ASU tops Delaware
By ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Four Appalachian State fans took a slow elevator ride down at Finley Stadium after their school's historic win. They might have been the only Mountaineers' fans that didn't rush the field.

Armanti Edwards threw three touchdowns passes and Appalachian State capped its historic season with a 49-21 win over Delaware on Friday night for its third consecutive title in the Football Championship Subdivision.

''The opportunity at three? An opportunity at one is a great accomplishment,'' All- American safety Corey Lynch said. ''There's not words right now for it, the severity of the situation.''

Appalachian State has only one problem with the historical three-peat run: The program that kicked off this unpredictable season with the shocking win at Michigan needs their fans to learn how to control their celebration.

With 3:29 to play, Appalachian State fans jumped onto the field and surrounded the Delaware bench. Police had to restrain them, as fans were getting autographs while the game was still being played.

Forgive the early celebration, but a season of firsts deserved a fitting end.

''Insane,'' left guard Kerry Brown said. ''That's the best way to put it. It's almost kind of a blur. There's always been great support from our fans ... We just had really great support.''

Delaware coach K.C. Keeler's only problem with the premature celebration was that so many fans swarmed the field that he and his Fightin' Blue Hens couldn't get to the Mountaineers to congratulate them. He had to go to their locker room to do that.