Finley to hold 23,010 on Friday

[IE]

Finley Stadium will be configured to hold 23,010 spectators for Friday night's Division I football championship game between Appalachian State and Delaware.

"It will be beautiful," Merrill Eckstein said Wednesday afternoon. "It will be the first time ever that 23,000 will be at Finley Stadium."

Eckstein, the president of the Greater Chattanooga Sports and Events Committee, said Finley's north and south sides contain 20,668 seats but that 302 folding chairs are being added to the south side's handicap row. There will be room for 1,140 fans on the hill under the scoreboard in the east end zone, and there will be room for 900 standing fans on the pavilion plaza above the west end zone.

The numbers in each in zone, Eckstein added, are the maximum amount allowed by Fire Marshal Craig Haney of the Chattanooga Fire Department.

Appalachian State's 28-17 victory over Massachusetts in last year's title game drew a record crowd of 22,808. That broke the longstanding record of 22,642, which was established Oct. 18, 1997, when the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga opened its new home with a 28-7 thumping of Tennessee State.

"We're breaking our own records now," Eckstein said. "We're happy to break our own records."

===================

Woazeah suspended

Appalachian State's defense took a major hit this week when starting cornerback Justin Woazeah and backup linebacker Chris Johnson were suspended for Friday night's game for violating team rules.

ASU coach Jerry Moore did not specify the violation at Wednesday afternoon's media session at Finley Stadium.

Woazeah, a senior and a three-year starter, was tied for sixth on the team with 69 tackles and he leads the nation in pass break-ups with 20. The Mountaineers are facing Delaware's Joe Flacco, a touted NFL prospect who has thrown for 3,929 yards with 22 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

Johnson, a junior, has 19 tackles in limited action at linebacker and on special teams.

================



This and that

Delaware has shown its road toughness the past two weeks, beating top-seeded Northern Iowa and fourth-seeded Southern Illinois to reach the title game. Tight end Robbie Agnone said the Blue Hens are also prepared for another road environment at Finley Stadium, as Appalachian State fans will likely make up more than half of the sell-out crowd. "We're a pretty light-hearted, easy-going group, and things like being on the road don't really bother us," Agnone said. "We've done great on the road the last two games, and I don't think Friday will be any different. ... More than 150 Delaware fans were counting on being here for the game after signing up for a package trip that included a charter flight and tickets to the game, according to media reports in Delaware. However, the plan went awry when the university failed to set aside the tickets for the group and eventually sold them, forcing the cancellation of the trip.

 

[IE]

UD at a glance

season recap

Aug. 30, Williamsburg, Va.: Delaware 49, William & Mary 31

The Colonial capital was an appropriate location for the first Colonial Athletic Association football game, as the league took over what had been the Atlantic 10 and Yankee Conference before that. Senior tailback Omar Cuff made it additionally memorable as he tied a Division I-AA record by scoring seven touchdowns in the Blue Hens' season-opening victory. Cuff finished with a career-high 244 rushing yards on 30 carries and six TDs and caught four passes for 52 yards and six more points. Three second-quarter touchdowns gave Delaware a 21-3 halftime lead and the teams later combined for 42 fourth-quarter points.

Sept. 8, Newark: Delaware 41, West Chester 14

The Golden Rams were ranked 15th in Division II and raised concerns for their annual trek to Newark. But Delaware quickly erased any fears for a sellout crowd of 22,495 in its home opener by flying out to a 34-0 halftime lead. Omar Cuff scored four touchdowns before turning duties over to freshman backup Phillip Thaxton, whose 177 yards on 12 carries included a 62-yard TD romp. Delaware beat West Chester for the 14th straight time and 36th time in 39 meetings since 1968.

Sept. 15, Newark: Delaware 38, Rhode Island 9

Senior quarterback Joe Flacco threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns, with Aaron Love hauling in 10 passes for 137 yards and a TD despite missing practice all week because of injuries. The Blue Hen defense also silenced Rhode Island's potentially difficult triple-option offense, which managed just 266 total yards and didn't get a touchdown until the final minute. Cornerback Anthony Walters opened the scoring by deflecting an option pitch and then recovering the loose football in the end zone for a Delaware touchdown.

