College Sports

Late TD run by Peoples lifts App State to 17-13 victory

Posted November 14, 2020 6:00 am

Associated Press

Appalachian State quarterback Zac Thomas is sacked by Georgia State's Jordan Strachan in the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Boone, N.C. (Walt Unks/Winston-Salem Journal via AP) The Associated Press

BOONE, N.C. (AP) - Camerun Peoples scored on a 10-yard touchdown run with just under five minutes remaining as Appalachian State came from behind for a 17-13 win, foiling an upset bid by Georgia State in a bruising game on Saturday.

Peoples dragged safety Chris Moore with him over the goal line.

The Mountaineers (6-1, 4-0 Sun Belt Conference) lost quarterback Zac Thomas to injury when he was tackled while scrambling out of bounds during the game-winning drive. Jacob Huesman came off the sidelines, promptly hit Peoples with a screen pass for 12 yards and finished an 11-play, 77-yard drive for App State's first lead of the game.

Georgia State (3-4, 2-4) took the opening kick 75 yards in 13 plays and grabbed a 7-0 lead when Cornelious Brown IV tossed a 19-yard pass to Sam Pinckney.

Georgia State led 10-3 at halftime, outgaining the Mountaineers 211 yards to 89.

The scrappy comeback sets up next week's nationally televised clash between Appalachian State and undefeated No. 15 Coastal Carolina for first place in the Sun Belt's East Division.

Thomas was transported to the hospital for evaluation. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 146 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He moved into fifth place for App State in career passing yards.

Georgia State held the Mountaineers to 131 yards rushing, well below the average of 283.2 per game that had them ranked No. 3 in the nation. Jordan Strachan recorded a sack of Thomas - a GSU season-record sixth.

The game was played before 2,170 fans in Kidd Brewer Stadium.

Georgia State quarterback Cornelious Brown IV throws in the first half during an NCAA football game, against Appalachian State Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Boone, N.C. (Walt Unks/Winston-Salem Journal via AP) The Associated Press

Appalachian State's Jordan Earle (99), D'Marco Jackson (52), and Ryan Huff (21) takedown Georgia State running back Destin Coates in the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Boone, N.C. (Walt Unks/Winston-Salem Journal via AP) The Associated Press

Appalachian State tight end Henry Pearson is taken down by Georgia State's Trajan Stephens-McQueen (6) and Victor Heyward (37) after a first-half reception during an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Boone, N.C. (Walt Unks/Winston-Salem Journal via AP) The Associated Press

Appalachian State running back Camerun Peoples drags Georgia State safety Chris Moore with him as he scores a touchdown during an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Boone, N.C. (Walt Unks/Winston-Salem Journal via AP) The Associated Press

Appalachian State tight end Henry Pearson dives for the endzone pylon for a touchdown after getting past Georgia State's Quavian White during an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Boone, N.C. (Walt Unks/Winston-Salem Journal via AP) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.