The Areas App State Must Fix Before Facing NC State

App State is 3-0 for the first time since 2019 after defeating Charlotte 26-21, but the victory also exposed several areas the Mountaineers will need to clean up before stepping into their next challenge at NC State.

The Mountaineers controlled much of the contest and built a 26-7 lead early in the fourth quarter. However, Charlotte scored twice in the final seven minutes and turned the game into a five-point affair before App State recovered an onside kick to close it out.

With NC State next, there is little room for the kind of late-game uncertainty App State experienced against Charlotte.

Finish Games Better

The biggest concern is obvious, App State needs to become better at closing out games. After taking a 26-7 lead, the Mountaineers allowed Charlotte to score a touchdown and two-point conversion before Collin Gill returned an interception 36 yards for another touchdown with 1:58 remaining.

App State ultimately held on, but allowing a 19-point lead to shrink to five is something the coaching staff will want to address. Against a more dangerous opponent, similar lapses could turn a comfortable lead into a difficult finish.

Cut Down the Penalties

Discipline is another area that needs attention. App State was penalized 10 times for 98 yards against Charlotte. Several penalties wiped away potentially productive plays, including a 70-yard touchdown pass that was nullified by an ineligible-man penalty.

The Mountaineers also had false-start penalties and other costly infractions during important drives.

Those mistakes become particularly dangerous when facing an ACC opponent. App State cannot afford to repeatedly give away field position or erase explosive plays because of avoidable penalties.

Protect the Football

Malachi Singleton played an excellent game statistically, throwing for a career-high 331 yards and two touchdowns. But his interception in the fourth quarter was returned 36 yards for a Charlotte touchdown. That play completely changed the complexion of the game. Singleton has generally protected the football well this season, with just one interception through three games, but the lesson from Charlotte is clear: when App State has control of a game, protecting possessions becomes even more important.

Improve Red-Zone Efficiency

The Mountaineers moved the football effectively, finishing with 435 total yards and 22 first downs. However, there were opportunities to turn that production into more points.

App State reached the Charlotte 1-yard line in the third quarter but failed to score on downs before later finding the end zone.

Against NC State, converting more of those opportunities into touchdowns could be critical.

Keep Building Around Singleton

Not everything needs fixing. Singleton completed 28 of 42 passes for 331 yards and two touchdowns while connecting with 10 different receivers. Chris Lofton also emerged with six catches for 90 yards and a touchdown.

The priority should be to keep that passing attack efficient while reducing the mistakes around it.

App State has already shown it can produce offensively and play strong defense. The next step is consistency.

At 3-0, the Mountaineers have put themselves in a strong position early in the season. But NC State will provide a different level of test, and the Charlotte game showed exactly where App State needs to be sharper.