Sept. 22, Towson, Md.: Delaware 27, Towson 7

The Blue Hens had two scores to settle with Towson, which had beaten them the previous two years, and they did so with an efficient victory that improved their record to 4-0. Towson managed just 157 yards of total offense, a year after it had piled up a regular-season-record 627 against Delaware. Matt Marcorelle had three of UD's six sacks. Omar Cuff rushed for 109 yards and three touchdowns and Joe Flacco threw for 274 yards.

Sept. 29, Newark: Delaware 42, Monmouth 7

The limited-scholarship Hawks, playing Delaware for the first time, were in over their heads. Delaware scored on its first two possessions and had all its points in the first half while improving to 5-0 for the first time since its 2003 national title season. Omar Cuff's 51st career touchdown broke Daryl Brown's school record. Monmouth scored a touchdown in the first half, but Delaware responded with a quick TD drive to make it 21-7 and quell any thoughts of a Monmouth upset.

Oct. 6, Durham, N.H.: New Hampshire 35, Delaware 30

Even with Payton Award-winner Ricky Santos sidelined after injuring his shoulder, the Wildcats had too much firepower for Delaware and handed the Hens their first defeat. The elusive Santos was hurt at the end of a long run leading to a touchdown that put UNH in charge 14-3. But freshman backup QB R.J. Toman was up to the task, and the Wildcats went into halftime ahead 21-3 after an option pass from Keith LeVan to fellow wide receiver Mike Boyle that covered 45 yards. Toman threw two TD passes to LeVan as UNH built a 35-10 lead before a late Delaware rally fell short.

Oct. 13, Newark: Delaware 30, Northeastern 20

Delaware bounced back with a hard-fought CAA win over the Huskies in the homecoming game, as Omar Cuff rushed for 200 yards on 39 carries and two touchdowns. But it was Cuff's 25-yard TD reception from Joe Flacco with 13:53 left that broke a 20-20 tie after Delaware's Jeremy Kametz had blocked a Northeastern extra-point try. Delaware then clinched the victory with a 21-play, 91-yard drive that consumed 8:37 and culminated with Jon Striefsky's 19-yard field goal with 1:35 left.

Oct. 27, Annapolis: Delaware 59, Navy 52

Delaware began its critical four-game, season-ending stretch in memorable fashion, outscoring the I-A Midshipmen in front of 35,213 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Delaware scored on eight straight possessions before a final kneel down in the high-scoring shootout, and Joe Flacco demonstrated his NFL ability by completing 30 of 41 passes for a career-best 434 yards and four touchdowns. Omar Cuff rushed for 141 yards on 28 carries. And while the defense yielded 506 yards, it came up with two critical fumble recoveries and a stop on downs that helped spell the difference. A week later, Navy would end its 43-game losing streak against Notre Dame.

Nov. 3, Newark: Delaware 37, James Madison 34

The annual skirmish between CAA rivals lived up to its reputation, as Delaware got a fumble recovery and a stop on downs to thwart two late JMU possessions and secure the victory. Four Delaware takeaways spelled the difference, while the Hens had no turnovers, to help offset JMU's 403 rushing yards, the most against UD in 12 years. Joe Flacco was on target, completing 33 of 41 passes for 257 yards, including nine to Aaron Love for 94 yards. Omar Cuff rushed for 101 yards and Jon Striefsky tied a UD record he already shared by kicking three field goals.

Nov. 10, Newark: Richmond 62, Delaware 56 (5OT)

The longest game in UD history went to Richmond, as did the CAA South title, when Josh Vaughn scored on a 13-yard run for the Spiders and Delaware could not get in the end zone on its subsequent possession. It ended 38-38 in regulation, after Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco snuck in from the 1-yard line as time expired and Richmond celebrated, thinking the game had ended. Delaware had a chance to win it in the third OT but, after a high snap, Jon Striefsky missed his first field-goal try of the year, a 22-yarder that hit the upright. Omar Cuff had a school-record 48 carries for 189 yards, and Flacco's passes covered 375 yards.

