BOONE, N.C. (AP) — Malachi Singleton threw for 331 yards, Appalachian State built a 19-point, fourth-quarter lead and the Mountaineers outlasted Charlotte 26-21 on Saturday night.

The game started more than two hours late after a delay caused by lightning and heavy rain.

Midway through the third quarter, Appalachian State (3-0) drove to the 1, was stopped on downs, then cashed in an interception when Singleton hit Chris Lofton with a 3-yard touchdown pass. The score was 19-7 after the Mountaineers failed on a 2-point conversion try.

Singleton completed 7 of 9 passes in a 74-yard drive that ended with his 7-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Grier, giving the Mountaineers a 26-7 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Charlotte (0-3) rallied with Khamani Alexander's 1-yard touchdown run and 2-point conversion, and Collin Gill's 36-yard touchdown return of a Singleton pass, making it 26-21 with 2:05 remaining in the game.

App State recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.

Singleton completed 28 of 42 passes with two touchdowns and an interception.

Charlotte's Cole Gonzales threw for 211 yards but was intercepted twice.

The Mountaineers took nearly seven minutes off the clock with a 14-play, 74-yard drive for their only touchdown of the first half, a 2-yard run by Jaquari Lewis. James London kicked two field goals and App State led 13-7 at halftime.

Charlotte: vs. Louisiana next Saturday.

Appalachian State: at N.C. State next Saturday. —-

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