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Behind 244 rushing yards on 27 carries from Jalin Moore, Appalachian State (8-2, 5-1) methodically took care of Idaho (3-7, 2-5) 47-20 on Saturday in the Kibbie Dome.
Moore took the place of leading rusher Marcus Cox, who was dressed but didn't play due to a nagging knee injury, and carved up the Vandals' defense for three quarters.
The breakout game from Moore was part of a 415-yard rushing effort from the Mountaineers. That contributed to a 511-299 yard edge and 36:44-23:16 possession advantage on the day.
For Idaho, Matt Linehan finished 20-31 for 243 yards and two touchdowns.
App State scored on the third possession of the game on a wide-open pass to Barrett Burns. But before the end of the quarter, Elijah Penny escaped the backfield and hauled in a 15-yard catch to tie the game 7-7.
The Mountaineers then took the ball and finished on a Lamb pitch to Bobo Beathard for a 17-yard score. Idaho tried to answer, but had to settle for a 22-yard Austin Rehkow field goal to make it 14-10 App.
App State made it a two-score game on the next drive as Terrence Upshaw bulldozed in from one yard out to make it 21-10. The Vandals tried to drive, but again had to settle for a Rehkow 44-yard field goal as the half ended 21-13 App State.
Malachi Jones made it 28-13 early in the second half from 15 yards out and with the App defense shutting down the Vandals' offense, no answer was had. A 15-play, 93-yard drive that took 8:49 off the clock made it 35-13 late in the third quarter as Lamb found Montez McGurie on a nice fade route.
Pinpoint toss from @taylor_lamb11 to @EightFoe_Tez for the TD #Dime @AppState_FB @appstatesports pic.twitter.com/4kvAOm6QFg
— HERO Sports (@HeroSportsNews) November 15, 2015
Early in the fourth, Idaho got called for holding in their own end zone, giving App State a safety to make it 37-13. With the ball up 24, the backups were in as JP Caruso led the offense down the field, finding Bill Cecil from five yards out to make the score 44-13.
The Vandals were able to get a nice drive in, ending with a Trent Cowan 10-yard touchdown from Linehan to make it 44-20. After the surprise onside kick was recovered by App, Zack Matics added a 31-yard field goal late in the game to give us the 47-20 final score.
The win give App State a good day after the loss to Arkansas State loss going into their bye week. The loss for Idaho eliminates the Vandals from bowl consideration barring unforeseen circumstances. Idaho makes their third trip to the state of Alabama next week to face Auburn.