Nov. 17, Villanova, Pa.: Villanova 16, Delaware 10

Knowing they could lock up a I-AA playoff berth with a victory, the Blue Hens could not come through, having their worst offensive performance of the year in the 41st meeting between rivals. Villanova won the new "Battle of the Blue" trophy when Joe Marcoux kicked a pair of 36-yard field goals in the final three minutes to break a 10-10 deadlock. The Wildcats had tied it early in the fourth quarter on a touchdown set up by Matt Dicken's 44-yard run on a fake punt. Delaware's only touchdown came on Joe Flacco's 3-yard pass to tight end Josh Baker late in the first half. The Hens put their postseason fate in the hands of the NCAA selection committee, which did feel their 8-3 record was worthy of a bid.

Nov. 23, Newark: I-AA first round, Delaware 44, Delaware State 7

Delaware put on an epic performance that the first-time visitors from Delaware State could neither subdue nor match but, afterward, were quick to laud. The Blue Hens' 44-7 victory in the first round of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, came before a vocal throng of 19,765, the largest to ever see a playoff game at cold and wind-lashed Delaware Stadium. A 20-0 first-quarter Delaware lead put DSU in a drastic situation. A 30-0 halftime cushion practically sealed the deal. Omar Cuff had a UD single-game-record 288 yards on 38 carries and scored four touchdowns. His 63 career rushing TDs are a Colonial Athletic Association record and his 33 rushing TDs this season set a I-AA mark. Joe Flacco completed 11 of 20 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown and wasn't sacked.

Dec. 1, Cedar Falls, Iowa: I-AA quarterfinals, Delaware 39, Northern Iowa 27

With an ice storm raging outside and the local airport closed, there was no place to go and no desire to leave the warm sanctuary of the UNI-Dome, despite the bellowing of 15,803 spectators. All the Blue Hens could do was make the most of their time there, which they did in unforgettable fashion with a dramatic turnaround that eventually stunned the previously unbeaten Panthers. Down 10-0 after UNI's first two series, Delaware rallied behind Joe Flacco's scrambling and passing, Omar Cuff's running and a defense that came to life with timely stops and three crucial takeaways. Delaware led 19-13 at halftime, then fell behind 20-19, but never trailed after Jon Striefsky's career-best 47-yard field goal made it 22-20 with 7:40 left in the third quarter. Flacco scored the clinching touchdown on a 1-yard quarterback sneak with 41 seconds left, closing a 10-play, 55-yard drive that had begun after a UNI touchdown with 5:12 remaining. Delaware did not want to give the football back, and it didn't until the victory was secured.

Dec. 8, Cardondale, Ill.: I-AA semifinals, Delaware 20, Southern Illinois 17

The Blue Hens brushed aside an early 10-point deficit for the second straight week as if it were a minor inconvenience. Then, they went about the business of humbling a highly regarded foe in front of an expectant, championship-starved home audience.This time, Southern Illinois suffered the wrath of Delaware, which won the NCAA Division I-AA football semifinal 20-17 with 11,503 fans in attendance and a national ESPN audience watching on TV. The Hens fell behind 10-0 and were down 10-7 at halftime. Delaware took its first lead at 14-10 on Joe Flacco's 9-yard touchdown pass to Kervin Michaud with 7:31 left in the third quarter. It culminated an 87-yard drive requiring just six plays and featured Flacco's 44-yard bomb to tight end Rob Agnone. The clincher, however, was Jon Striefsky's 24-yard field goal with 6:58 left that inched Delaware ahead 20-17. Delaware then stopped Southern Illinois on downs, with a group sack of quarterback Nick Hill on a fourth down-and-4 at the UD 29-yard line with 3:56 left.

