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Monday’s Camellia Bowl Notebook: App State O-Line Grants Christmas Wish To Youngster

Appalachian State's offensive linemen granted a local youngster's Christmas wish on Monday when they presented him with a new bike following practice at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Photo courtesy: Appalachian State Athletics
Appalachian State’s offensive linemen granted a local youngster’s Christmas wish on Monday when they presented him with a new bike following practice at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Photo courtesy: Appalachian State Athletics

Appalachian State University football held its final home workout of the season on Monday as preparations continued for Saturday’s Raycom Media Camellia Bowl versus Ohio (5:30 p.m. ET – ESPN).

Thanks to the weather, Monday’s practice was an unusual one. A steady rain fell throughout the day in the High Country, forcing the Mountaineers to move their workout into the Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility. While Appalachian State’s defense practiced indoors for an hour and 20 minutes, the rain subsided, which allowed special-teams drills and the offensive portion of practice to be moved outdoors to Kidd Brewer Stadium.

The split practice was Appalachian’s final workout of the season in Boone. The Mountaineers will lift weights in the morning before boarding buses for the short drive to Hickory Regional Airport. App State’s charter flight will arrive in Montgomery, Ala., late in the afternoon and the Mountaineers will proceed directly to the team hotel. Appalachian will hold its first on-site practice on Wednesday.

SATTERFIELD TO APPEAR ON SIRIUSXM COLLEGE SPORTS NATION ON TUESDAY MORNING: Before making the journey to Montgomery, Appalachian State head coach Scott Satterfield will appear on SiriusXM College Sports Nation (Ch. 84) on Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Satterfield will be a guest on “The First Team” with former Alabama and NFL quarterback Greg McElroy and Sports Illustrated’s Andy Staples. The national radio appearance is Satterfield’s second in less than a week, as he appeared on SiriusXM College Sports Nation’s “Full Ride” with Rick Neuheisel and Chris Childers last Thursday.

Appalachian’s first-ever NCAA bowl appearance can also be heard nationwide, as Saturday’s Camellia Bowl will be carried live on ESPN Radio.

THIS DATE IN APPALACHIAN FOOTBALL HISTORY: On December 14, 2012, Satterfield was named the 20th head coach in Appalachian State football history.

In three seasons as the head coach at his alma mater, Satterfield has posted a 21-15 record, including a 10-2 mark this season. He successfully guided Appalachian through the two-year transition from NCAA Division I FCS to Division I FBS and the Mountaineers have already matched the most wins ever by a team in its first season as a full-fledged member of FBS (formerly NCAA Division I-A). With a win over Ohio in Saturday’s Camellia Bowl, App State would break a tie with Marshall (10-3 in 1997) for the most victories by a team in its first full-fledged FBS campaign.

OFFENSIVE LINE GRANTS CHRISTMAS WISH: Appalachian State’s offensive line granted a Christmas wish to a local youngster on Monday evening when it presented him with a new bicycle following practice at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

“We want our guys to use their status as Appalachian State student-athletes as a platform to make a difference in the community,” co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford said. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to be a positive influence on others’ lives.”

The Mountaineers’ offensive line pitched in to raise funds to not only buy the youngster the bike that he wanted for Christmas, but also provided him with a safety helmet and authentic Appalachian State football jersey. Student-athletes from across the team joined in the spirit by stopping to sign autographs as they left the field after practice.

Community service has been one of Satterfield’s primary initiatives as Appalachian State’s head coach and, under Ledford’s direction, the Mountaineers’ offensive linemen have been particularly active in the community. In addition to partnering with Watauga County Schools to grant a Christmas wish, App State’s o-linemen have volunteered their time at the Hospitality House in Boone and delivered turkeys to less-fortunate families throughout the High Country prior to Thanksgiving.