ODU 2025 Football Opponent Preview - Appalachian State

By David Asbury

Mountain-sized Homecoming 

In late October, right when the SBC East race is about to get spooky, the Monarchs will welcome back the Appalachian State Mountaineers to the Castle.  Although the 'Neers lead the all-time series 4 to 1, they did not enjoy their last trip to Norfolk losing to the Monarchs 28-21.  The edge in that game was to pound the rock on the ground against their soft front seven.  Can the Monarchs do it against a nearly brand new Mountaineer squad?

App. State Running back Kanye Roberts (14) returns to Norfolk and hopes to be a feature back.  Photo courtesy of CB Sports Photography.

After a few seasons of mediocrity with Shawn Clark, they bring in first time head coach Dowell Loggains.  Loggains was an NFL offensive coordinator and/or quarterback coach for five different NFL teams.  Most recently, he coached the offense for the South Carolina Gamecocks, overseeing the rise of LaNorris Sellers.  He plans to continue calling the offensive plays while in Boone.

The former 'Neers star-quarterback Joey Aguilar is not sticking around for the new coaching staff.  In the offseason he portaled to UCLA. And then after some money/NIL drama at Tennessee, he was essentially "traded" with Nico Iamaleava to be the Vol's new quarterback.  Giving Aguilar a huge opportunity to show his talent in the SEC. 

Meanwhile, App. State used the portal to their advantage to find their next quarterback.  A.J. Swann enters the Sun Belt as one of the most experienced transfer quarterbacks.  A former four-star recruit, Swann began his career at Vanderbilt, where he appeared in 15 games and made 12 starts. Between 2022 and 2023, he threw for 2,731 yards and 22 touchdowns.  He is quick and has an effortless release.  Swann is the likely starter over J.J. Kohl (Iowa State) and returnee Billy Wiles.  He has potential to lead a strong offense, if playmakers can arise and they might.

Not much returns from last season's offense.  They lost their star quarterback, top running back, top three receivers, and four starting offensive linemen.  Running back Kanye Roberts returns after rushing for 340 yards and one touchdown in 2024, as well as wide receiver Dalton Stroman who caught 20 catches and five touchdowns.  But after that, it is pretty much all new guys.  Arkansas-transfer running back Rashod Dubinion should have an instant impact after he ran for 888 yards over the last 3 seasons for the Razorbacks. He ran for an impressive 6 yards per carry in 2024 and has shown the ability to be a pass catcher out of the backfield as well. But Dubinion needs help both up front and from other playmakers.  There are a bunch more transfers that should help but the unit lacks a lot of experience.  Dowell Loggains has his work cut out for him in getting them to gel and finding the best pieces for this offensive puzzle.

Dalton Stroman (8) is the top returning receiver with 20 catches, 307 yards, and five touchdowns in 2024. Photo courtesy of CB Sports Photography.

Turning to the defense, the Mountaineers have a lot more returning contributors with five starters returning.  Unfortunately, none of which are on the defensive line.  The D-line struggled last year to get a push and stop the run, allowing 205 rushing yards per conference game (10th in SBC).  This year, they hope the new bigger guys upfront can manage improve their play in the trenches.  But still, it looks to be one of the Sun Belt's weaker defensive lines.

There are a good amount of linebackers returning including Kyle Arnholt (55 tackles) and Thomas Davis (36 tackles, 3 sacks).   The unit is on par with last years, especially after landing P4 transfers like Brayshawn Littlejon from Mizzou and Ja'Den McBurrows from Michigan.  But the secondary is even better.  Last year's pass defense was very good allowing only 194 passing yards per conference game (3rd in SBC).  That effort is led by 2nd team all-conference cornerback Ethan Johnson.  With other starters in the secondary returning, opposing teams better just keep the ball on the ground.

Linebacker Thomas Davis (15) returns after making 36 tackles in 2024 along with three sacks. Photo courtesy of CB Sports Photography.

Overall, the Mountaineers are down but not out.  There are enough new pieces (mostly on offense) to not expect a championship.  However, there are enough returning pieces (mostly on defense) where they will still be a pretty good Sun Belt team.  Phil Steele ranks them fourth in the SBC East, while CFBudge has them at 9th in the entire Sun Belt.  Vegas predicts 5.5 wins.  They draw Southern Miss. and Ark. State in the West avoiding the top-tier West teams and also play Charlotte from the AAC and FCS Lindenwood.  On the other hand, they have to travel to Old Dominion, James Madison and Boise State as well as host Pac-12 member Oregon State.  I like this team to reach six wins and go bowling but it is going to be a slog.

The Monarchs lost to the Mountaineers last season due to turnovers but otherwise outplayed them.  This ODU team is more talented than last years' unit and it appears that this App. State team brings in less talent.  The Monarchs should be favored at home during homecoming.  They just need to make sure they hold on to the ball and keep it on the ground to exploit that weak rush defense.