On a day that tied for App State’s latest home opening football game since 1972, the Mountaineers dominated the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs, finishing with a final score of 72-7.
Things started off quickly with redshirt sophomore quarterback Zac Thomas completing his first pass attempt to graduate transfer receiver Dominique Heath for 64 yards and a touchdown. The defense then forced a three-and-out from Gardner-Webb, and redshirt freshman cornerback Steven Jones blocked and recovered their punt in the end zone, giving the Mountaineers a 14-0 lead less than three minutes into the game, which they never gave up.
After the game, head coach Scott Satterfield said that he felt like the starters came out ready to play and perform from the get go, but was even happier with the play from the second and third stringers who got into the game in the second half.