App State football looks to keep momentum after a 26-24 win over Marshall University. The Mountaineers will host the Arkansas State University Red Wolves in the final game of the season in a crucial matchup to keep their bowl game hopes alive.
With Thanksgiving break approaching, head coach Dowell Loggains acknowledged the importance of fan support at the game. Saturday’s game will also be Senior Day for the Mountaineers.
“We are pleading with our fans. I know it’s Thanksgiving, but we need everyone here,” Loggains said during the pregame press conference. “We want to send these seniors out the right way. They’ve gone through an awful lot, and they deserve to go out with one more win.”
The Mountaineers offense was powered by redshirt sophomore quarterback JJ Kohl and freshman running back Jaquari Lewis. Their performances played a big role during the team’s victory over Marshall. Kohl completed 19 of 27 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown, while Lewis had a career day with 33 carries for 175 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Despite the Red Wolves defense ranking 111th in the country, Loggains is preparing for a physical and aggressive team.
“Their style of play is something that’s always going to show up on Coach Jones’s team,” Loggains said. “He coaches hard; you can see it, you can see the mentality of this team with how they operate on offense, defense, and special teams. It’s a four-down team. They’ll mix in some odd stuff, and they’re aggressive.”
Arkansas State is currently riding a two-game losing streak, but is still fighting for bowl eligibility, making Saturday a high-stakes matchup for both teams. After dealing with a four-game losing streak before last Saturday’s win, Loggains credited his team for continuing to battle and fight hard.
“I’m proud of the kids, I’m proud of the fight, I’m proud that when you lose four games in a row you show up and compete the way they did because it’d be a lot easier to quit and to shut it down but the commitment level they have for each other, that’s what I’m proud of,” Loggains said.
The Mountaineers defense has faced its fair share of dual-threat quarterbacks this season and are preparing to take on another in Arkansas State’s quarterback Jaylen Raynor. Raynor has 2,710 passing yards to go along with 13 passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while adding 408 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns.
“This guy’s got speed, and so it’ll be a different challenge than what we’ve seen with some of these other guys,” Loggains said. “Great challenge for us, an error we have to improve on. We’re giving up too many rushing yards, and we’ve got to be on the same page.”
A win this weekend would secure bowl eligibility for App State and would give the team a chance at a bowl win in Loggain’s first year as head coach.
Kickoff is set for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Kidd Brewer Stadium and will be streamed on ESPN+.