 

[IE]

ASU at a glance


season recap

Sept. 1, Ann Arbor, Mich.: Appalachian State 34, Michigan 32

Julian Rauch's 24-yard field goal with 26 seconds left put Appalachian State University football ahead of the University of Michigan and Corey Lynch blocked a field goal in the final seconds to seal one of college football's biggest upsets as the Mountaineers prevailed. "We're still sort of shocked," coach Jerry Moore said after being carried off the field by his players. The two-time defending champions from Division I-AA were ahead of the nation's winningest program 28-14 late in the second quarter, but their storybook afternoon seemed to unravel late in the fourth quarter. Mike Hart's 54-yard run put the Wolverines ahead -- for the first time since early in the second quarter -- with 4:36 left.

Sept. 8, Boone, N.C.: Appalachian State 48, Lenoir-Rhyne 7

Top-ranked Appalachian State University scored touchdowns on each of its first five possessions and cruised to a win over Lenoir-Rhyne in front of a record crowd of 28,802. Appalachian added a field goal on its sixth possession to take a commanding 38-0 lead just over midway through the second quarter. From there, ASU pulled a number of its starters and threw just six more passes the rest of the way in cruising to the easy win. Making his first start in nearly a year, senior quarterback Trey Elder turned in a career performance, totaling 300 yards of offense and accounting for five touchdowns in just three quarters of play.

Sept. 15, Boone, N.C.: Appalachian State 34, Northern Arizona 21

Trey Elder totaled 298 yards of offense and Walter Payton Award candidate Kevin Richardson set career highs with seven receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns to lead top-ranked Appalachian State University to a victory over Northern Arizona. An overflow crowd of 27,104, the second-largest in Kidd Brewer Stadium history, saw Appalachian rack up a season-high 429 yards of total offense in the win. However, the Mountaineers' 17th straight victory and 29th in a row at home didn't come easy, as Northern Arizona (1-2) pushed the Apps from the beginning. NAU forced the Mountaineers into three straight three-and-out series to start the game and were outgaining the Apps 125-19 at one point en route to a 3-0 lead through one quarter. The damage could have been worse, but the Black and Gold defense held Northern Arizona to just three points on two trips inside the ASU 15-yard line in the opening period.

Sept. 22, Spartanburg, S.C.: Wofford 42, Appalachian State 31

No. 13 Wofford ran for 291 yards and converted 11 of 19 third-down attempts to knock off top-ranked Appalachian State University at Gibbs Stadium. Appalachian's first setback in 385 days snapped the nation's longest winning streak at 17 games. Appalachian, which trailed by 11 points three times in the second half, cut the deficit to 35-31 with 8:18 left to play on Kevin Richardson's second touchdown run of the day. Wofford (3-1, 1-0 SoCon) proceeded to run 6:03 off the clock with a 12-play drive, but Michael Hobbs' fumble at the ASU 7-yard line was recovered by Corey Lynch to give the Mountaineers one last chance with 2:15 remaining in the ballgame.

Sept. 29, Elon, N.C.: Appalachian State 49, Elon 32

Led by Kevin Richardson and senior quarterback Trey Elder, No. 5 Appalachian State University ran for 365 yards -- its highest total in seven years -- en route to a triumph over No. 24 Elon at sold-out Rhodes Stadium. Richardson registered his first 100-yard day of the season with 158 yards on 26 carries and Elder chipped in with a career-high 115 yards on 18 carries. The Mountaineers' 365 rushing yards were its most since racking up a school-record 424 in a 52-0 win over VMI on Nov. 4, 2000.

Oct. 6, Boone, N.C.: Appalachian State 45, Gardner-Webb 7

Led by Kevin Richardson's four second-quarter touchdowns, No. 5 Appalachian State University rattled off 38 unanswered points to defeat Gardner-Webb at sold-out Kidd Brewer Stadium. In front of a homecoming-record crowd of 27,428, Appalachian outgained Gardner-Webb (2-3) 466-211 to extend its home winning streak to 30 games. The home winning streak, which dates back to the beginning of the 2003 season, is the nation's longest in NCAA Division I-AA and the second-longest in all of Division I, behind only USC's 35-game winning streak at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Oct. 20, Boone, N.C.: Georgia Southern 38, Appalachian State 35

Despite 557 yards of total offense and a furious fourth-quarter rally, Appalachian State University's 30-game home winning streak came to an end with a heartbreaking loss to Georgia Southern at Kidd Brewer Stadium. No. 5 Appalachian fell behind by two touchdowns just over two minutes into the game .

