Last Updated on December 16, 2023 7:50 pm
NEW ORLEANS — Battling the elements and MAC champion Miami (Ohio), Sun Belt East Division champion App State proved victorious for the seventh time in eight bowl appearances with a 13-9 win in the Avocados from Mexico Cure Bowl.
The Mountaineers, who were one of an FBS-leading 12 Sun Belt football programs to participate in Bowl Season, are 7-1 in eight bowl appearances in nine years of eligibility.
Points were at a premium due to the driving rain throughout the contest—and App State led 6-3 at the half behind a pair of field goals from junior kicker Michael Hughes.
Junior quarterback Joey Aguilar—the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year—added the lone touchdown for the Mountaineers on a nine-yard rush to close out an 11-play, 73-yard scoring drive in the third quarter. A 23-yard touchdown run by RedHawks redshirt sophomore running back Rashad Amos pulled Miami back within a score late in the third quarter, but neither team would add to the tally from that point forward.
The weather was a significant factor in a contest that featured a combined 13 fumbles and six turnovers. Each of Miami’s nine points came off of App State turnovers.
Junior running back Anderson Castle rushed for 119 yards and redshirt junior wide receiver Kaedin Robinson caught eight passes for 98 yards to lead the Mountaineer offense. Senior safety Nick Ross and redshirt sophomore linebacker Caden Sullivan paced the defensive unit with 10 tackles apiece.
With the win in the first-ever matchup against Miami (Ohio), App State improves to 9-5 on the year. The Mountaineers have accumulated nine-or-more wins in 8-of-10 seasons since moving to the FBS level and joining the Sun Belt.
