Vandals' foe has an App for winning

Appalachian State might be better known for its exploits in the Football Championship Subdivision, where it won three straight national championships from 2005-07, along the way upsetting Michigan, which used to be an FBS power.

The Mountaineers have made a seamless transition to the FBS as well.

In its first season in the Sun Belt, Appalachian State is 6-5, 5-2 in the conference as is hosts Idaho (1-9, 1-6) today in the season finale for both at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

While Idaho has lost its last three games, the Mountaineers come in on a five-game winning streak, including victories over Arkansas State and Lafayette.

“As much as anything, I think they’ve got a little mojo to them,” Idaho coach Paul Petrino said of Appalachian State. “They’ve got a belief now. Obviously their running back (Marcus Cox) is a real good player, but they beat Troy and Georgia State, and they kind of got on a roll. And then their last two games, beating two of the best teams in the league. That’s kind of how athletics is — you start winning, you have success, you’re more confident, you believe in what you’re doing. ... and then you start playing better.”

Appalachian State is in the second year of a two-year transition to FBS. The Mountaineers can start becoming bowl-eligible in 2015.

In addition to Cox, who has rushed for 1,293 yards and 17 touchdowns, Petrino said the Vandals also have to account for quarterback Taylor Lamb and his running ability.

“We need to run the ball a lot, shorten the game a bit,” Petrino said. “Make the game shorter, keep it tight, and find a way to win it in the fourth quarter.”