It took exactly 40 minutes and 14 seconds for the first touchdown at the rain-soaked Avocados from Mexico Cure Bowl on Saturday, but it would be enough to give Appalachian State what it needed in the sloppy conditions.
Mountaineers quarterback Joey Aguilar scored on an 8-yard keeper with 4:46 left in the third quarter and it was enough to power the Mountaineers to a 13-9 victory over Miami of Ohio at soggy FBC Mortgage Stadium on the campus of UCF.
It was the first of three bowl games in Orlando this bowl season. Kansas State will face NC State in the Pop Tarts Bow on Dec. 28, and Tennessee faces Iowa in the Cheeze-It Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day, both at Camping World Stadium.
“There are high expectations for App State. It’s championships or bust,” App State coach Shawn Clark said after the Mountaineers improved to 9-4. “All the credit goes to our players.”
An inch of rain fell during the contest, limiting much of what both teams tried to do, but App State did move the ball after taking advantage of three Miami turnovers.
The App State defense saved the victory late in the fourth quarter when Miami’s Keyon Mozee fumbled at midfield and the Mountaineers’ EJ Jackson jumped on it. Miami was driving and after six straight carries by workhorse running back Rashad Amos for 41 yards, the RedHawks were at the 50-yard line and threatening.
Anthony Rosier happy Appalachian State is in town for Cure Bowl
Miami coach Chuck Martin decided, however, to give Amos a breather, and he sent in Mozee. Two plays later, the junior coughed up the ball and the turnover marked the end of Miami’s chances as App State worked the clock down to zeroes from there.
“Just trying to get Rashad a blow. I thought we were going to run all the way down the field and score and win the game,” Martin said. “Rashad was running and…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/appalachian-state-holds-off-miami-023100186.html
Author : Orlando Sentinel
Publish date : 2023-12-17 02:31:00
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