This is the first all-time meeting between these schools and just the second Camellia Bowl. This game is played at the historic Cramton Bowl, which is best known as the site of the Blue-Grey Football Classic, played every year from 1938-2001. This is Appalachian State’s first ever bowl game after joining the FBS last year. Head coach Scott Satterfield will also be coaching in his first bowl game. Ohio missed out on a bowl last year after going for five straight years. Head coach Frank Solich is 2-4 SU/ATS in bowls at Ohio and was 3-3 SU/ATS in bowl games at Nebraska.
Appalachian State entered the season off six straight wins to close out last year and had an amazing 20 returning starters. They held undefeated Clemson to their second lowest yards total of the season in their expected loss, then reeled off six straight wins before falling to eventual SBC champ Arkansas State. The Mountaineers then closed the regular season with three straight wins. On the season they held five of their opponents to either their lowest or second lowest yards total and finished No. 15 in the FBS holding their foes to 75 yards per game less then their season average. Offensively they average 471 yards per game, including 269 (5.8) rushing yards per game and were sacked just nine times all season (3.4%)!
It’s been a season of streaks for Ohio, as they’ve won three straight twice and lost three straight once. They entered the season a serious contender for the MAC East title after returning 18 starters, which matched the most here under Solich. It wouldn’t be a complete season if Ohio didn’t have injuries and that happened again as quarterback Derrius Vick has missed the last two games (questionable and they had to move last years leading rusher AJ Ouellette to the defense to start a game at linebacker. They finished the regular season on a three game winning streak and over their last four games have averaged 499 yards per game, including 299 (5.5) rushing yards per game! Defensive back Ian Wells is their lone player to make either first or second team All-Conference honors.
Ohio was playing its best ball down the stretch and will be motivated by being more then a touchdown ‘dog here. The Bobcats have a large edge on special teams, while Appalachian State should have the crowd edge (sold out their initial allotment of tickets). The Mountaineers were plus 77 yards per game versus bowl teams (Ohio was minus 46 yards per game), but the Bobcats upset Marshall, only lost to Minnesota by three, and knocked Northern Illinois out of the MAC Title game.
Castro's Kingdom 