Oct. 27, Greenville, S.C.: Appalachian State 34, Furman 27

Buck Buchanan Award candidate Corey Lynch's interception at the ASU 3-yard line as time expired sealed No. 10 Appalachian State University's win over Furman at Paladin Stadium. Appalachian jumped out to a 24-7 halftime lead and took a 14-point advantage into the fourth quarter but Furman's 20 second-half points left the outcome in doubt until the game's final seconds, as has become the norm in the ASU-FU rivalry. Early on, it appeared the showdown was going to be more like last season's 40-7 triumph in Boone than the previous seven games between the Mountaineers and Paladins that were decided by a total of just 21 points.

Nov. 3, Charleston, S.C.: Appalachian State 45, The Citadel 24

Quarterback Armanti Edwards rushed for a school-record 291 yards and led No. 9 Appalachian State University into a virtual tie for first place in the wild Southern Conference with 45-24 victory at The Citadel. Edwards' 291 yards came on just 21 carries (13.9 yards per rush), including touchdown runs of 80 (a career long and Appalachian's longest play of the season) and 25 yards. In the process, the sophomore also broke ASU's career record for rushing yards by a quarterback, needing just 20 games to amass 1,889 yards on the ground and obliterate the previous record of 1,621 racked up by current Mountaineer quarterbacks coach Scott Satterfield from 1992-95.

Nov. 10, Boone, N.C.: Appalachian State 79, Western Carolina 35

No. 7 Appalachian State University scored on each of its first eight possessions and went on to register its highest offensive output in 71 years in a rout over archrival Western Carolina at Kidd Brewer Stadium. With the victory, Appalachian kept custody of the Old Mountain Jug for the 21st time in 23 years and moved within one victory of its third-straight Southern Conference championship.

Nov. 17, Boone, N.C.: Appalachian State 37, Chattanooga 17

Kevin Richardson became Appalachian State University's all-time leading rusher and Appalachian claimed its third straight Southern Conference championship with a win over Chattanooga. Appalachian became just the sixth team in the 86-year history of the conference to win three consecutive conference titles, joining Duke (1943-45), West Virginia (1953-56), Chattanooga (1977-79), Furman (1980-83 and 1988-90) and Georgia Southern (1997-2002) as the only programs to accomplish the feat.

Nov. 24, Boone, N.C.: I-AA first round, Appalachian State 28, James Madison 27

Armanti Edwards scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:10 remaining and Gary Tharrington forced a fumble at the ASU nine yard line with just 22 seconds left to play to give fifth-ranked Appalachian State University a heart-stopping win over No. 12 James Madison at Kidd Brewer Stadium. The Mountaineers used big plays throughout the game to overcome disadvantages in nearly every statistical category, most notably time of possession, where James Madison (8-4) held a whopping 40:27-19:33 edge. JMU also boasted huge advantages in total plays (84-57), first downs (25-15), rushing yardage (312-204) and total yardage (436-330).

Dec. 1, Boone, N.C.: I-AA quarterfinals, Appalachian State 38, E. Washington 35

Quarterback Armanti Edwards accounted for 347 yards of offense and three touchdowns while Appalachian State University's defense limited Eastern Washington's potent aerial attack to a season-low passing output en route to a 38-35 triumph in an NCAA Division I Football Championship quarterfinal at Kidd Brewer Stadium. The Mountaineers led 21-7 at halftime and 38-21 with just over six minutes to go in the ballgame, but Eastern Washington (9-4) mounted a furious comeback to cut the deficit to just three points on Matt Nichols' two-yard touchdown pass to Matt Martin with 28 seconds remaining. However, ASU's Chase Laws recovered EWU's ensuing onside kick attempt to seal the Apps' victory.

