Bulldogs still searching for playmakers

BOONE, N.C. — Since spring practice, Citadel football coach Kevin Higgins has been talking about the need for playmakers to emerge alongside All-America receiver Andre Roberts.

In a 47-21 loss to Appalachian State on Saturday, that need was thrown into sharp relief.

With the Mountaineers focusing their coverage on Roberts — and limiting him to six catches for a season-low 52 yards — The Citadel's offense sputtered.

Quarterback Bart Blanchard was 17 of 41 for 172 yards with one interception and one TD, and the Bulldogs totaled just 245 yards, another season low.

"They did a nice job of taking away the things we like to do," Higgins said. "We've got one outstanding player in Andre, and they did a good job of defending him while also getting pressure on the quarterback, and that hurt us.

"As we've said from day one, we still have to find some playmakers on offense to complement Andre. That's critical, and if we don't do that, it will be a real challenge. We have to hope some guys emerge there."

Slot receiver Josh Haney had a tough day. He dropped a third-down pass that would have gone for a first down just before a punt snap eluded punter Mark Kaspar, setting up App State's third TD. And a pass that went through Haney's hands was picked off by App State linebacker Pierre Banks, leading to the Mountaineers' fifth score and a 34-7 deficit.

Receiver Scott Flanagan did get loose for a 43-yard gain on a pass from Blanchard, and tight end Alex Sellars caught his first TD pass.

"They were pressing up on me with the corners and had a safety over the top," Roberts said. "But I still have to be able to get off of press coverage and make plays."

Freshman running back Asheton Jordan ran 11 times for 47 yards, but the Bulldogs could not stick with the running game after falling quickly behind.

"He did a good job," Higgins said. "He's maturing and growing up a little bit. And I did think we had the running game going early."

Running backs Cody Wilson and Rickey Anderson did not make the trip. Wilson was injured in last week's win over Western Carolina, and Anderson was hurt during practice last week. Freshman Terrell Dallas was Jordan's backup and had three carries for 11 yards.

Snap decision

Punter Kaspar said he should have caught the snap from Bobby Jarvis that went over his head and set up App State's third TD.

"It was a little high, but I got a little complacent," Kaspar said. "Bobby's been snapping great this whole year, and I got a little complacent. I was expecting a great snap, and it was a little high. But I should have had it. It wasn't high enough that I couldn't get to it, so that one was on me."

Extra points

--Andre Roberts, already The Citadel's career leader in receptions, added the career receiving yards mark Saturday. He has 2,109 yards, breaking Victor Frazier's mark of 2,078 from 1982-85 ... Cornerback Ryan Jones sprained his left ankle late in the game.

--App State receivers Matt Cline and T.J. Courman had combined for one carry in the first four games, but on Saturday combined for 67 yards on seven carries. Cline ran four times for 49 yards and caught a 25-yard TD pass ... App State QB Armanti Edwards became just the 12th quarterback in Division I history with 3,000 rushing yards and 3,000 passing yards.

--App State's 41 points in the first half were the most allowed by The Citadel in one half since Florida State scored 45 in the second half of a 62-10 win in 2005 ... A moment of silence was held before the game in honor of 2002 App State grad Richie Cliff, a U.S. soldier who went to Wando High School and was killed recently in Afghanistan.