The Appalachian State Mountaineers (2-2) are looking to bounce back this week against a New Mexico State (2-3) team that’s in its last season in the Sun Belt Conference. This is the second matchup between these two teams as Appalachian State came away with a 37-7 victory last season and Las Cruces.
The Aggies from New Mexico State score a lot of points and give up a lot of points. Facing an Aggie offense that is second in the Sun Belt in passing yards per game, the Mountaineers are going to have to rely on their best in the conference defense to find success this week.
In the defensive backfield, senior safety AJ Howard made a critical tackle to secure the Mountaineers win earlier this season at Texas State and ranks fourth on the team with 21 tackles. Last year's Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Clifton Duck, a sophomore from Butler, is shutting down opposing wide receivers. The defensive backfield was able to get this pressure because of players like senior linebacker Eric Boggs. Boggs posted the eleventh double-digit tackle game of his career last week against Wake Forest last week.
Offensively for Appalachian State, it’s in the hands of senior quarterback Taylor Lamb who is only three touchdown passes behind Mountaineer superstar Armanti Edwards for the school's all-time touchdown record. Running back Jalin Moore (Crest) has limited touches so far this season but did lead the Sun Belt Conference in rushing in 2016. Stepping into the running game to relieve Moore this season has been Terrence Upshaw.
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