BOONE – App State kicker Dominic De Freitas connected on a 23-yard field goal with 2:02 remaining to lift the Mountaineers past Marshall 26-24 on Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina.
The victory improved App State to 5-6 overall and 2-5 in conference play, while Marshall fell to 5-6 and 3-4. The game featured five lead changes and came down to a frantic final quarter that saw both teams commit costly turnovers.
App State's winning drive covered 35 yards in eight plays over 3:31, capitalizing on a Marshall fumble deep in Herd territory. Running back Jaquari Lewis carried the ball 33 times for 175 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Mountaineers' ground attack.
Marshall quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson accounted for two rushing touchdowns and threw for 146 yards, while running back Joshon Barbie added 102 yards and a score on 10 carries. Despite outgaining App State 438-276 in total offense, the Herd could not overcome two lost fumbles in the fourth quarter.
The game turned in the fourth quarter after Marshall had taken a 24-23 lead on Lorcan Quinn's 25-yard field goal with 5:29 left in the third quarter. The Herd appeared poised to extend their advantage when they drove from their own 1-yard line to the App State 40 in a seven-play drive that consumed more than three minutes. But running back Michael Allen fumbled at the App State 42, and Colton Phares recovered for the Mountaineers at the 39 with 5:33 remaining.
App State methodically moved into field goal range, with Lewis gaining 13 yards on first down to the Marshall 9. After three more plays, De Freitas came on for the game-winning kick, his second successful field goal of the afternoon.
Marshall had one final chance after receiving the kickoff at their own 25 with 2:02 to play. The Herd moved the ball to the App State 39 before Allen fumbled again with less than a minute remaining, effectively ending Marshall's comeback hopes.
The first half belonged to Marshall's offense, particularly Del Rio-Wilson. After App State took a 3-0 lead on De Freitas's 32-yard field goal, Marshall answered with an eight-play, 41-yard touchdown drive capped by Barbie's 5-yard run.
App State regained the lead early in the second quarter when Lewis scored from 18 yards out to make it 9-7, but Marshall responded with two quick touchdowns. Del Rio-Wilson rushed for scores of 16 and 4 yards on consecutive possessions, giving the Herd a 21-9 advantage with 8:14 left in the half.
The Mountaineers cut into the deficit before halftime with a 75-yard drive that ended with J.J. Kohl's 19-yard touchdown pass to David Larkins with 53 seconds remaining. The score pulled App State within 21-16 at the break.
App State seized momentum to start the third quarter with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that consumed 5:33. Lewis capped the march with a 5-yard run, giving the Mountaineers their first lead since the opening quarter at 23-21.
Marshall's response came on a nine-play, 64-yard drive that stalled at the App State 7, forcing Quinn's field goal attempt. The successful kick put Marshall ahead 24-23, setting up the tense fourth quarter.
Wide receiver Demarcus Lacey led all receivers with 12 catches for 134 yards, consistently moving the chains for Marshall. Del Rio-Wilson completed 13 of 21 passes for his 146 yards, while backup Zion Turner added 54 yards on 8-of-9 passing.
For App State, Kohl finished 19-of-27 for 134 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Sam Mbake caught seven passes for 39 yards, while Lewis added five receptions for 39 yards to complement his rushing performance.
Marshall's defense registered two sacks and five tackles for loss, led by linebacker Jayland Parker's 15 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks totaling 24 yards. App State's defense forced three turnovers, including the crucial fourth-quarter fumble recoveries, and recorded two sacks.
The statistics told a stark story: Marshall converted just 5 of 12 third-down attempts and averaged 6.3 yards per play compared to App State's 3.9. Marshall possessed the ball for 30:09 to App State's 29:51. But the Mountaineers scored three points off turnovers while Marshall managed none, proving decisive in the close contest.
Marshall's offensive balance was evident with 238 rushing yards and 200 passing yards, but the team went 0-for-2 in the red zone with field goal attempts, including a blocked kick in the fourth quarter. App State converted all five red zone opportunities into scores, including three touchdowns and two field goals.
The loss marked Marshall's third defeat in conference play and fourth in their last six games overall. App State snapped a three-game losing streak with the victory.
Top Performers:
- Jaquari Lewis (App State): 33 carries, 175 rushing yards, 2 TDs; 5 receptions, 39 yards
- Joshon Barbie (Marshall): 10 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD
- Demarcus Lacey (Marshall): 12 receptions, 134 yards
- Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (Marshall): 13-of-21 passing, 146 yards; 14 carries, 71 yards, 2 TDs
- Jayland Parker (Marshall): 15 tackles, 2 sacks, 2.5 TFL
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