App State Football: 3 takeaways from Sun Belt battle at Louisiana

3. Special teams made the difference for App State

So much of Appalachian State’s lore has been built around their special teams play. From the landmark upset of Michigan at the Big House in 2007, when Corey Lynch broke through the Wolverines line to block Jason Gingell’s last-second field goal attempt, to their most recent Power Five takedown at North Carolina earlier this season, blocked kicks have been a big part of Mountaineers history.

They worked their magic once again in the third quarter of the tense battle at Louisiana. After forcing Appalachian State to go three-and-out on their opening drive of the second half, the Ragin’ Cajuns took the ball downfield before bogging down just outside the red zone. Kenneth Almendares lined up for a 42-yard field goal attempt, and for the fourth time this season a block-hungry crew got through to tip a kick.

This time it was senior linebacker Jordan Fehr who burst through the Louisiana line to tip Almendares’ kick. Senior defensive back Josh Thomas chased down the errant ball and looked to return it upfield. Though he only got back to the 25 with the return, the heads-up play demonstrated the attention that Appalachian State devotes to their kick-blocking unit.

Whether it has been Jerry Moore, Scott Satterfield, or new head coach Elijah Drinkwitz at the helm, Appalachian State remains committed to working on that phase of the game. It paid off handsomely once again, as the Mountaineers drove downfield and got a field goal of their own on the ensuing drive to take a 10-7 lead they would not relinquish.