Turnovers sink App State in loss at La.-Lafayette

The Mountaineers turned the ball over four times in a 41-13 road loss

Coach Shawn Clark and App State fell to 4-2 on the season following a 41-13 loss at Louisiana-Lafayette. (Wilfredo Lee / AP Photo)

LAFAYETTE, La. — Levi Lewis threw for one touchdown and ran for another, Chris Smith added two rushing scores and Louisiana-Lafayette eased by Appalachian State 41-13 on Tuesday night.

Louisiana-Lafayette (5-1, 3-0 Sun Belt Conference) scored a touchdown on its first three drives and led 20-6 at the break. Eric Garror intercepted a pass on Appalachian State’s opening possession of the second half, leading to Smith’s 21-yard run.

The Louisiana-Lafayette defense entered with just three takeaways on the season but came up with four against the Mountaineers.

Lewis threw for 209 yards, moving into second in program history for career passing yards, and Smith rushed for 82 yards on 13 carries. Montrell Johnson added 103 yards rushing, including a 2-yard touchdown to cap a 98-yard drive in the fourth.

On the second play of the game, Lewis threw a deep pass down the middle to Kyren Lacy for a 55-yard completion. Lewis scored six plays later on a 3-yard run.

Chase Brice was 15-of-26 passing with two interceptions for App State (4-2, 1-1 Sun Belt) and was held without a touchdown pass for the first time this season. He ran for a 5-yard TD to pull within 27-13 midway through the third. The Mountaineers were limited to just 78 rushing yards on 29 carries.