news-record.com

BOONE -- Dexter Jackson inexplicably fielded the first punt of the game at his 2-yard line. Later he dropped a sure touchdown catch without a defender within 10 yards of him.

Things were a little off all day for Appalachian State, but the Mountaineers turned two fourth-quarter turnovers into touchdowns Saturday and pulled away for a 34-21 victory over Northern Arizona. Appalachian extending its winning streak to 17 games.

Two weeks after stunning Michigan, the Mountaineers (3-0) held a 7-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

"It got a little frustrating," said Trey Elder, who threw three touchdown passes and rushed for 82 yards.

But the defense and special teams allowed Appalachian to take control. Two plays after Justin Woazeah intercepted Lance Kriesien, Elder's screen pass to Kevin Richardson turned into a 47-yard score.

Five minutes later, punt returner K.J. Gerard's fumble was scooped up by Cortez Gilbert and returned 32 yards for a 34-13 lead with 4:40 left.

Richardson, a running back, made seven catches for 122 yards and two TDs. Elder, filling in for injured starter Armanti Edwards, threw for 216 yards. Coach Jerry Moore thinks Edwards, who has a sore shoulder, will play next weekend in a Southern Conference opener at Wofford.

Northern Arizona 3 3 7 8 -- 21

Appalachian State 0 14 6 14 -- 34

NA--FG Dehaze 38

App--K.Richardson 34 pass from T.Elder (Rauch kick)

NA--FG Dehaze 39

App--Batichon 12 pass from T.Elder (Rauch kick)

App--FG Rauch 30

App--FG Rauch 20

NA--Moore 18 pass from Kriesien (Dehaze kick)

App--K.Richardson 47 pass from T.Elder (Rauch kick)

App--Gilbert 32 fumble return (Rauch kick)

NA--Kriesien 1 run (Rauschert run)

A--27,104.

Northern Arizona Appalachian

First downs 20 17

Rushes-yards 42-234 47-213

Passing 171 216

Comp-Att-Int 14-35-1 15-22-0

Return Yards 0 10

Punts-Avg. 6-48.7 7-37.0

Fumbles-Lost 4-1 1-0

Penalties-Yards 5-30 5-44

Time of possession 27:51 32:09

Individual Statistics

RUSHING--N. Arizona, Kriesien 15-129, Henderson 11-65, Scott 12-46, Fitzpatrick 1-5, Team 3-(minus 11). Appalachian St., T.Elder 19-82, Moore 9-68, K.Richardson 15-58, Courman 1-5, Hill 1-0, Hillary 2-0.

PASSING--N. Arizona, Kriesien 14-35-1-171. Appalachian St., T.Elder 15-22-0-216.

RECEIVING--N. Arizona, Fitzpatrick 4-49, Moore 4-38, Scott 2-64, Mahone 1-8, Rauschert 1-8, Theus 1-4, Watson 1-0. Appalachian St., K.Richardson 7-122, Batichon 3-54, Jo.Johnson 2-22, Courman 2-6, Cardwell 1-12.