There’s just something electric about fall Saturdays in Boone, North Carolina. From the sea of black and gold in Kidd Brewer Stadium to the thundering App State! Chants echoing through the mountains, college football hits differently up on the mountain.
2025 Appalachian State Football Schedule
The Appalachian State Mountaineers have been a force in the Sun Belt for years, and in 2025, they’re looking to climb even higher. With a balanced mix of fierce rivalries, Power Five tests, and high-stakes road trips, this year’s slate is packed with storylines.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬
App State Football is officially back in 💯 days!
Aug. 29 | Bank of America Stadium#GoApp pic.twitter.com/5GIhio3JSa
— App State Football (@AppState_FB) May 21, 2025
- Aug. 29—vs. Charlotte
- Sept. 6—vs. Lindenwood
- Sept. 13—at Southern Miss
- Sept. 27—at Boise State
- Oct. 4—vs. Oregon State
- Oct. 11—at Georgia State
- Oct. 18—vs. Coastal Carolina
- Oct. 25—at Old Dominion
- Nov. 6 (Thu)—vs. Georgia Southern
- Nov. 15—at James Madison
- Nov. 22—vs. Marshall
- Nov. 29—vs. Arkansas State
Breaking Down the Slate: What to Expect in 2025
The Mountaineers are entering 2025 with plenty of buzz after a strong 2024 campaign that saw them finish with nine wins and a bowl berth. Head coach Shawn Clark has his team reloaded and ready for another run at the Sun Belt Conference crown.
The schedule starts with two home games that offer great opportunities to build momentum, especially with a tricky road slate on deck.
Opening Stretch: Charlotte, Lindenwood, and Southern Miss
Appalachian State kicks off the season on Friday, Aug. 29, with a sizzling in-state battle against the Charlotte 49ers. With both fan bases known for bringing the heat, expect a raucous atmosphere at “The Rock.”
The following week brings a breather against FCS foe Lindenwood on Sept. 6, an ideal chance to get repetitions for younger players.
Then, things ramp up. A tough road matchup against Southern Miss on Sept. 13 will test the Mountaineers’ toughness early, especially with temperatures still scorching in Hattiesburg.
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Non-Conference Heat Check: Boise State and Oregon State
After a bye, Appalachian State travels to one of the most hostile environments in the Group of Five—Boise State on Sept. 27. The blue turf has humbled many, but Appalachian State has built a national brand of its own and won’t be intimidated. If the Mountaineers want to prove they belong in the New Year’s Six conversation, this is a must-watch matchup.
Then it’s back to Boone for a marquee showdown with Oregon State on Oct. 4. This Power Five clash brings a physical, Pac-12-now-Mountain West caliber squad to Kidd Brewer Stadium. It’s a resume-boosting opportunity with postseason implications.
Sun Belt Gauntlet: Rivalries, Road Tests, and Title Implications
Sun Belt Conference play officially begins with a trip to Georgia State on Oct. 11, before a pivotal home clash against Coastal Carolina on Oct. 18. That game has grown into one of the fiercest rivalries in the conference, and it often has direct Sun Belt East Division title stakes. Last year’s game ended in a 34–31 thriller. Expect more fireworks.
Next, App State hits the road to face Old Dominion on Oct. 25, a trap game if there ever was one. In a short week, the Mountaineers will return home for a Thursday night showdown with archrival Georgia Southern on Nov. 6. This is the one fans always circle in red. It’s the most heated rivalry in Appalachian State history—and one that’s rarely short on drama.
The final stretch includes a road trip to James Madison on Nov. 15, where Appalachian State will look to snap the Dukes’ home win streak, followed by two straight home games against Marshall on Nov. 22 and Arkansas State on Nov. 29. That back-to-back finish could determine who plays in the Sun Belt Conference title game.
Why 2025 Is Set Up for Something Special
Appalachian State’s 2025 schedule is loaded with opportunity. Unlike some years past, they’ve got the balance between marquee out-of-conference games and manageable home-field advantages in league play. Returning a veteran quarterback and several key defensive starters, the Mountaineers should have the leadership and firepower to capitalize.
The matchup against Oregon State could be the highest-attended non-conference game in program history. And with the Sun Belt East as stacked as ever—featuring James Madison, Coastal Carolina, and Georgia Southern—there’s little room for error. But Appalachian State thrives on the edge.
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If the Mountaineers can come out of September with three or more wins and hold serve at home in October, they’ll be in the thick of the conference race and a contender for the Group of Five’s New Year’s Six bid.
With a loyal fan base behind them and a mountain-sized chip on their shoulder, this could be a season that goes down in Boone lore. Get your tickets early—The Rock is going to be rocking.
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