Boone, NC -- (Sports Network) - Kevin Richardson rushed for 131 yards on 29 carries with four touchdowns, as defending national champion Appalachian State downed Montana State, 38-17, to advance to the semifinals of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, where it will face Youngstown State.

Armanti Edwards completed 7-of-14 passes for 79 yards with an interception for the Mountaineers (12-1), who have won 12 games in a row after losing the season opener to I-A North Carolina State, and have a 20-game overall winning streak against I- AA/FCS teams that dates back to a 34-31 loss to Furman on October 8, 2005.

Edwards also rushed for 105 yards on 17 attempts with a score. William Mayfield had five receptions for 60 yards for the Mountaineers, who also boast a 26-game home winning streak that has spanned four seasons.

Jack Rolovich completed 9-of-24 passes for 190 yards for Montana State (8-5), which was in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1984 and has lost only two of its past nine games after a 1-3 start, with the lone loss coming in a 13-7 defeat at Montana in the regular season finale.

Aaron Mason had 19 catches for 72 yards with a pair of touchdowns for Montana State, which, with a 31-13 victory at home against Furman in the first round, earned its first playoff win since its national championship season of 1984. Michael Jefferson carried twice for 14 yards and had four receptions for 99 yards. Donnell Wheaton notched 66 yards receiving on four catches.