Last Updated on August 30, 2025 10:04 am
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Unveiling the offseason work from a new coaching staff and new-look roster, App State Football opened another season in an NFL stadium covered with copious amounts of black and gold.
The Mountaineers extending their winning streak against Charlotte and improving to 2-0 on the Carolina Panthers' home turf?
You could bank on a strong showing in Dowell Loggains' head coaching debut.
New starting quarterback AJ Swann completed 31 of 46 passes for 368 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions to lead a balanced offense in a balanced team effort, as App State posted a 34-11 victory on Friday night in front of 35,718 fans in the Duke's Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium.
Jaden Barnes (134 yards on six catches), Kanen Hamlett and true freshman Alex Sanchez caught touchdown throws from Swann, who set a record for the most passing yards by a quarterback in his App State debut. Dalton Stroman added a career-high eight catches for an offense that totaled 586 yards, including 111 yards and a Wildcat-style touchdown on 22 carries from Rashod Dubinion.
Defensive coordinator DJ Smith's group limited the 49ers to three points through three quarters and forced two big turnovers, starting with Ja'Den McBurrows' diving interception that followed Barnes' 10-yard touchdown reception and contributed to a 10-point outburst in the final 36 seconds of the first half.
True freshman Dominic De Freitas' 47-yard field goal on his first career attempt extended what was a 7-3 lead late in the half to a 17-3 margin at the break, and he added another field goal before Swann's touchdown pass to Hamlett pushed the advantage to 27-3 in the third quarter.
That score remained the same into the fourth quarter thanks to App State safety Dylan Hasz's forced fumble on a first-and-goal carry from the App State 3, with linebacker Kyle Arnholt scooping up the loose ball.
The Mountaineers held Charlotte to 218 offensive yards, including just 76 rushing yards on 29 attempts. McBurrows and Zyeir Gamble led the defense with six tackles apiece, and Colton Phares contributed five.
Charlotte took its only lead at 3-0 on a 42-yard field goal to close a drive that began at the 49ers' 20 following a touchdown on a fumble recovery that occurred when Barnes fumbled right before crossing the end zone for what would have been a 59-yard touchdown.
The Mountaineers went ahead for good on Dubinion's 2-yard keeper for a score midway through the second quarter, and he had a fourth-and-1 conversion on a 14-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that pushed into the final minute of the first half. The touchdown by Barnes, midfield interception by McBurrows and long field goal from De Freitas created a cushion that grew bigger with App State producing three more points on the first drive of the third quarter.
App State improved to 4-0 in its series with Charlotte, following wins in 2018, 2019 and 2020. A year later, the Mountaineers made their first appearance in Bank of America Stadium and won 33-19 in a season-opening game against East Carolina.
App State is back in action Saturday, Sept. 6, with its home opener in a sold-out Kidd Brewer Stadium against FCS program Lindenwood.
