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Whatís more, Walter Payton Award candidate Kevin Richardson became the Mountaineersí all-time leading rusher.

ASU (9-2, 5-2 SoCon) became just the seventh team in the leagueís 86-year history to win three-consecutive conference titles. After winning back-to-back outright championships, ASU shares the 2007 crown with Wofford (8-3, 5-2 SoCon).

Both teams will represent the SoCon in the 16-team 2007 NCAA Division I Championship field, with league foes The Citadel, Elon and Georgia Southern (all 7-4, 4-3 SoCon) clinging to hopes to also earn a bid out of the nationís top-ranked Division I Football Championship Subdivision conference, according to the latest Sagarin ratings.

Not to be overshadowed was the accomplishment by Richardson, a former walk-on who ran past ASU legend John Settle (1983-86) for top billing in the schoolís all-time rushing annals. Richardson, who needed just 27 yards coming in to surpass Settleís record mark of 4,409, wasted no time in making history, as he broke the record on a 10-yard gallop with 9:21 remaining in the first quarter.

From there, it became the Armanti Edwards show, as the sophomore quarterback scored on runs of seven, 28 and 40 yards in the first period to help the Mountaineers open up a 21-7 advantage.

Chattanooga (2-9, 2-5 SoCon) came roaring back in the second quarter, as it marched inside the ASU 20-yard line four times in the period. However, Appalachian limited UTC to just 10 points on the four red-zone trips and took a slim 21-17 lead into the locker room at halftime.

After surrendering 299 yards of offense in the first half, the Mountaineer defense turned up the pressure after the break. The Apps didnít allow Chattanooga to cross the 50-yard line after the midway point of the third quarter and forced four turnovers en route to limiting the Mocs to just 99 yards of offense in the second half.

Late in the third period, defensive end Gary Tharrington turned the tide of the game when he forced and recovered a fumble by Chattanoogaís Brent Hayes at the UTC 29-yard line. Five plays later, Edwards scored his fourth touchdown of the afternoon from two yards out to give ASU a 27-17 cushion.

Thanks to great field position attained on a 17-yard punt by UTCís Jonathan Wright, the Mountaineers stretched the lead to 30-17 on Julian Rauchís 23-yard field goal with 8:54 remaining.

With 36 seconds remaining, Buck Buchanan Award candidate Corey Lynch drilled Moc receiver Clint Woods as he caught a pass and Justin Woazeah scooped up the loose ball and returned it 32 yards for his first career touchdown to close out the scoring.