WSJ article 10-17-12

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http://www2.journalnow.com/sports/2012/ ... r-2702968/

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Coach Russ Huesman of Chattanooga, who watched a replay of the catch while preparing to play Samford this Saturday, said it was probably the best catch he had seen all year.

"To get a foot in and make that catch with two guys on him was phenomenal by Price," Huesman said.

[G2ASU]

Link for that article is not working at present time ( for me at least). Anyone care to provide a summary? Thanks!

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Not working for me either currently.

[JCline0429]

Not working for me either currently.

Sean Price has always liked the number 22. In fact, it's been a "family number" that he, his brothers, mother and uncle preferred whenever they had the chance to claim it while playing youth sports.

The affection grew last Saturday. Price caught a 22-yard touchdown pass with 22 seconds left to lift Appalachian State to a 28-25 victory over Samford.

Price, a 6-5 redshirt freshman already tagged with a reputation as a big-play receiver, has become a central part of a corps of receivers that has emerged as a strong point for the Mountaineers.

His clutch catch Saturday helped the Mountaineers escape with a vital Southern Conference victory. A late defensive stand and last-minute 80-yard drive led to a final fourth-down chance. Quarterback Jamal Jackson lofted a pass toward Price on the right side of the end zone, and Price lunged to make the catch while trying to stay inbounds.

"When the ball went up, I knew it was on me to get it," Price said.

It wasn't an easy catch, and there was little time to adjust.

"I wasn't sure exactly how I was going to do it, whether I was going to let it go over my shoulder like I did or if I was going to turn around and go up for it," Price said. "I just saw the ball into my hands, making sure I controlled it."

Coach Russ Huesman of Chattanooga, who watched a replay of the catch while preparing to play Samford this Saturday, said it was probably the best catch he had seen all year.

"To get a foot in and make that catch with two guys on him was phenomenal by Price," Huesman said.

Justin Stepp, ASU's receivers' coach, said: "Sean has an incredible knack for going and getting the ball in the air. He does a great job of adjusting to the ball, especially for a guy his size. You can't teach that. He'll go and get it."

Price and the rest of the Mountaineers' receivers have done an exemplary job of getting Jackson's passes this season. Coach Jerry Moore said, as a group, they've been "pretty darn good."

"The thing I like about them as much as anything is the way they practice," Moore said.

That and the fact they will all return next season.

"They're more than contributors right now," Moore said. "As we saw Saturday, they can make the difference in a ballgame."

Price has 34 catches for a team-leading 488 yards. He is averaging 97.6 receiving yards a game, and, as the primary runner of deep vertical routes, is averaging a team-best 14.4 yards a catch.

Andrew Peacock ranks second in the SoCon with 37 catches and third in receiving yards with 391. Fellow junior Tony Washington has 19 catches, and has been solid on punt and kickoff returns — ranking third in the SoCon in both categories.

Freshman Malachi Jones has 23 catches, good enough to rank seventh in the league. Redshirt Simms McElfresh and Oregon transfer Tacoi Sumler have contributed, and reserve Bobo Beathard has been a fan favorite with hard-nosed effort on special teams.

Adding to receiving threat is running back Steven Miller, who has been a productive safety valve recently and has caught four touchdown passes.

"We knew what we had in Tony and Andrew, but we were looking for some of these younger guys to step up," Stepp said. "But I don't think any of us knew that (Jones) would be as good as he is as a true freshman or (Price) this good as a redshirt freshman.

"We've been very pleased."


tbowman@wsjournal.com (336) 727-7323

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It is working now, thanks.