Trey Elder may return under center vs. Lumberjacks
By Steve Behr

sports@wataugademocrat.com

The same question that lingered over No. 1 Appalachian State (2-0) last week remains: Just who will start at quarterback this Saturday against Northern Arizona (1-1) at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

If Wednesday’s practice is any indication, it will likely be backup Trey Elder, who will be making his second start this season. Elder got the majority of reps while running the Mountaineers’ first-team offense and looked sharp in the process.

Armanti Edwards, who started against Michigan, but sat out Appalachian State’s 48-7 win over Lenoir-Rhyne, got some work in Wednesday, but not nearly the reps Elder did. Edwards, a lefty, was resting a sore left shoulder while Elder was leading the Moun-taineers to six straight scoring drives against the Bears.

Head coach Jerry Moore said he was not sure who would be the starter, but felt good that he had a backup in Elder who could lead the offense with no dropoff in efficiency.

“We don’t know,” Moore said about Edwards’ status. “He practiced (Wednesday). He’ll get treatment like he did. We’ll see how he feels Saturday.

“We’re fortunate, we’re blessed that we’ve got two guys like that, and CoCo Hillary can play there. It’s not like it’s the end of the rainbow. We’re all right.”

Elder said he’s preparing like he’s going to be the starter, but said he did not know who would take the snaps Saturday.

“I’m not sure,” Elder said Wednesday. “It’s still day-to-day. Coach Moore will make a decision soon”
Edwards could play if necessary, but for now, is taking a cautious approach to returning. The Mountaineers open Southern Conference play at Elon next Saturday and at Wofford the week after.

“I’m feeling good right now,” Edwards said. “It’s just day-by-day now. I don’t want to do any little thing to mess it up.”

It’s a chance for Appalachian State to finally begin its Football Championship Subdivision season. The Mountaineers opened with a 34-32 win over Football Bowl Subdivision Michigan and then followed with their win over Division II Lenoir-Rhyne.

Northern Arizona is a program that many feel can compete with Montana and Montana State for a Big Sky championship.

“They come out of the Big Sky and that’s a conference that everybody can relate to,” Moore said.

“We prepared the same way we prepared for Michigan and for Lenoir-Rhyne,” Elder said. “We got out and work on what our coaches game-plan for and come out and work hard for two-and-a-half hours every Tuesday and Wednesday.”

Northern Arizona coach Jerome Souers said he would like to see how his team stacks up to an Appalachian State squad that has won 16 straight games, the longest streak in Division I, and has won 28 straight at home.
“We’re an emerging program,” Souers said. “To get a game of the caliber of Appalachian State on the schedule shows where we are and where we need to be. Appalachian State is the FCS measuring stick.”

Appalachian State a Lumberjacks team that beat Division II Western New Mexico 47-0 their opener, but lost to Arizona 45-24 last Saturday. Moore said they have good speed on defense and that offensively, Northern Arizona runs a similar spread offense the Mountaineers use.

“Offensively, they’re just like us,” Moore said. “Defensively, they’re a lot like Montana State was. They can run well. They’re a lot like us.”

Starting quarterback Lance Kriesien ran for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter against Arizona after the Wildcats had taken a 45-10 lead. The first half was much closer as Arizona led the Lumberjacks 10-3 at halftime.

Kriesien hit 22-of-39 passes for 187 yards, but no touchdowns. Alex Watson caught 10 passes for 47 yards.
Souers rejected the idea that Northern Arizona’s offense is just like Appalachian State’s.

“I think there are some differences,” Souers said. “They look similar, but there are some differences. Appalachian State is a little farther in development than we are. We’re breaking in a new quarterback, so we’re not as far along as Appy’s offense.”

Souers said the Mountaineers’ team speed, which was instrumental in their 34-32 win at Michigan two weeks ago, is similar Arizona’s team speed.

“They’re not at tall, but their speed is pretty spectacular compared to Arizona,” he said.

Moore said left tackle Mario Acitelli will play Saturday. He was also held out of the Lenoir-Rhyne game to recover from the Michigan game.