Appalachian State wins second straight national championship

Dec 16, 2006 - 5:23 AM CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (Ticker) - Kevin Richardson carried Appalachian State to another championship.

Sparked by Richardson, Appalachian State won its second straight national championship with a 28-17 victory over Massachusetts.

Appalachian State (14-1) became the first team to win the newly named NCAA Division I Football Championship. The Division I-AA playoffs magically turned into the Division I championship game, with the NCAA phasing out the terms Division I-AA and Division I-A, which applied only to football.

Richardson had a lot to do with the top-seeded Mountaineers hoisting another trophy as he rushed for 179 yards and four touchdowns.

Richardson's third touchdown, a four-yard run less than two minutes into the fourth quarter, snapped a tie and gave the Mountaineers the lead for good at 21-14. The junior added a two-yard score with 1:51 remaining, giving him the I-AA record for touchdowns in a season with 30.

The Mountaineers became the first team to win consecutive crowns in six years.

Steve Baylark rushed for 133 yards for the third-ranked Minutemen (13-2), who were denied their first title since 1998.

Chris Koepplin's 42-yard field goal with 8:46 remaining pulled the Minutemen within 21-17. But Corey Lynch intercepted Liam Coen to set up Richardson's final touchdown.

Richardson broke the TD mark of 29 set by Colgate's Jamaal Branch in 2003. San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson set the the NFL's single-season record for TDs with 29 last week.

Richardson scored on a 45-yard run in the first quarter and went in from six yards out in the second, giving the Mountaineers a 14-7 lead.

The Mountaineers also received an efficient performance from freshman quarterback Armanti Edwards, who completed 12-of-19 passes for 146 yards and an interception. He also rushed for 81 yards, helping his squad pile up 285 yards on the ground.

Coen threw a 17-yard TD pass to Brad Listorti with 4:22 left in the third quarter, pulling the Minutemen into a 14-14 tie.