QB Edwards overcomes fear of flying to pilot Appalachian State

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- For Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards, the toughest part of beating Michigan last season wasn't maneuvering through the Wolverines' mammoth defensive line or overcoming more than 100,000 maize and blue-clad fans.

It was the plane ride -- the first of his life.

"I didn't want to go. I wanted to ride (the bus) with the band," Edwards said Wednesday, after he was voted the preseason offensive player of the year in the Southern Conference. "After we celebrated after the game I forgot we had to fly again. At the airport I was like, 'Man, I should stay or something."'

Edwards and the Mountaineers made it back to their Boone, N.C., campus safely after the stunning 34-32 victory, then went on to win a record third consecutive Football Championship Subdivision title. Returning 14 starters, they'll be the favorites to win the national title of what used to be called Division I-AA again this season.

While the Michigan talk still hasn't subsided -- coach Jerry Moore estimates he's been on the road 25 days each month of the offseason for various speaking engagements - there is a chance for Appalachian to pull off an even bigger stunner in its opener this season.

On August 30, the Mountaineers visit LSU -- the defending Football Bowl Subdivision champs.

Edwards can't wait.

Trouble is, he'll have to board a plane again.

"I'm not too good with heights," Edwards said.

He's been pretty good at helping the Mountaineers reach a lofty spot as one of the nation's darlings. After accounting for a stunning 3,536 yards of total offense and 38 touchdowns in 11 games last season, the slight kid no major school wanted as a quarterback is getting preseason attention as a possible Heisman Trophy candidate.

After much debate, Appalachian State officials decided against starting a costly Heisman promotional campaign for the junior. Yet Edwards drew most of the attention Wednesday at the Southern Conference's media day, when the Mountaineers were picked by the league's coaches and media members to win the title again.

And perhaps the guy who most wanted to see Edwards was the only Heisman Trophy winner in the room, Pat Sullivan, the former Auburn quarterback and coach of league newcomer Samford.

"It's the first time I got to see him in person," Sullivan said.