Homecoming in Boone featured unseasonably warm temperatures and clear skies. The Blue Ridge Mountains often receive varied forecasts, so an appreciative App State crowd arrived in Boone ready to party. Southern Miss strode into Kidd Brewer Stadium playing the underdog role and hopeful spoiler of the Mountaineer festivities.
Coming in with only one victory on record, The Golden Eagles didn’t have much to play for, which made them particularly troublesome. Appalachian State has tripped on some obstacles this season, but a bowl game opportunity still held a glistening luster. Grim outlooks began to appear on the faces of Mountaineer fans as Southern Miss took a 38-28 lead early in the fourth quarter. But, big plays by App State would change complexions. Quarterback Joey Aguilar led three scoring drives that finished with explosive touchdowns helping App State to rally and win 48-38.
Happy homecomers left the stadium as a resilient win lunged the Mountaineers closer to a bowl game. “Hi Hi Yikas” played often as the capacity crowd was treated to an offensive battle. Gameday in beautiful Boone never disappoints, especially with a promising victory.
