BOONE — Jimmy Watkins ran for 194 yards and two touchdowns as Appalachian State beat Western Carolina 34-24 on Saturday.
Appalachian State (7-3, 6-2 Southern) had 439 total yards and forced four turnovers.
Fred Boateng led Western Carolina (6-4, 4-3) with 141 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
Western Carolina took a 3-0 lead early in the first quarter, but Appalachian State scored on its first four possessions for a 21-3 lead at halftime.
Western Carolina’s Ahmad Green had a 73-yard interception return for a touchdown and Thomas Pruett fell on a fumble in the end zone for another score.
Watkins scored on a 3-yard in the first quarter, then had a 15-yarder in the fourth.
Joe Burchette had a 9-yard touchdown run at the end of the first quarter and threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Michael Porter midway through the second. Burchette was 10-for-21 for 123 yards and threw an interception.