Derrick's Fourth-Down Pass to Heath A Testament To Preparation

BOONE, N.C. — Last weekend's opener featured a successful debut for more than one Appalachian State quarterback.

First-time starter Zac Thomas accounted for 313 total yards and three touchdowns in a 45-38 overtime loss to Penn State. He missed one fourth-quarter snap after taking a hard hit from three defenders.

Redshirt freshman Peyton Derrick stepped in and played for the first time in his App State career, firing a 22-yard pass to Dominique Heath in a fourth-and-2 scenario from the Penn State 24.

The Mountaineers trailed 24-10 at the time, and Derrick's clutch completion preceded a touchdown that was part of a 28-point fourth quarter. With a road game at Charlotte this weekend, his brief…