Dec. 7, Boone, N.C.: I-AA semifinals, Appalachian State 55, Richmond 35

Quarterback Armanti Edwards set an NCAA Division I record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 313. The amazing performance also shattered Appalachian and Southern Conference rushing records for any position and was just 20 yards shy of the Division I-AA postseason record of 333, set by Georgia Southern's Adrian Peterson versus UMass in the quarterfinals of the 1999 playoffs. Edwards' 313 rushing yards came on 31 carries and included four touchdown runs. He also completed 14 of 16 passes for 182 yards and three scores. In all, the sophomore set ASU postseason records for rushing yards, total offense (495 yards) and touchdowns responsible for (seven) and tied the school's postseason marks for rushing and passing touchdowns. He also led the Mountaineers to school records for points, total yards (617), rushing yards (435), first downs (29) and touchdowns (8) in a postseason game.

 

[IE]

Postcard from Tennessee
Staff writer Kevin Tresolini offers his take on the Hens' trip.
Posted Friday, December 14, 2007

Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga's signature landmark, was shrouded by a cloud Thursday afternoon, which presumably undermined the whole looking out business. But after 48 hours in and around this town, and reading reports about the game and this team Delaware is playing, you can get kind of tired of the whole "Look out for Appalachian State" theme.

Yes, Appalachian State is very good and has won here the past two years.

Yes, the Mountaineers beat Michigan in a game that was a blessed event for all of NCAA Division I-AA football. The shocking thing about that was not the magnitude of the upset but, rather, how little the college football world knew of the strength of I-AA's top teams.

But here's what I keep thinking about App State: James Madison had it beaten in the first round of the playoffs but, thanks to a foolish fourth-down call and a last-minute fumble, let the Mountaineers off the hook and lost 28-27. Delaware, having won the past two weeks in difficult road environments, has another mountain to climb, but the summit is quite within its reach.

 

[IE]

The Matchup


OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK

BLUE HENS: As the season began, Joe Flacco had a chance to join the elite realm of Delaware quarterbacks, an exclusive group that is not easy to crack. All he has done is become, arguably, the best ever, no small task at UD. Flacco's passing acumen, poise under pressure and intelligence are primary reasons Delaware is in the title game, and capable of winning it.

APPALACHIAN STATE: Armanti Edwards (6-foot, 175 pounds, so.) is coming off one of the most amazing games in NCAA Division I-AA playoff history in a 55-35 semifinal win over Richmond: 313 yards rushing on 31 carries with four touchdowns; 14-of-16 passing for 182 yards and three more TDs. He's as capable with his legs as Flacco is with his arm.

Edge: Even

RUNNING BACK

BLUE HENS: ASU may be better defensively against the pass than against the run, meaning senior TB Omar Cuff is crucial to Delaware's success tonight. He needs three touchdowns to equal the NCAA all-divisions mark of 41 in a season and has never rushed for fewer than 100 yards in six career playoff games. If he breaks that record and continues that string, Appalachian State may be in trouble. But there really are no limits for Cuff.

APPALACHIAN STATE: Kevin Richardson (5-9, 190, sr.) might have been overshadowed some by Edwards, but he's excelled, too, gaining 1,230 yards on 236 carries (5.2-yard average) with 15 TDs. ASU's all-time leading rusher with 4,686 yards, he can hurt Delaware as much as Edwards.

Edge: Hens

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT END

BLUE HENS: This group is no fun to cover, even for a secondary as good as ASU's. WRs Mark Duncan, Aaron Love and Kervin Michaud and TEs Rob Agnone and Josh Baker give Flacco plenty of capable targets. They can't have many drops, and they need to hold on to the football when the inevitable hard hits come.

APPALACHIAN STATE: Hans Batichon (6-0, 170, sr.) is the prime target with 56 catches for 789 yards and seven TDs. Dexter Jackson (5-10, 180, sr.) has gained 628 yards on just 29 grabs, a hefty 21.7-yard average. The runners get the attention for ASU. The catchers aren't bad, either.

