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Freshman Duo – Running Back Marcus Cox, Linebacker John Law – Earn Accolades For Play Against Elon

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Marcus Cox (left) and John Law (right) were recognized Monday for their performances in Saturday’s 31-21 win at Elon. Photo courtesy of Appalachian Athletics/Keith Cline and David Scearce

Sept. 24, 2013. After leading Appalachian State University football to a 31-21 win at Elon on Saturday evening, freshman running back Marcus Cox and freshman inside linebacker John Law were recognized nationally and by the Southern Conference on Monday. Cox was named the NCAA Division I FCS National Co-Freshman of the Week by The Sports Network as well as the SoCon Freshman of the Week while Law was tabbed as the SoCon’s Defensive Player of the Week.

Cox’s accolades came on the strength of a 308-yard, three-touchdown performance in Saturday’s triumph. Making the first start of his career, the true freshman became the first player in Appalachian State’s 84-season history to record 100 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards in a game, going for 159 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries and 149 yards and two scores on five receptions.

The 149 receiving yards were the most by a running back and the most by a true freshman (regardless of position) in Appalachian State history. The 159 rushing yards were the most by an Appalachian true freshman since Armanti Edwards’ 172 versus Coastal Carolina on Nov. 25, 2006 and the most by a true freshman running back since Alan Atwater’s 207 versus Chattanooga on Nov. 1, 2003. 

Cox scored the Mountaineers’ first two touchdowns of the game on 50- and 73-yard receptions and after Elon sliced Appalachian’s 24-0 lead to 24-21 late in the fourth quarter, Cox put the game on ice with a three-yard touchdown run with 1:27 to go in the ballgame. Cox’s six rushes accounted for all 75 yards on the game-clinching drive.

Defensively, Law recorded three takeaways with two interceptions and a fumble recovery while also tallying a game-high 15 tackles in the Mountaineers’ first victory of the season. Law was responsible for all three of Elon turnovers on the soggy evening, which led directly to 10 Appalachian State points. His first-quarter interception led to a field goal that gave the Mountaineers a 10-0 lead and his fumble recovery at the Appalachian 6 yard line late in the second period not only thwarted an Elon scoring opportunity but also led to a 94-yard touchdown drive that stretched the Mountaineers’ lead to 24-0. He also picked off a pass at the App State 27 with 39 seconds remaining in the game to seal the win.

With the 15 tackles — which were five more than any other player recorded in the game — Law became the first Appalachian State freshman with double-digit tackles in three-straight games since D.J. Smith accomplished the feat from Nov. 17-Dec. 1, 2007.

The SoCon honor is the second in three games for Law. He was named the league’s Freshman of the Week following his 12-tackle performance in the season opener at Montana.

In all, Mountaineers have collected four of the SoCon’s weekly awards through three games — all by freshmen. In addition to Cox’s and Law’s honors, true freshman punter Bentlee Critcher was named the SoCon Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 47.9 yards per punt versus North Carolina A&T on Sept. 7.

Appalachian State returns home this weekend for a big non-conference matchup versus 4-0 Charleston Southern. Kickoff is set for Saturday, Sept. 28 at 3:30 p.m. at Kidd Brewer Stadium. A very limited number of reserved seats for the Family Weekend contest are still available. Click HERE to purchase tickets online.