Michael Shipma
Sports Editor
It took three overtimes, but the Appalachian State football team held off Troy in Kidd Brewer Stadium by a score of 44-41 on Saturday, Oct. 31. It was Troy’s sixth loss of the year.
Sophomore quarterback Brandon Silvers once again led the offensive attack of the Trojans (2-6, 1-3 Sun Belt), racking up 265 passing yards and a touchdown on 27 of 41 attempts. In addition to his passing attack, the returning starter rushed for an additional pair of touchdowns against the Mountaineers (7-1, 4-0 Sun Belt), the top-seeded team in the Sun Belt.
The contest between the two conference opponents was a nail biter from start to finish. The sides traded scores the entire way, and neither seemed to gain an advantage for long.
With just over three minutes left in regulation, Silvers brought Troy level with Appalachian State, finding senior wide receiver Teddy Ruben on an 11-yard screen pass that went for a touchdown. Ruben’s sixth TD reception of the year made the score 31-31, forcing overtime in Boone, North Carolina.
Both teams swapped touchdowns and field goals in the first and second overtimes respectively, but it was not until senior kicker Zach Matics put a 24-yard attempt between the uprights that the Mountaineers were able to seal the victory.
The Trojans will return to Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7, when they take on ULM. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Troy falls 44-41 to Appalachian State in 3OT
