BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State outside linebacker Noel Cook made his first career start on a big stage.
He had to wait a little longer than anticipated for his second act, but he came through with another strong performance.
After missing the 2018 opener at Penn State with an injury, Cook made his season debut at Charlotte and helped App State's defense keep the 49ers out of the end zone in a 45-9 victory. Playing for the first time since he recorded four tackles as a first-time starter during a 34-0 bowl shutout of Toledo nine months earlier, he recorded a sack immediately after delivering a behind-the-line stop and later broke up a pass with a jarring, open-field hit.