App State Mountaineers Strike Gold, Down 49ers

App State improved the Sun Belt to 2-0 in non-conference play, defeating Charlotte 34-11 in the Duke’s Mayo Classic Friday night.

LSU transfer quarterback, AJ Swann, got the start and the win for App State at Bank of America Stadium and had quite the debut. Head coach Dowell Loggains also grabbed his first win as the new head man of the Mountaineer program.

The new look defense, led by defensive coordinator DJ Smith, held Charlotte to just 218 total yards in the 34-11 victory.

App State looked to have taken the early lead after a 59-yard downfield heave from Swann to wideout Jaden Barnes. Barnes, however, let up too early and was stripped just before crossing the goal line. The 49ers would recover the ball in the endzone.

After exchanging punts, Charlotte would march down the field on a sustained drive covering 55 yards in 6:28. Kicker Liam Boyd would put the 49ers on top 3-0.

#AppNation, we are BACK!

You made Bank of America feel like a home game. The best 🖤💛 #GoApp pic.twitter.com/hnsOFKIHZ1

— App State Athletics (@appstatesports) August 30, 2025

After that, it was all App State. The Mountaineers would go on to put scoring drives together on six of their final eight possessions, with four ending in touchdowns.

Swann impressed in his debut, going 31-for-46 with 348 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. It wasn’t just the stat line that caught attention– Swann also spread the ball around to 10 different receivers. Dalton Stroman had 8 receptions on the night for 88 yards, but the wideouts were led by Jaden Barnes (six receptions, 134 yards, one touchdown).

There was a question on who would emerge as the number one running back, after presumed starter Kayne Roberts went down with an ACL injury in fall practice. Enter Rashod Dubinion.

Dubinion would carry the ball 22 times for 111 yards and a touchdown on the night. Those yards didn’t come easy– his longest rush of the night was only 13 yards. But the 5-10, 210-pound back out of Ellenwood, GA showed his strength while toting the rock.

On a nine-yard gain in the fourth quarter, Dubinion stiff armed a defender to the ground, shed a tackle by lowering his shoulder, and remained on this feet as 49er defense finally chased him out of bounds.

Defensively, Kyle Arnholt came away with a fumble recovery and Ja’Den McBurrows made an ESPN Top 10 worthy interception.