GOV. EASLEY PROCLAIMS MOUNTAINEER FOOTBALL DAY

RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today welcomed the Appalachian State University football team to the Executive Mansion and proclaimed the day “Mountaineer Football Day” in honor of the team’s 3rd consecutive NCAA national championship.

“Appalachian State’s commitment and determination have created a football dynasty in North Carolina,” said Easley. “I congratulate the team on its 3rd NCAA championship title and look forward to cheering on the Mountaineers again this fall.”

On Dec. 14, 2007, ASU defeated the University of Delaware Fighting Blue Hens 49-21 to capture the 2007 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) in Chattanooga, Tenn.  It was the culmination of a season that included a spectacular season-opening victory over the nationally ranked University of Michigan Wolverines.

Since the football team’s inception in 1928, the Mountaineers have won 516 games. The Appalachian State Mountaineers finished the 2007 Southern Conference season with a 5-2 record as regular season co-champions.  They finished the season with an overall record of 13-2.

The team beat Northern Iowa in 2005 to achieve ASU’s 1st national football title in the school’s history and beat the University of Massachusetts in 2006 to win its 2nd straight title. 

The Appalachian State Mountaineers were unanimously ranked Number 1 in all 2007 preseason polls, including the Coach’s Poll, The Sporting News and Street & Smith magazine.