Appalachian State slogs past Miami (Ohio) 13-9 in the rain-soaked Cure Bowl

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Joey Aguilar punches in the opening TD for Appalachian State

Joey Aguilar rumbles in to the end zone to give Appalachian State a 13-3 lead over Miami (OH).

Dec 17, 2023, 12:19 am

ORLANDO, Fla. -- — Joey Aguilar threw for 197 yards and scored on an 8-yard run in the third quarter as Appalachian State beat Miami (Ohio) 13-9 on Saturday in the rain-soaked Avocados from Mexico Cure Bowl.

Aguilar's scoring run capped an 11-play, 73-yard drive and gave Appalachian State a 13-3 lead after Michael Hughes kicked field goals of 29 and 22 yards in the first half.

Miami (Ohio) (11-3) answered Aguilar's TD with a 23-yard touchdown by Rashad Amos, cutting its deficit to 13-9.

But the Redhawks squandered a potential chance to take the lead when backup running back Keyon Mozee fumbled on a short carry near midfield with 2:39 remaining. Miami (Ohio) never got the ball back.

The game was played as a steady rain soaked Central Florida and pools of water formed around midfield over the bowl logo and in the endzones. The conditions certainly affected play. There were 13 fumbles, with Appalachian State losing two and Miami (Ohio) losing three. Stadium officials said more than an inch-and-a-half of rain fell by halftime.

Appalachian State (9-5) rushed for 151 yards in the second half. Anderson Castle had 119 yards on 18 carries for the Mountaineers.

Amos had a career-best 180 yards on 33 carries and accounted for the Redhawks’ only TD. Graham Nicholson kicked a 34-yard field goal in the first quarter.

Miami (Ohio) struggled to get going offensively behind third string quarterback Henry Hesson, who was making his first career start.

The Mountaineers had a 332-227 advantage in total yards. Amos accounted for most of the Redhawks' total.

Appalachian State celebrated its victory by sliding through the water and mud covering the midfield logo.

RAINY DAY

The story entering the game was the anticipated storm that was set to hit Central Florida throughout the day Saturday. It indeed rained the entire game with pools of water forming around midfield over the painted-on logo and in the end zones.

That certainly affected play. There were 13 total fumbles in the game with Appalachian State losing two and Miami (Ohio) losing three in the game.

According to stadium officials, 1.61 inches of rain fell on the stadium by halftime.

Appalachian State celebrated their victory by sliding through the midfield logo.

FIRST START

Miami (Ohio) quarterback Henry Hesson made his first career start after starting quarterback Brett Gabbert suffered a season-ending right leg injury in October and second-string starter Aveon Smith opted to sit out the game and enter the transfer portal.

Hesson completed 5 of 8 passes for 16 yards.

Sophomore quarterback Maddox Kopp also came in during the second quarter for his second collegiate appearance and threw his first passes for the Redhawks. He completed only one of his two passes for 28 yards.

The Redhawks tallied 44 total pass yards in the game.

UP NEXT

Miami (Ohio) will be looking to settle their quarterback position with the hopeful return of Brett Gabbert after a season-ending injury to his right leg in October. The Redhawks' schedule next year features Power 5 conference road trips to Northwestern, rival Cincinnati and Notre Dame.

Appalachian State looks to build off a strong season with the return of junior quarterback Joey Aguilar as they look for their first Sun Belt championship since 2019. Their schedule next year includes a trip to play Clemson.

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