11:53 p.m., Dec. 14, 2007--Appalachian State University won its third consecutive national championship, defeating the University of Delaware 49-21 in the 2007 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision title game, played Friday night before a packed house at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The Mountaineers opened the season with a major upset against the host University of Michigan and ended it with the championship victory over the Fightin' Blue Hens.

As in two other playoff games, the Hens fell behind early. This time, they were unable to battle back.

Their first drive was stopped quickly and a short punt gave Appalachian State good field position. The Mountaineers capitalized on a 19-yard touchdown pass from elusive quarterback Armanti Edwards to Kevin Richardson to go ahead 7-0.

Delaware stormed back, on two long pass plays from quarterback Joe Flacco to wide receiver Aaron Love, but was stopped on fourth and inches. An apparent tying touchdown by Omar Cuff was reversed on replay review and the Hens were unable to convert on two subsequent plays.

That proved to be costly as Appalachian State shredded the UD defense, quickly moving 99 yards for a 14-0 lead as Devon Moore ran the last 46 for the score.

With the ball back, the Hens sliced deep into Appalachian State territory again but the drive stalled and field goal kicker Jon Striesfky missed a 35-yard try.

Once again, Appalachian State had little trouble moving the ball and went deep into UD territory on several runs by Edwards. Living a charmed life, Appalachian State fumbled the ball into the end zone for a touchdown to make it 21-0.

Delaware scored late in the first half when Flacco hit Mark Duncan with a touchdown pass to make the score 21-7 but Appalachian State struck with lightning speed on a 60-yard pass from Edwards to Dexter Jackson to extend the lead to 28-7 at the break.

The teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter, with the Hens scoring late on a 1-yard plunge by Cuff to make it 35-14.

Appalachian scored twice more to make it 49-14 before Duncan returned a kickoff for a touchdown to give the Hens their final score.

The Hens reached the championship game with victories at home against Delaware State University and on the road against top-seeded Northern Iowa University and Southern Illinois University.

Photo by Kathy Atkinson