 Logo of The Old Mountain Feud | |
| First meeting | October 1, 1977 Appalachian State, 28–20 |
|---|---|
| Latest meeting | November 22, 2025 Appalachian State, 26–24 |
| Next meeting | 2026 |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 28 |
| All-time series | Appalachian State leads, 17–11[1] |
| Largest victory | Marshall, 50–0 (1990) |
| Longest win streak | Appalachian State, 4 (1977–1980) |
| Current win streak | Appalachian State, 1 (2025–present) |
TheAppalachian State–Marshall football rivalry, known colloquially asThe Old Mountain Feud, is acollege rivalry between theMountaineers ofAppalachian State University inBoone, North Carolina, and theThundering Herd ofMarshall University inHuntington, West Virginia.[2][3][4] The rivalry is significant for the competitiveness of the contests, as well as its place in contemporaryAppalachian culture. Both campuses residing in theAppalachian Mountains, the two public universities both were onceteacher's academies.
The football programs were dominant during their time in theDivision I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). From 1986 to 1996 theSouthern Conference foes won at least a share of the conference title a combined eight times (Marshall ended the1988 season tied withFurman for first). Nationally, the teams have combined for threeWalter Payton Awards and fivenational championships.[5] Marshall transitioned to theFootball Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in 1997.[6] Appalachian State moved to the FBS in 2014.[7] Both programs continued to enjoy on-field success after their respective conference changes.
Appalachian State leads the all-time series, 17–11.[8] The rivalry was played annually 1977–1996. The rivalry resumed annual play in the 2020 season and is an in-conference rivalry again as Marshall joined Appalachian State in theSun Belt Conference East Division in 2022.[9][10]
Marshall's football program began in 1895 and the program at Appalachian State began in 1928. However, the Thundering Herd and Mountaineers did not meet until Marshall joined the Southern Conference in 1977. The teams were both in contention for Southern Conference titles during the seasons, and in the offseason the coaches would vie for the same regional recruits. In 1995, the fervor was so intense that the Marshall fans attacked the Appalachian State team bus on its way toJoan C. Edwards Stadium.[11]
Marshall would leave the conference in 1996, rendering the rivalry dormant until 2020, save for one game in 2002. In that time, both football programs gained national recognition uncommon to many FCS andGroup of Five teams. Appalachian State became the first FCS school to beat an AP top-5 program when theybested Michigan in 2007, and became the first college football program to win a bowl game in its first year of eligibility.[12] Marshall'sRandy Moss would have aHall of FameNFL career and the program was the subject of the 2006 feature filmWe Are Marshall, based on the aftermath of theSouthern Airways Flight 932 tragedy.
Though many Marshall fans consider Appalachian State to be their top rival,[3] most Appalachian State fans consider Marshall their secondary rival behind longtime adversaryGeorgia Southern. Still, the rivalry remains fierce among coaches,[13] players, and fans. An altercation atKidd Brewer Stadium in 2021 made national news after a group of Mountaineer supporters taunted some Marshall players on their way to the locker room after the game, and in response a Marshall player spat at the fans.[14] The incident was caught on video and prompted a media dialogue about acceptable behavior between spectators and student-athletes.
| Appalachian State victories | Marshall victories | Tie games |
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