Appalachian State wide receiver Jalen Virgil (11) is tackled by Middle Tennessee cornerback Darryl Randolph (29) on a 35-yard pass completion in the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Middle Tennessee linebacker DQ Thomas (20) tries to tackle Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) on a a carry in the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Middle Tennessee cornerback Darryl Randolph (29) breaks up a pass intended for Appalachian State wide receiver Corey Xavier Sutton in the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Appalachian State quarterback Zac Thomas (12) passes in the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Appalachian State quarterback Zac Thomas (12) is tackled by Middle Tennessee defensive end Darrius Liggins, left, and linebacker Khalil Brooks, right, in the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Middle Tennessee defensive end Tyshun Render (94) covers Appalachian State quarterback Zac Thomas (12) after Thomas fumbled, which Middle Tennessee recovered, in the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Appalachian State wide receiver Corey Xavier Sutton (2) runs against Middle Tennessee defensive back O.J. Johnson (4) in the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Appalachian State defensive back Desmond Franklin (6) breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Middle Tennessee wide receiver Patrick Smith (37) in the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) carries against Middle Tennessee safety Kendricks Gladney (38) in the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) carries against Middle Tennessee safety Reed Blankenship (12) in the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Middle Tennessee wide receiver Gatlin Casey (87) is tackled by Appalachian State defensive back Tae Hayes (17) in the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Middle Tennessee wide receiver Ty Lee (8) is chased out of bounds by Appalachian State linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (24) and defensive back Josh Thomas (7) in the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Middle Tennessee quarterback Brent Stockstill (12) passes in the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game against Appalachian State in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Appalachian State interim head coach Mark Ivey hands the bowl trophy to his team after the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Middle Tennessee defensive back Cordell Hudson (22) breaks up a pass in the hands of Appalachian State wide receiver Dominique Heath (4), causing an interception, in the second half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Middle Tennessee quarterback Brent Stockstill (12) dives across the goal line to avoid a safety as he is sacked by Appalachian State defensive lineman Okon Godwin (47) in the second half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Appalachian State wide receiver Corey Xavier Sutton (2) pulls in a touchdown reception against Middle Tennessee cornerback Darryl Randolph (29) and safety Kendricks Gladney (38) in the second half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Appalachian State interim head coach Mark Ivey holds up the bowl trophy after defeating Middle Tennessee in the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Appalachian State quarterback Zac Thomas (12) nearly fumbles the ball as he is tackled by Middle Tennessee safety Gregory Grate Jr. (3) on a carry in the second half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Appalachian State players hoist interim head coach Mark Ivey onto their shoulders after their victory over Middle Tennessee in the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Middle Tennessee wide receiver Isiah Upton (9) runs to the end zone on a touchdown reception in the second half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game against Appalachian State in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13 .(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Appalachian State wide receiver Corey Xavier Sutton (2) pulls in a touchdown reception against Middle Tennessee defensive back Cordell Hudson (22) in the second half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Appalachian State wide receiver Corey Xavier Sutton (2) celebrates his touchdown reception with teammates in the second half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Appalachian State wide receiver Dysaun Razzak celebrates with his team after their victory over Middle Tennessee in the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Middle Tennessee running back Terelle West (1) is tackled by Appalachian State defensive lineman Josh Houser (94) and linebacker Noel Cook (20) in the second half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Players dunk Appalachian State interim head coach Mark Ivey with ice water in the closing seconds of the second half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Appalachian State players celebrate in the closing minutes of the second half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Middle Tennessee wide receiver Isiah Upton (9) celebrates his touchdown reception in the second half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game against Appalachian State in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Stockstill, left, watches from the sideline in the second half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game against Appalachian State in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Appalachian State defensive lineman Okon Godwin (47) celebrates after sacking Middle Tennessee quarterback Brent Stockstill, on ground, in the second half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Appalachian State wide receiver Malik Williams (14) carries in the second half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Middle Tennessee offensive lineman Robert Behanan (74) reacts on the bench in the second half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game against Appalachian State in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Middle Tennessee offensive linemen Robert Behanan (74) and Carlos Johnson (55) react on the bench in the second half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game against Appalachian State in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Appalachian State won 45-13. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2018, file photo, Appalachian State quarterback Zac Thomas (12) passes in the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee in New Orleans. Thomas returns to the defending champion Mountaineers after ranking second in the Sun Belt Conference in total yards last season with 2,543. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)