App State Hosts Marshall in Crucial Sun Belt Showdown on Heroes Day

Boone, North Carolina — Appalachian State hosts Marshall in a pivotal Sun Belt Conference matchup Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium. The sold-out Black Saturday game kicks off at 2:30 PM ET on November 22, 2025. This occasion also marks Heroes Day, celebrating the legendary 2005 national championship team.

App State (4-6, 1-5) is looking to recover after a significant loss to James Madison (58-10) on November 15. The Mountaineers lost their starting quarterback AJ Swann to injury, and JJ Kohl will lead the team against a Marshall squad that is performing well offensively.

Marshall (5-5, 3-3) is coming off a victory over Georgia State, winning 30-18 last week to even its record. After starting the season 0-2, the Thundering Herd has secured five wins in their last eight games, driven by an explosive offense that features dual-threat quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson.

The historical rivalry adds stakes, as the home team has won every contest in the last five years. App State’s defense has been solid against the run, allowing only 135.0 yards per game, ranking second in the conference. Both teams are vying for bowl eligibility as the season draws to a close.

Marshall seeks this victory to ensure its chances of postseason play, needing to win out. Meanwhile, App State’s four-game losing streak has cast doubt on their bowl hopes, but the excitement of Heroes Day could serve as an emotional boost.

Celebrations will honor App State’s 2005 national championship team, which had a record of 13-1 and was coached by Jerry Moore. Current players may find inspiration from their predecessors as they face a formidable opponent in Marshall.

Marshall’s defense will test App State’s offense, having created 20 turnovers this season. Noteworthy recent games featured five takeaways against Old Dominion and three against both Texas State and Georgia State. App State will need to safeguard the ball to succeed.

In individual stats, Carlos Del Rio-Wilson has thrown for 1,761 yards, 17 touchdowns, and three interceptions this season, including a standout performance against Georgia State where he completed 22 of 27 passes for 321 yards. For App State, running back Rashod Dubinion leads with 821 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while wide receiver Jaden Barnes has caught 55 passes for 608 yards and seven touchdowns.

The two teams are closely matched statistically. Marshall boasts an average of 32.6 points per game and has only committed 11 turnovers, ranking eighth in turnover creation. App State averages 24.9 points per game but has committed 17 turnovers.

Recent analysis favors Marshall as a 4.5-point favorite, with the Thundering Herd projected to win 34-28 against App State. The game is expected to be competitive, and the history of the rivalry indicates that the home-field advantage could play a significant role.

As the sold-out crowd gathers for this crucial game, all eyes will be on how JJ Kohl performs under pressure and whether App State’s defense can contain Marshall’s high-powered offense. This match promises to be an exciting chapter in this rivalry.