The roots of Appalachian State's current success are built upon the same foundations most dynasties at the Division I level of college football are built upon—hard work,  a passionate following, and top tier talent at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level.

After missing the playoffs for the second-consecutive season in 2004, ASU’s seeds of success were sewn in the most unlikely of places—the visiting locker room at Western Carolina.

The Mountaineers had just dropped a 30-27 decision to the Catamounts, which meant the Mountaineers would miss the playoffs for the second straight season and finished the campaign with just a 6-5 overall mark.