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It took a late rally, but thanks to a 1-yard plunge by Mark Walton into the endzone with 3 minutes to spare, the Miami Hurricanes (2-1) bounced back from a tough loss against FAU to defeat Appalachian State, 21-17, in front of a near-capacity crowd of 26,000 fans.
"This was a big step for the team today," embattled and exhausted head coach Al Golden told reporters following the game. "This was a really well coached Appalachian State team, and we made sure not to rise to the occasion. Players fell back on their training. We aren't there yet, but I'm really proud of these guys."
The Mountaineers (1-2) appeared destined to send the Hurricanes packing with a loss until Chad Thomas fortuitously scooped up a fumble to set up the game-winning score.
"Really proud of Chad," Golden stated. "He's up to 296 now, he's starting to get it."
The Hurricanes were led by Joseph Yearby, who ran for 71 yards on 22 carries, as well as Walton, who ran 8 times for 11 yards and 3 scores.
"Mark is really starting to get it," Golden said. "He's up to 226, learning to really fight through. He's our goal-line back, and we just wanted him to follow the blocks behind Alex Gall. Really proud of his efforts today."
The defense was led by Frank Gabriel, who had 4 tackles, including a potential game-saver on a 70-yard scamper by Appalachian State quarterback Taylor Lamb that stopped the Mountaineers at the 19 yard line and eventually held Appalachian State to a field goal.
"Frank embodies everything that we want our defensive players to exude," Golden told reporters after the game. "His effort, his want-to, he has the discipline needed within this defense to succeed. He's up to 254, really showing the work in the weight room"
Freshman sub Shaq Quarterman set the tone early with a hard shot on the opening kickoff, which seemed to energize the Hurricanes, but frustrate Golden.
"Shaq's got potential to be a good one for us," Golden said, wiping sweat from his countenance. "We wanted to sit him after that tackle because he wasn't in his lane and we need better integrity within our kickoff unit."
Quarterback Brad Kaaya was 31-34 for 170 yards, including seven consecutive screen passes to Darrell Langham that gave the Hurricanes two crucial first downs late in the fourth quarter to set up Walton's game-winner.
"We really wanted Stacy [Coley] to spring some big blocks for Darrell, and he's not there yet. But really proud of Darrell for trusting his training and fighting for those first downs," Golden said, before adding, "and just great work by Brad. He was at 225 this offseason but it was bad weight, so we have him at 192 and he's getting there."
The Hurricanes now have a bye week before taking on Georgia Tech (3-0) on October 2, in what Coach Golden dubbed a "must-win game".
"This was a big step for the team today," embattled and exhausted head coach Al Golden told reporters following the game. "This was a really well coached Appalachian State team, and we made sure not to rise to the occasion. Players fell back on their training. We aren't there yet, but I'm really proud of these guys."
The Mountaineers (1-2) appeared destined to send the Hurricanes packing with a loss until Chad Thomas fortuitously scooped up a fumble to set up the game-winning score.
"Really proud of Chad," Golden stated. "He's up to 296 now, he's starting to get it."
The Hurricanes were led by Joseph Yearby, who ran for 71 yards on 22 carries, as well as Walton, who ran 8 times for 11 yards and 3 scores.
"Mark is really starting to get it," Golden said. "He's up to 226, learning to really fight through. He's our goal-line back, and we just wanted him to follow the blocks behind Alex Gall. Really proud of his efforts today."
The defense was led by Frank Gabriel, who had 4 tackles, including a potential game-saver on a 70-yard scamper by Appalachian State quarterback Taylor Lamb that stopped the Mountaineers at the 19 yard line and eventually held Appalachian State to a field goal.
"Frank embodies everything that we want our defensive players to exude," Golden told reporters after the game. "His effort, his want-to, he has the discipline needed within this defense to succeed. He's up to 254, really showing the work in the weight room"
Freshman sub Shaq Quarterman set the tone early with a hard shot on the opening kickoff, which seemed to energize the Hurricanes, but frustrate Golden.
"Shaq's got potential to be a good one for us," Golden said, wiping sweat from his countenance. "We wanted to sit him after that tackle because he wasn't in his lane and we need better integrity within our kickoff unit."
Quarterback Brad Kaaya was 31-34 for 170 yards, including seven consecutive screen passes to Darrell Langham that gave the Hurricanes two crucial first downs late in the fourth quarter to set up Walton's game-winner.
"We really wanted Stacy [Coley] to spring some big blocks for Darrell, and he's not there yet. But really proud of Darrell for trusting his training and fighting for those first downs," Golden said, before adding, "and just great work by Brad. He was at 225 this offseason but it was bad weight, so we have him at 192 and he's getting there."
The Hurricanes now have a bye week before taking on Georgia Tech (3-0) on October 2, in what Coach Golden dubbed a "must-win game".
