SEPTEMBER 9, 2010 ISSUE
Mountaineers Readying for Jacksonville
Home Opener at Kidd Brewer Stadium Saturday
The Mountaineers were down but not out, and they knew the difference.
ASU’s comeback from two 21-point deficits to beat Chattanooga 42-41 in the season opener on September 4 showed the players a little about their character.
“We know now because of that comeback that anything is possible,” said wide receiver Brian Quick.
The hope is that it doesn’t happen again. The Mountaineers play the season’s first home game at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 11, at Kidd Brewer Stadium against the Jacksonville Dolphins.
Coach Jerry Moore knew his players had the ability to mount the comeback and get the victory.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve been able to do that,” he said. “We had to score more points, obviously. These young men believe in themselves and have all the confidence in the world. They believed that they could.”
The one difference in last week’s comeback was the quarterback leading the way.
Junior DeAndre Presley, in his third career start, led the way for the Mountaineers, as he accounted for 365 offensive yards.
Moore said that Presley did a lot for the Mountaineers in that game.
“He did all the things we expected him to do. I was really pleased,” Moore said. “I’m sure his bucket was empty after the game.”
“We knew we had it in us, but it was kind of new with No. 2 back there,” Quick sad. “I knew he had it in him. He was calm, and he was playing great.”
Jacksonville comes into the game with a 1-0 record after knocking off Old Dominion 35-25 last week.
The Dolphins are a new program and two years ago played at Kidd Brewer Stadium, with the Mountaineers winning 56-7.
On that trip, Moore said that Dolphins officials were on more of a “fact-finding mission,” trying to see how a program was run and looking at ASU facilities.
“They won’t be on a fact-finding mission this time. They’re coming up here to try and win,” Moore said.
The Dolphins are coming off a 7-4 season and have 10 offensive starters back. They run the spread offense and are led by quarterback Josh McGregor, who threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns last week.
The running game is paced by Rudell Small, who ran for 118 yards and two scores last week.
ASU will get a boost to its running game on Saturday when Devon Moore returns to action. Moore was held out due to a quad injury that hampered him much of camp.
The preseason All-Southern Conference player rushed for 1,374 yards last season.
“He’ll play this week,” Coach Moore said. “I don’t know how long he’ll play, but he’ll play. It’s going to be great to have him back. His leadership is important, and his physical presence is important. He makes run that makes our team excited.”
For tickets or more information about ASU athletics, call 828-262-2079 or click to www.GoASU.com.
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