NC State returns to Carter-Finley Stadium, hoping to bounce back against a confident App State Mountaineers team off to a 3-0 start. Here are several names to watch for the Mountaineers ahead of this week's matchup.
QB Malachi Singleton — No. 3 | 6-1, 225 | Sr.
Malachi Singleton has given Appalachian State an efficient passing game, completing 74.5% of his passes for 889 yards (15th in the FBS), five touchdowns, and one interception. He has taken just three sacks while posting a 169.7 passer rating.
With Singleton at quarterback, the Mountaineers are averaging 36 points, 492.3 yards per game, and 6.7 yards per play. Passing plays have accounted for 43 of their 77 first downs. Known as a pocket passer with a strong arm, Singleton had a season-long 49-yard completion in Appalachian State’s 55-3 opener win over Maine. NC State’s best chance to disrupt him is to pressure the pocket while maintaining sound coverage against deep throws.
RB Jaquari Lewis — No. 5 | 5-10, 205 | So.
Jaquari Lewis has scored a rushing touchdown in each of Appalachian State’s first three games. He leads the Mountaineers with 188 rushing yards on 39 carries, averaging 4.8 yards per attempt. His busiest outing came against East Carolina, when he ran 17 times for 73 yards and a touchdown in a 27-24 win.
Lewis has added two catches for five yards, but his clearest role has been as App State’s leading ball carrier. NC State will need to make sure their tackling is improved from last week and keep the Mountaineers from leaning on him to sustain drives.
WR Sam Pickett III — No. 0 | 6-0, 185 | So.
Sam Pickett III has been Appalachian State’s leading receiver through three games, catching 15 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns. Both scores came in the Mountaineers’ 55-3 win over Maine, but he has continued to produce since then. Pickett had four catches for a season-high 86 yards against East Carolina and six for 67 yards against Charlotte.
He averages 15.3 yards per catch, making him a threat to turn a completion into a sizable gain. NC State’s secondary will need to key in on him and make sure they limit him as an explosive play machine.
DL Caleb Sandstrom — No. 41 | 6-3, 250 | Sr.
Caleb Sandstrom has been Appalachian State’s most productive pass rusher through three games. He has four of the Mountaineers’ five sacks and leads the team with five tackles for loss despite recording just eight total tackles.
His biggest game came in a 27-24 win at East Carolina, where he recorded two sacks for 20 yards. Sandstrom has recorded a sack in every game, giving NC State a consistent threat to account for when they drop back to pass. The Wolfpack will need to keep him from getting a clean path to CJ Bailey on passing downs.
LB Colton Phares — No. 10 | 6-2, 225 | Sr.
Colton Phares leads Appalachian State with 16 tackles through three games and has contributed against both the run and pass. He recorded six tackles against East Carolina, then made a season-high six against Charlotte, including five solo stops and a tackle for loss. Phares also has a sack, an interception, and two pass breakups this season. His production makes him a player NC State must account for whether they run the ball or throw underneath. The Wolfpack can challenge him by using misdirection and getting blockers to the second level before he reaches Duke Scott, Davion Gause, or Will Wilson.
Game Notes for App State:
Record: 3-0, with wins over Maine, East Carolina, and Charlotte.
Offense: 36 points and 492.3 yards per game, including 320.0 passing yards and 172.3 rushing yards.
Passing production: 43 of the Mountaineers’ 77 first downs have come through the air.
Defense: 16 points and 304.7 yards allowed per game.
Takeaways: Five interceptions and one fumble recovery through three games.
Third downs: Opponents have converted 9 of 39 attempts, a 23% success rate.
App State is 14-38 on third-down offense but 4-5 on fourth-down conversions.
Redzone Offense: 14 of 16 (scores-attempts)
Possession: App State has held the ball for an average of 34:14 per game.
For NC State to get a dominant win against App State, they need to keep the Mountaineers’ offense off the field as much as possible.
