2012 Appalachian State FOOTBALL HISTORY AND TRADITIONS
MEMORABLE GAMES
October 12, 1968
NOVEMBER 8, 1975
Holding a 17-14 lead at the half, Appalachian exploded out of the tunnel after the intermission, scoring two touchdowns in the third quarter and three more in the fourth. It was a record-breaking day for the Mountaineers that included 35 first downs, 572 yards on the ground, and 654 total yards. The Mountaineer defense stunned the Bears by yielding just 59 rushing yards one week after the Bears received national fame by racking up 900 total yards of offense. Sophomore Emmitt Hamilton rushed for 215 yard and two touchdowns in his greatest performance in a Mountaineer jersey. The Mountaineers played before a stunned Lenoir-Rhyne crowd of 12,500 fans. The Bears’ frustration was evident when a bench-clearing brawl broke out with 16 seconds left in the contest.
Robbie Price put on an offensive show before 47,489 fans on hand at Williams-Brice Stadium, who saw seven scoring drives over 70 yards, four of which went longer than 80 yards in a 39-34 triumph over South Carolina. After South Carolina scooped up a Price fumble and returned it for the first points of the day, Appalachian got on the board with a 77-yard drive that was capped off by a John Craig score. The touchdown was especially sweet for Craig who began his career with the Gamecocks two years earlier. Appalachian led at the half, 24-14, but South Carolina came out quick in the third quarter, and reduced the ASU lead to four when Jeff Grantz scored from two yards out. Price answered with a 32-yard touchdown pass. However, South Carolina scored late in the third quarter to make it 30-27. The Gamecocks drove 81 yards take the lead, 34-30. However, the Mountaineers responded with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Price to a diving Donnie Holt. Mike Staton sealed the win with an interception that led to a Mountaineer field goal to make the final score 39-34.
Mountaineers tame bears Appalachian 52, Lenoir-Rhyne 28
SEPTEMBER 9, 1972
APPS BREAK UP PAT ATTEMPT TO SAVE WIN APPALACHIAN 7, WESTERN KENTUCKY 6
Registering three interceptions, four fumble recoveries, and a blocked punt, Appalachian’s stellar defense came up with the winning plays all afternoon in a defensive battle. Midway through the third quarter, quarterback Steve Loflin hit Boone’s homegrown hero Richard Agle for a 78-yard pass and catch for their only touchdown of the day. Managing a shutout late in the fourth quarter, the Apps gave up a touchdown on Clarence Jackson’s one-yard plunge with 1:52 left in the contest to lead by one, at 7-6. The Hilltoppers decided to go for two and the win, which proved costly when the Mountaineer defense broke up the extra point pass attempt in the endzone to save the victory.
OCTOBER 20, 1973
BRAKEFIELD TAKES DOWN OLD TEAM APPALACHIAN 28, WOFFORD 21
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Backup quarterback Phil Coccioletti not only replaced injured Roscoe Batts in the third quarter, but took over the Mountaineers’ run-oriented “Y Offense” and converted it to a passing attack. Down 21-7 late in the third quarter, Coccioletti connected with split end Bob Steelman for a 35-yard touchdown. On Coccioletti’s second drive, he stunned the Terrier offense with another long ball connecting with Charlie Haugabrook for a 36-yard strike. He finished the drive with a one-yard dive into the endzone. Late in the fourth quarter, Coccioletti drove Appalachian deep in Wofford territory before Jim Tucker’s six-yard scamper for the go-ahead score. The Mountaineers balanced offense recorded 191 yards in the air and 190 on the ground. Place kicker Greg Clark was 4-for-4 on extra point tries. Clark went on to establish an NCAA record with 56 consecutive good PAT kicks.
PRICE IS RIGHT IN TRIUMPH AT USC APPALACHIAN 39, SOUTH CAROLINA 34
SEPTEMBER 24, 1979
WISHBONE ALLOWS GROUND GAME TO PREVAIL APPALACHIAN 35, WESTERN CAROLINA 27
Touted as an aerial display, quarterbacks Mike Pussey (WCU) and Steve Brown (ASU) drew 17,124 fans to Conrad Stadium for what was billed to be a passing thriller. The Mountaineers used an element of surprise by utilizing the rushing game in a 35-27 win. Pussey connected on 16 passes for 231 yards and a touchdown, while Brown only put the ball in the air 13 times. Trailing 27-14 at halftime, it was the newly constructed wishbone formation that sparked a rally. The Mountaineers totaled 266 rushing yards in the victory. The Mountaineer defense allowed just 37 yards through the air and two first downs in the second half.
NOVEMBER 1, 1980
ROOKIE CARRIES APPS TO VICTORY APPALACHIAN 27, WESTERN CAROLINA 24
With 15,850 fans on hand to witness the tandem of Steve Brown and Rick Beasley play in their final game at Conrad Stadium, it was freshman Alvin Parker who stole the show in a 27-24 come from behind win. Beasley, who finished his career as the NCAA’s fifth all-time leading receiver, went down in the first quarter with an injury. Minus his top target, Brown was limited to 166 yards through the air. Fullback Pete Carmelo went down in the second half, so it was the 5-11, 185-pound Parker who got the call and became the first 100-yard rusher of the season for the Mountaineers.
OCTOBER 19, 1974
HARMON TAMES WILD DOGS WITH 47-YARDER APPALACHIAN 23, EAST CAROLINA 21
In a game that both teams entered undefeated, placekicker Jerry Harmon proved to be the difference, converting a 47-yard field goal with 32 seconds left for the 23-21 victory over East Carolina. Sophomore Devon Ford worked his way through ECU’s touted “Wild Dogs” defense, amassing 231 all-purpose yards. The Mountaineers carried a 20-0 advantage into the locker room. The Pirates quickly countered in the third quarter behind Ken Strayhorn who rushed for two touchdowns bringing the deficit down to six points, at 20-14. ECU claimed the lead, at 21-20, midway through the fourth quarter when halfback Jimmy Howe scored on a 65-yard run. Late in the game, the Mountaineers took advantage of a short Pirate punt that gave them the ball on their own 45. The Apps used a pair of passes to set the stage for Harmon’s long field goal. John Craig (35), a transfer from South Carolina, scored ASU’s first touchdown and Robbie Price (5) threw for two touchdowns and ran for another in Appalachian’s 3934 win at Williams-Brice Stadium in 1975.
3-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
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11-TIME SoCon CHAMPIONS