Box Score

BOONE, N.C. - In a reversal of fortunes, Texas State quarterback Barrick Nealy returned after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury while Appalachian State quarterback Richie Williams missed Saturday's game with a deep knee bruise suffered last week.

Still, with true freshman Trey Elder starting in William's place, No. 24 Appalachian State was able to stave off fourth-quarter comeback attempts to post a 41-34 win over the Bobcats in Kidd Brewer Stadium.

Elder completed 12-of-20 passes for 249 yards and ran for three touchdowns in the Moutaineers' win. In his first action since the season-opener against Angelo State, Nealy went the distance for the Bobcats, completing 20-of-36 passes for 219 yards while running for a career-high 102.

With the win, Appalachian improved to 3-2 while Texas State is now 2-2 heading into next week's game with Florida Atlantic.

"We didn't excel in any phase of the game, offensively, defensively or special teams," said Texas State coach David Bailiff. "We had too many turnovers, third down conversions and missed two field goals.

"Appalachian State is known as a tough team. Tough teams win football games. We have to become a tough team."

The Bobcats fell behind 34-17 when DaVon Fowlkes split Texas State's coverage for a 65-yard touchdown reception. But the `Cats made a game of it in the fourth quarter.

Gary Shepard intercepted an Elder pass and his 24-yard return led to a 3-yard Terrell Harris touchdown run that cut the lead to 34-24 with 14:37 to play.

Nato James would block an Appalachian punt which was downed at the ASU 26. Steven Dietz would later drill a 44-yard field goal and the Mountaineer lead was down to 34-27 with 7:03 on the clock.

The Mountaineers would answer as Elder engineered a 6-play, 76-yard drive he would cap with a 9-yard touchdown run to extend ASU's lead to 41-27. Elder became the first Mountaineer player to score three rushing touchdowns since 1995.

Texas State then marched right back down the field with Harris scoring on a 2-yard run to end an 11-play, 80-yard drive to make the score 41-34 with 2:45 left. Dietz would attempt an on-side kick for the Bobcats but Texas State recovered before the ball went 10 yards and Appalachian took control at the Texas State 43.

Appalachian State was able to take advantage of great field position to score its first points.

Fowlkes was able to get outside and pick up a couple blocks for an 18-yard punt return to the Texas State 36. On the ensuing drive the Mountaineers converted a fourth-and-7 play with a 30-yard pass from Elder to Zach Johnson to the 3-yard line.

ASU looked to have scored when Elder rolled right and tossed a completed pass in the end zone to tight end Daniel Bettis. But the Mountaineers were called for an illegal receiver down field. Facing third-and-goal, Elder was able to find a crevice in a quickly collapsing pocket, get outside and score on a 7 yard run. Julian Rauch's point-after gave Appalachian a 7-0 lead with 4:16 to play in the first quarter.

Texas State would answer on its next series, driving 65 yards on nine plays to the score at 7-7 with 47 seconds to play in the first.

Nealy completed a 23-yard pass to John Tyson to begin the drive and also completed a 14-yard pass to Terrell Harris and an 11-yarder to Markee White. Facing third-and-7 from nine Nealy ran for eight yards before Harris scored on a 1 yard dive.

Appalachian State was able to take advantage of two Texas State turnovers to build a 21-10 halftime lead.

Douglas Sherman slipped on an option pitch from Nealy and the loose ball was picked up by Jeremy Wiggins and returned 86-yards for touchdown to give Appalachian a 14-7 lead with 12:18 to play in the second quarter.

The Bobcats would cut the deficit to 14-10 on a 45-yard Steven Dietz field goal.

Later in the quarter, Nealy was intercepted by Justin Woazeah and returned 14 yards to the Texas State 21.

Elder would complete a 17-yard pass to Alan Atwater before scrambling for his second rushing touchdown, a 4-yarder giving Appalachian State a 21-10 lead with 5:36 to play in the second.

While ASU turned two Texas State turnovers into points, the Bobcats failed to capitalize on two Mountaineer fumbles.

The Cats gained possession at the ASU 33 when an Elder fumble was recovered by Teddy Jones. But the drive would end on the fumbled pitch Wiggins returned for a touchdown.

Travis Upshaw would force and recover an Elder fumble at the Texas State 35. The Bobcats had to settle for a 49-yard Dietz field goal attempt which sailed wide left.