University of Richmond Athletics
Richmond Falls To Appalachian State In FCS Semifinal
Dec. 7, 2007
BOONE, N.C. (AP) - Appalachian State began the season by stunning Michigan and will end it playing for a record third straight national championship.
The Mountaineers can thank their elusive and versatile quarterback for their latest victory.
Armanti Edwards rushed for 313 yards and four touchdowns and threw for 182 yards and three more scores as Appalachian State advanced to the Football Championship Subdivision title game with a 55-35 win over Richmond Friday night.
Edwards, a sophomore, dominated on the ground as the Mountaineers built a 21-point lead. After Richmond rallied to tie, Edwards went to the air to put it away.
His 29-yard TD pass to tight end Nic Cardwell with 10 minutes left made it 49-35. His 13-yard TD pass to Cardwell with 5:27 left iced it.
Edwards' rushing yards were the most by a quarterback in FCS - formerly Division I-AA - history, and 18 shy of the playoff rushing record. He also completed 14 of 16 passes in a nearly flawless performance that ended with the fans tearing down the goal posts, the same way they did when the Mountaineers won at Michigan in September.
Behind Edwards' shiftiness and quick bursts of speed, Appalachian State (12-2) won its fifth straight game and will play the winner of Saturday's Delaware-Southern Illinois game for the title Friday in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Eric Ward threw for 208 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two more scores for Richmond (12-3), which had its eight-game winning streak snapped in its first FCS semifinal appearance.
Spiders career-rushing leader Tim Hightower finished with 97 yards on 22 carries.