Appalachian State Wins a Sloppy 2023 Cure Bowl

The rain was relentless under what many would consider horrible weather. Both teams took the field pre-game to test the field. Field conditions could have been better. The crowd that attended the game was in the raincoats. FBS Mortage Stadium was covered in pink banners as the bowl game continued to raise money for cancer research. The RedHawks of Miami Ohio were in their road white tops and red bottoms with white helmets. The Mountaineers of Appalachian State were all black uniforms with black helmets. Despite the weather, the crowd would make the stadium also known as the bounce house bounce when their team scored or made a big play. Both teams had fans in the stands despite the rain that never stopped. The Mountaineers won the toss and received the ball. 

As the first quarter started the paint from the logo started to run from the heavy rainfall. The crowd was very minimal. In the first quarter, it was back and forth. The RedHawks got an early turnover on an interception and turned it into three points. The Mountaineers tied the game shortly after the Miami of Ohio field goal. Despite the rain going from light to hard it ended in a 3-3 tie. The ball was starting to become hard to hold on to. Both teams struggled to not fumble the ball. The RedHawks had three turnovers in the first half, all fumbles. The Mountaineers converted a 4th down conversation then turned the ball over on downs four plays later. Near the end of the half Miami of Ohio stood tall and stopped Appalachian State on a 4th and one. The half ended in the monsoon with the Mountaineers leading 6-3.

The second half started with the rain coming down harder. The first touchdown of the game came with 4:46 left in the third quarter to give the Mountaineers a 13-3 lead. Shortly after that, the RedHawks answered with their first touchdown cutting the score to 13-9. Most of the points in the game came off of fumbles. At the end of the 3rd quarter, the Mountaineers lead the RedHawks 13-9. The players were doing their best with the weather playing a huge factor as the ball was very slippery. Both teams shared turnovers as the clock turned midway through the 4th quarter. The RedHawks lost the ball late in the quarter the Mountaineers recovered. With that fumble recovery, they put the game on ice. The game was a battle of who won the turnover battle. That would be Appalachian State.

You could describe the 2023 Cure Bowl as sloppy. The rain played a huge factor in the game. Both teams had three turnovers which many will say it was a crappy game. The defenses for both teams were great. There were only 22 total points and the first team touchdowns for both teams did not come until the third quarter. The fans and the game photographers got soaked but for the most part, stayed and enjoyed the game. The bounce house did not bounce because it was just the lower-bottom bowl that had fans in it. With that, the Appalachian State Mountaineers were crowned the 2023 Cure Bowl champions winning 13-9.

What are your thoughts on the 2023 Cure Bowl? Leave a comment below.

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