight of the game came from sophomore LB Devan Stringer. Stringer lost his 11-day-old daughter the week of the Clemson game. It's hard to imagine playing through that type of grief that I can't even fathom. In the second quarter, ODU QB Shuler Bentley fumbled the ball and Stringer took it back 77 yards for the touchdown. This was the first touchdown of his of his career. Stringer gave the glory for his touchdown to God and said "that one was for her, and she knows that." It was a beautiful moment to see a young man who is trying to overcome an enermous amount of grief have a moment like that.

So, what's next? The Mountaineers return to the field this Saturday for the homecoming game against the Wyoming Cowboys. Wyoming (0-4) has seen their fair share of struggles so far this season. But the ODU game is over and there is a new opponent to conquer. Despite Wyoming's struggles, they have a coach who knows how to win. Craig Bohl (Cowboys' Head Coach) led FCS powerhouse North Dakota State to three straight FCS national titles in '11, '12 and '13. So even though Wyoming is sruggling, and the Mountaineers are heavily favored, the Cowboys are due for a good game, and it is imperative that the Mountaineers make sure that game isn't against them. Anyways, that's all for now. See you all Saturday at The Rock for a day full of rain, homecoming festvities and, most importantly, football!

Official Jordan Tate Prediction: App State 35, Wyoming 7.