GREENVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — Appalachian State built a 27-17 lead through three quarters and held off a late East Carolina touchdown to defeat the Pirates 27-24 on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The Mountaineers improved to 2-0, while the Pirates fell to 0-2. The Football Bowl Subdivision game featured timely kicks, three rushing touchdowns by Appalachian State and a pair of scoring connections by East Carolina that kept the outcome uncertain until the final seconds. The Mountaineers never trailed after taking the lead in the second quarter.

East Carolina had the first scoring chance, but Noah Perez missed a 33-yard field goal with 10:58 left in the first quarter. The Pirates broke through later in the period when Michael Allen rushed up the middle for a 2-yard touchdown with 4:11 remaining. Perez added the extra point. Appalachian State answered before the quarter ended, as J. London made a 41-yard field goal with 44 seconds left. The Mountaineers trailed 7-3 after the opening period.

Appalachian State took control in the second quarter. Malachi Singleton rushed up the middle for a 4-yard touchdown with 14:17 remaining, and London’s extra point gave the Mountaineers a 10-7 lead. J. Lewis added a 10-yard touchdown run with 8:44 left, pushing the advantage to 17-7. East Carolina cut into the deficit when Perez made a 33-yard field goal with 1:21 remaining. London attempted a 59-yard field goal as the half expired, but the kick was no good. Appalachian State led 17-10 at halftime.

The Mountaineers extended their lead early in the third quarter when T. Webb rushed up the middle for a 13-yard touchdown with 12:12 remaining. London’s extra point made it 24-10. East Carolina responded quickly, as Mitch Griffis completed a deep middle pass to Jason Dickerson for a 61-yard touchdown with 10:36 left. Perez kicked the extra point to trim the margin to 24-17. London later made a 37-yard field goal with 3:57 remaining, giving Appalachian State a 27-17 cushion.

East Carolina did not score again until the final minute. Griffis completed a short pass to the right to Ja’Keith Hamilton for a 7-yard touchdown with 21 seconds remaining. Perez made the extra point, pulling the Pirates within three points. Appalachian State then protected the lead and secured the road victory. The Pirates’ final score came too late to complete a full comeback.

Appalachian State’s scoring came from three rushing touchdowns and two field goals. Singleton, Lewis and Webb each found the end zone on the ground. London made field goals of 41 and 37 yards and converted all three extra points after touchdowns. East Carolina countered with Allen’s rushing touchdown, Perez’s 33-yard field goal and Griffis’ scoring passes to Dickerson and Hamilton.

Malachi Singleton of Appalachian State was listed first among the game’s key performers. The quarterback from Kennesaw, Georgia, helped direct the Mountaineers’ offense. Mitch Griffis of East Carolina, a quarterback from Ashburn, Virginia, was listed next after leading the Pirates’ passing attack. East Carolina’s Kieran Davis, a defensive player from Roswell, Georgia, followed, along with safety Zyeir Gamble of Sumter, South Carolina, linebacker Kevon Merrell Jr. of Cordele, Georgia, defensive back Ashton Levells-Mitchell of Desoto, Texas, defensive player Kendrick DuJour of Jonesboro, Georgia, and defensive back Kamaurri McKinley of Lakeland, Florida. DeMarius Hines of East Carolina also was listed among the key performers.

The Pirates’ list continued with Jackson Barker, a linebacker from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina; Crews Law, a linebacker from Nashville, Tennessee; Julien Davis, a linebacker from Mcdonough, Georgia; DJ Johnson Jr., a linebacker from Hampton, Georgia; Ray Ray Joseph Jr., a wide receiver from Miami, Florida; Tyler Johnson, a wide receiver from Martinsville, Virginia; Ja’Keith Hamilton, a wide receiver from Shelby, North Carolina; Jason Dickerson, a wide receiver from Knightdale, North Carolina; Jeremiah Melvin, a wide receiver from Fayetteville, North Carolina; Michael Allen, a running back from Greenville, North Carolina; Cade Law, a linebacker from Kingston Springs, Tennessee; Tomas O’Halloran, a punter from Adelaide, South Australia; Noah Perez, a kicker from Phoenix, Arizona; Kyler Pearson, a wide receiver from Tulsa, Oklahoma; Evan Powell, a defensive player from Huntingtown, Maryland; Jordan Miles, a linebacker from Huntsville, Alabama; Miles Parker, a defensive player from Jacksonville, North Carolina; Adam Cole; Jasiyah Robinson, a linebacker from Groveport, Ohio; Durante Speer; Ashton Gray, a running back from Marion, Arkansas; Blake Shirley, a long snapper from Greer, South Carolina; Christian Peterson, a defensive back from Dothan, Alabama; Ayden Duncanson, a defensive back from Atlanta, Georgia; Angelo Ross, a defensive back from Baltimore, Maryland; Torin Brazell, a defensive player from Starke, Florida; Preston Carr, a defensive player from Timberlake, North Carolina; Rion Roseborough, a defensive player from Greenville, North Carolina; and Rae’mon Mosby, a defensive back from Marrero, Louisiana.

Appalachian State’s listed key performers also included Chris Lofton, a wide receiver from Columbia, South Carolina; Khalil Conley, a defensive back from Asheville, North Carolina; Aiden Benton, a defensive player from Hampton, Georgia; Juan Berchal, a defensive back from Sanford, Florida; Kaleb Purdy, a safety from St. Peters, Missouri; Aaron Clark, a defensive player from Charleston, West Virginia; Luke Douglas; Jackson Grier, a wide receiver from Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Alexander Sanchez, a wide receiver from Loganville, Georgia; Alex Mitchell, a linebacker from Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Nate Branch; and Darrin Fugitt, a tight end from Bolivar, Missouri.

The win moved Appalachian State to 2-0 after its 55-3 home victory over Maine on Sept. 5. East Carolina dropped to 0-2 after opening with a 48-10 loss at Alabama on Sept. 5. Appalachian State will host Charlotte on Sept. 19 before traveling to North Carolina State on Sept. 26. The Mountaineers also have home games scheduled against Old Dominion on Oct. 10, James Madison on Oct. 22, Georgia State on Nov. 7 and Louisiana-Monroe on Nov. 21, plus road games at Coastal Carolina on Oct. 16, Georgia Southern on Oct. 31, Marshall on Nov. 14 and South Alabama on Nov. 27.

East Carolina will visit Old Dominion on Sept. 19 before hosting North Carolina Central on Sept. 26. The Pirates also are scheduled to host Rice on Oct. 10, Temple on Oct. 31, South Florida on Nov. 6 and Florida Atlantic on Nov. 27, while traveling to UAB on Oct. 15, Memphis on Oct. 22, Charlotte on Nov. 14 and Army on Nov. 21.

Before the game, Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of East Carolina 46, Appalachian State 28. Interstat’s ELO system gave East Carolina an 88.8 percent probability to win. Appalachian State overcame that projection with the win at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.