Edge: Hens

OFFENSIVE LINE

BLUE HENS: One of the Blue Hens' major concerns going into this game is the health of its front line, with minor injuries afflicting several players. How this group, led by All-American senior right tackle Mike Byrne, protects Flacco and paves the way for Cuff will determine if Delaware can win.

APPALACHIAN STATE: LG Kerry Brown (6-6, 310 sr.) is an All-American and C Scott Suttle (6-0, 260, sr.) is highly regarded, but they're hardly the only studs in the Mountaineers front. They're big and they can move, which they have to in ASU's offense. It's a major task for UD's defensive front.

Edge: Even

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINE

BLUE HENS: Delaware's depth has paid dividends of late and will have to again against a highly active ASU offensive line. DE Matt Marcorelle will be an important player in this game because of his ability to chase people down.

APPALACHIAN STATE: Not ASU's strongest defensive area, but a solid unit, nonetheless, featuring DE Gary Tharrington (6-1, 275, so.). He had 18 tackles for lost yardage, including five sacks.

Edge: Even

LINEBACKERS

BLUE HENS: Playmaking MLB Erik Johnson is coming off stellar efforts against Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois and will need to lead the way again. Forcing turnovers is a must.

APPALACHIAN STATE: MLB Jacque Roman (6-1, 240, so.) leads the defense -- he had 20 tackles in the first-round win over James Madison -- and OLBs Pierre Banks (6-0, 210, jr.) and D.J. Smith (6-1, 215, fr.) have been equally sinister to ball-carriers and pass-catchers.

Edge: Mountaineers

SECONDARY

BLUE HENS: In addition to being able to thwart ASU pass attempts, the UD secondary's biggest task might just be supporting the run defense, which puts the onus on safeties Charles Graves and Anthony Bratton to be at their best.

APPALACHIAN STATE: Buchanan Award candidate Corey Lynch (6-0, 205, sr.) simply is one of the nation's best. "He makes plays you can't draw up on the board because he shouldn't be there," UD coach K.C. Keeler said of Lynch's ability to read and react. Two other seniors join Lynch. But how will the suspension of fourth-year starting CB Justin Woazeah for an unspecified team rules violation hurt?

Edge: Mountaineers

KICKING GAME

BLUE HENS: Jon Striefsky has come through in clutch fashion at Northern Iowa, where he nailed 46- and 47-yard field goals inside the UNI-Dome, and again last week at Southern Illinois in less-favorable conditions. He blasted another 47-yarder, then won the game with a 24-yarder. Punter Stuart Kenworthy has 37.2-yard average.

APPALACHIAN STATE: Kicker Julian Rauch is stellar in his own right, making 17 of 21 field-goal attempts, with a long of 49 yards. Punter Neil Young has a 37.7-yard average.

Edge: Even

SPECIAL TEAMS

BLUE HENS: A big play here, which Delaware has been awaiting, would be a big boost for the Hens. Kervin Michaud has a 21.1-yard average on kickoff returns and Aaron Love's punt return average is 7.2 yards.

APPALACHIAN STATE: Southern Illinois returned a kickoff for a TD last week. ASU's Coco Hillary has a 95-yard return for a TD to his credit and a 24.2-yard average. Dexter Jackson has a 7.2 rate on punt runbacks. ASU also has blocked six kicks, including two against Michigan.

Edge: Mountaineers

COACHING

BLUE HENS: In 15 years as a college coach, K.C. Keeler has a team in the NCAA finals for the seventh time (five at Rowan and two at UD).

APPALACHIAN STATE: Jerry Moore is the winningest coach in Southern Conference history (166-70 at ASU) and is trying to make ASU the first team in the 30-year history of the I-AA tournament to win three straight titles.

EDGE: EVEN


INTANGIBLES

BLUE HENS: Delaware has overcome difficult odds to win the past two weeks at Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois, and will face similar challenges against the two-time champion, which will be backed by a huge crowd. It didn't affect the Hens the past two weeks. Why would it now?

APPALACHIAN STATE: The Mountaineers have been here, winning the past two years, which has to count for something. And the encouragement of a partisan crowd can't hurt.

EDGE: EVEN