App State football is looking to bounce back in a big way this weekend as they get set to host Sun Belt rival, the Marshall University Thundering Herd. The Mountaineers enter the game on a four-game losing streak and are coming off their biggest loss of the season: 58-10 against James Madison University. The Mountaineers were held scoreless until the fourth quarter, where they scored 10 points. Head coach Dowell Loggains didn’t shy away from responsibility when addressing the loss in his Monday press conference.
“Obviously a disappointing loss to a very good JMU team. As the head coach, that starts with me. I ultimately take responsibility for all three phases in our performance.” Loggains said during the Monday pregame press conference. “Now the challenge becomes putting a very bad game, a very disappointing game behind us and moving forward.”
While the recent results have been disappointing, Loggains said he expects an energized crowd to show up for the rival game.
“Getting to play at home is a big deal for the energy we’ll get from our crowd.” Loggains said. “We owe them one for the last time we played at home. We started slow and we need to start fast and I expect our crowd to be awesome and show up because I think they know what’s on the line as well.”
Marshall enters the matchup at 5-5, after a 30-18 win over Georgia State University, and fighting for bowl eligibility with two games left in the season. Despite a 4-6 record, App State is still eligible for a bowl game, Loggains said the team will continue to fight and be competitive in every game.
“You’re trying to build a mentality that you don’t quit.” Loggains said. “No matter what the circumstances are, we don’t quit. Even when it’s not going the way we want to go, the only way to get out of that situation is to work.”
For the Mountaineers, turnovers and penalties have been costly during this losing streak.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback JJ Kohl and the offense will need to play a clean game, and the defense needs to set the tone early..
Saturday’s matchup will also mark the 19th all-time meeting between App State and Marshall. The Mountaineers lead the series 10-9 overall and will attempt to improve that record.
“Today is going to be a very emotional day for all of us because all of us are sad. We’re disappointed. We let a lot of people down,” Loggains said. “I let a lot of people down with the way I led that football team in that game. But it’s about how we respond and I can promise you this. We’re going to give it everything we got to get this thing right.”
A victory over a rival team like Marshall would serve as a boost for morale, confidence, and a reminder that the Mountaineers can still compete.
Kickoff is set for Saturday at 2:30 pm at Kidd Brewer Stadium and will be streamed on ESPN+.
