BOONE, NC– The Colonials faced Appalachian State on Saturday afternoon for their second FBS test this season and are still searching for their first win of the 2022 season after falling to the Mountaineers 42-3 Saturday afternoon.

Head coach Bernard Clark spoke on the experience of playing a perennial FBS team like the Mountaineers.

“They put their pants on the same way we do. We’re still trying to go 1-0. We still need to continue to fight and believe in each other. They came out, guns blazing and we gave them a tough go tonight. They tore us apart and let them down.”

Anthony Chiccitt made his second consecutive start under center for the Colonials.

His day started rough, with his first pass on the day being intercepted by Mountaineer cornerback Nick Ross on the opening drive.

The Mountaineer offense was not getting going in their first two drives either, combining for two yards in two three-and-outs.

That changed quickly as Chase Brice found Dashaun Davis for a 31-yard score to make it 7-0.

It stayed a one-score game after the first quarter.

The Colonials got their first big drive going at the beginning of the second quarter. Anthony Chiccitt threw a pretty touch pass to Demonte Martin for 37 yards. Then, later in the drive, the Colonials went for it on fourth down and two and gave it to Tayshaun Mayfield to keep the drive alive. Anthony Chiccitt found a hole and used his legs on 3rd and 10 to move the chains again.

On the ensuing App State drive, the Mountaineers charged down the field, thanks to a 40-yard gain by Nate Noel to set the Mountaineers up in the red zone on one play.

Two stars on defense went down in the first half, Joe Casale, who had an interception in the first quarter, and Ricardo Watson.

Watson hit his head into the turf late in the first half and was stretchered off the field. Clark updated Colonial Sports Network on his health.

“I don’t know what’s going on yet. The thing I do know is, is that he’s fine. He can move all his extremities; all that I know is that he’s fine. I’m not sure about the pain, though, or where he is hurting from.”

It was a tale of two teams in the second half as App State scored on four consecutive drives as the Colonials went three and out on three straight possessions.

The rushing defense struggled as they have all year, as the Mountaineers averaged almost seven yards a carry.

The clock hit zero as the Mountaineers punished the Colonials in the second half, having 512 yards on the day to the Colonials 148.

“It really is about the scoreboard, to be perfectly honest with you,” Clark said postgame. “I’m tired of the situation we’re in. We’re 0-8 right now and we just have to win a game. That’s what it boils down to. We have three games left. So, we have to find a way to put something together as coaches to put these guys in the best position to win a football game.”

The Colonials fall to 0-8, extending their program record for most losses to begin a season.

They return to the Big South Conference schedule as they face Charleston Southern on a short week, playing on Saturday at noon.