APP STATE GETS ANOTHER CHANCE AGAINST OLD DOMINION AFTER LAST YEAR'S HEARTBREAKER

Appalachian State will have more than the start of conference play on its mind when Old Dominion arrives at Kidd Brewer Stadium on Saturday.

The Mountaineers are set to face the Monarchs for the second consecutive season after Old Dominion escaped with a 24-21 victory in last year's meeting in Norfolk. With the rematch now taking place in Boone, App State has an opportunity to change the outcome of a game that slipped away late.

A THREE-POINT DIFFERENCE

The 2025 meeting was decided by just three points, with Old Dominion holding on for a 24-21 victory.

App State trailed 10-0 at halftime and was still behind 24-7 entering the fourth quarter. The Mountaineers, however, produced a late rally that made the final minutes particularly tense.

AJ Swann entered the game in relief and immediately helped change the momentum. He completed 12 of 16 passes for 140 yards and threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes.

Kanen Hamlett caught a 35-yard touchdown pass before Davion Dozier added a 34-yard touchdown reception with 1:35 remaining.

The comeback brought App State within three points, but Old Dominion recovered the ensuing onside kick to end the threat.

TURNOVERS PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE

One of the defining elements of last year's matchup was the turnover battle.

Old Dominion intercepted two App State passes that ended first-half scoring opportunities, including two possessions that reached deep into the red zone. One of those interceptions was converted into a touchdown.

The Monarchs finished the game with just one turnover, while App State struggled to protect the football.

App State's own postgame notes highlighted the importance of turnovers, noting that the Mountaineers fell to 1-3 in games in which they lost the turnover battle.

A DIFFERENT SETTING

This time, the game moves from Norfolk to Boone.

App State has historically performed well against Old Dominion at home, and the Mountaineers have won all three previous meetings between the teams at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

That gives Saturday's matchup a different environment from last year's contest, although the 2025 result remains the most recent chapter between the programs.

THE SERIES HAS BEEN CLOSE

The overall series currently stands at 4-2 in App State's favor, but recent meetings have been particularly competitive.

App State's athletics department noted that each of the last three matchups had been decided by eight points or fewer, with the home team winning each of those contests.

That history suggests Saturday's game could once again come down to a handful of important plays.

A CHANCE TO CHANGE THE STORY

For App State, this is not simply about revenge.

The Mountaineers have a new season, a new conference campaign and a different opportunity in front of them.

But the memory of last year's 24-21 defeat provides an additional storyline.

App State came close to completing a remarkable comeback in Norfolk but ultimately ran out of opportunities. This time, the Mountaineers will have home advantage and the chance to write a different ending.

The question is whether they can turn last year's narrow defeat into motivation when the two teams meet again in Boone.