App State Football is gearing up for its first Sun Belt Conference home game of the 2025 season. Coming off a thrilling victory against Oregon State, the Mountaineers look to maintain their momentum against Coastal Carolina. With a record of 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the Sun Belt Conference, App State aims to impress its home crowd in a sold-out game.
Homecoming Highlights
The matchup will take place at 3:30 p.m. in Kidd Brewer Stadium. Fans are encouraged to wear gold to support a unified theme for homecoming. Many will bring back rally towels from the previous Oregon State win, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere.
Throwback Uniforms
App State will wear vintage gold pants, black jerseys, and black helmets featuring the classic “Flying Yosef” logo. This logo was a staple from 1983 to 1988 under coaches Mack Brown and Sparky Woods. Jerry Moore later popularized the Block A logo during his tenure starting in 1989.
Notable Homecoming Celebrations
The weekend also encompasses Hall of Fame celebrations. Two former players, Dexter Jackson and DJ Smith, will be honored for their contributions to the championship-winning 2007 FCS team. Smith currently serves as the first-year defensive coordinator under head coach Dowell Loggains.
Game Strategy and Performance
Loggains emphasized the importance of resilience and collective teamwork in the recent games. The Mountaineers have shown improved performance with a 31-0 lead against Georgia State, managing to avoid turnovers in their last two outings. Quarterback JJ Kohl, stepping in for an injured AJ Swann, has thrown five touchdowns and amassed 527 passing yards.
Coastal Carolina Comes to Town
Coastal Carolina, with a record of 3-3 and 2-1 in the Sun Belt, poses a significant challenge. The Chanticleers have achieved their victories by double-digit margins. However, they have faced difficulties in losses, including a 48-7 defeat against Virginia.
Key Players for Coastal Carolina
- Quarterback Tad Hudson, a former North Carolina player, has recently started but is listed as questionable for this game.
- Running back Ja’Vin Simpkins has been pivotal, rushing for 205 yards in their three wins.
- Defensively, Coastal utilizes a three-safety formation and has forced multiple turnovers, with a total of eight takeaways this season.
Looking Ahead
This matchup marks the 14th consecutive sellout for the Mountaineers at home. It also signifies their first Saturday game against Coastal Carolina since 2020. The teams have previously faced off in nationally televised games on weekdays.
Loggains remains optimistic about his team’s ability to improve, focusing on minimizing mistakes and building confidence. As they prepare for this crucial homecoming showdown, the Mountaineers aim to rediscover their winning ways against a formidable opponent.
