Last Updated on September 17, 2016 7:32 pm
*Information provided by Appalachian Sports Information. For a look at the sights and sounds before kickoff visit this link*
BOONE, N.C. – A fast start in the first half for No. 25 Miami doomed Appalachian State, as the Mountaineers fell 45-10 on Saturday afternoon in front of a record crowd of 34,658 at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
The Hurricanes scored three touchdowns in the first quarter and never looked back. Miami amassed over 500 yards of total offense including an 80-yard touchdown run on the opening play. App State (1-2) had a chance to cut the lead in half in the opening quarter, but a long touchdown run by Marcus Cox was negated by a holding penalty.
Miami QB Brad Kaaya was the difference. He was 21-for-27 for 368 yards and three touchdowns. Wide out Stacy Coley had five receptions for 85 yards and two key touchdowns to keep the Apps at a distance.
Appalachian had a chance to swing the momentum early in the second half.
With Miami was threatening to grow their lead early in the third, App linebacker John Law picked off a Brad Kaaya pass at the goal line and returned it 60 yards to set up the Mountaineers’ TD.
Quarterback Taylor Lamb found a wide-open Barrett Burns for a 24-yd touchdown pass and cut the lead to 24-10. The TD pass was the 50th of Lamb’s career. He is third all-time at App State.
The Hurricanes, however, scored the next two touchdowns to put the game out of reach.
App running back Jalin Moore rushed for a season-high 89 yards on 23 carries to lead App State in rushing. Moore had six carries for 78 yards in the field goal drive in the second quarter. Burns hauled in a team-best four catches for 61 yards and a score.
Linebacker Eric Boggs led the team with 10 stops, his third-straight game with at least 10 tackles to open the season.
Appalachian will look to bounce back week in the final non-conference game of the season at Akron in the final non-conference game of the season. Kickoff is schedule for 3:30 p.m. on American Sports Network in Akron, Ohio.
RECORD CROWD: An announced crowd of 34,658 filled Kidd Brewer Stadium on Saturday, the largest crowd in the history of the stadium. The previous record was in excess of 31,000 against Elon in 2010.
