2018 Sun Belt Football News and Notes:
Week 9 Release (PDF) | Standings | Composite Schedule | Stats | Championship Info
AROUND #SUNBELTFB
Sun Belt Breaks Regular Season Non-Conference Win Total
After two more non-conference wins this past weekend, the Sun Belt total for non-conference wins this season now sits at 20. That total is good for the most regular season non-conference wins in league history, breaking the record of 19 that was set in 2013. Including the postseason, the Sun Belt’s record for non-conference wins in a season is 22, which was set in 2016. The conference has a minimum total of six remaining non-conference games with Texas State hosting New Mexico State this week and then five postseason bowl games.
Rivalries Highlight Two ESPN Mid-Week Sun Belt Contests
Two conference football games will air this week on ESPN networks. First up, Troy travels to South Alabama for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff on ESPN2. On Thursday, Georgia Southern hosts No. 25 Appalachian State for a 6:30 p.m. (CT) kickoff on ESPNU. Both games are considered to be among the top rivalries in the Sun Belt.
App State Earns First-Ever Top 25 Ranking
At 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the Sun Belt Conference, Appalachian State earned its first Top 25 ranking as an FBS member when the newly released AP Poll on Sunday listed App State at No. 25. It’s tied for the highest ranking ever for a Sun Belt team - Troy hit No. 25 in the AP Poll during the 2016 season is the only other case of a Sun Belt team being ranked in either poll. With a school-record 78 voting points in this week’s Amway Coaches Poll, the Mountaineers are one spot outside the 25th spot, 17 voting points behind Miami. Appalachian was unofficially No. 29 in last week’s AP Poll and No. 31 in last week’s Coaches Poll.
Georgia Southern First Sun Belt Team to Hit Bowl Eligible Mark
Georgia Southern became the first Sun Belt team to achieve six wins on the season and in the process hit the bowl eligible mark for the second time in school history. The Eagles now stand at 6-1 on the season and 3-0 in conference play. Georgia Southern’s only loss on the year came to No. 2 Clemson. The Eagles face another ranked opponent when they host conference rival No. 25 Appalachian State on Thursday.
CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Darrynton Evans, Appalachian State (So., RB, Oak Hill, Fla.)
In his second career start, Evans set career highs with 203 all-purpose yards, 183 rushing yards and 26 rushing attempts, scoring two total touchdowns to lead App State to a 27-17 victory over Louisiana. His 20-yard reception in the first half was his first career receiving TD. He also had a touchdown run that gave the Mountaineers an early 7-0 lead. On a day when the Mountaineers passing attack wasn’t clicking on all cylinders, Evans carried the load, including a third-quarter, 65-yard run that set up an App State touchdown to give his team a 24-10 lead. On the season, Evans now has three rushing touchdowns, a receiving touchdown and a kickoff return touchdown.
CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Justice Hansen, Arkansas State (Sr., QB, Edmond, Okla.)
Senior quarterback Justice Hansen was responsible for five touchdowns and 333 yards total offense while also breaking the Arkansas State school record for career passing touchdowns during the Red Wolves’ 51-35 victory over Georgia State. The Edmond, Okla., native completed three touchdown passes, running his career total to 70 that gave him the sixth most in Sun Belt Conference history. Hansen, who completed 17-of-28 passes without an interception, passed for 257 yards and added 76 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground. His two rushing touchdowns tied his career high and his five touchdowns responsible for were only one shy of his career best. He completed multiple touchdown passes for the third time this season and 21st time of his career, and he passed for at least 200 yards for the fourth time this year and 23rd time of his career.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tajhea Chambers, Arkansas State (So., LB, Gordon, Ga.)
Sophomore linebacker Tajhea Chambers recorded seven tackles and a career-high two fumble recoveries, including one he returned 34 yards for his first career touchdown, during Arkansas State’s 51-35 victory over Georgia State. His first recovery stopped a Georgia State drive that reached A-State’s 20-yard line, helping preserve a 20-7 Red Wolves lead. His touchdown score on his second recovery gave A-State a 34-7 lead they took into halftime. Two of Chambers’ seven tackles, which were the second most on the team, also came on fourth-down plays that ended Georgia State drives. The Gordon, Ga., native now has four career fumble recoveries to his credit, while his 45 tackles this season are the third most on the squad.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tyler Bass, Georgia Southern (Jr., PK, Irmo, S.C.)
In windy conditions at New Mexico State, Georgia Southern junior kicker Tyler Bass made all six of his PATS, made 41-yard and 25-yard field goals, and had six touchbacks in nine kickoffs.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Tuesday, October 23
* Troy at South Alabama, 7:00 p.m. (ESPN2)
Thursday, October 25
* #25 Appalachian State at Georgia Southern, 6:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
Saturday, October 27
* Coastal Carolina at Georgia State, 1:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
* Arkansas State at Louisiana, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
New Mexico State at Texas State, 6:00 p.m. (ESPN3)
All Times are Central and Subject to Change
* - Sun Belt Conference contest
RECENT RESULTS
Saturday, October 20
Coastal Carolina 24, UMass 13 (Eleven Sports)
* Appalachian State 27, Louisiana 17 (ESPN+)
Georgia Southern 48, New Mexico State 31 (Aggie Vision)
* ULM 20, Texas State 14 (ESPN3)
Thursday, October 18
* Arkansas State 51, Georgia State 35 (ESPNU)
* - Sun Belt Conference contest
#SUNBELTFB TEAM NEWS AND NOTES
#25 Appalachian State
Overall vs. Georgia Southern: 34th Meeting – App. State Leads, 19-13-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 9, 2017 (W, 27-6) – Boone, N.C.
Appalachian State is 30-3 in its last 33 league games and 14-2 in its last 16 conference road games.
App State has played Georgia Southern annually since 1993, when the Eagles joined the Mountaineers in the Southern Conference, and Thursday will be the first time since 2000 that they meet with both teams possessing at least a 3-0 conference record.
The Mountaineers and Eagles joined the Sun Belt Conference in 2014. In their 21 years as SoCon rivals, they had three showdowns as top-five FCS teams (2011, 2000, 1998) and nine total matchups as top-15 FCS teams (also 2012, 2004, 2002, 2001, 1999, 1995).
In conference games, App State running back Darrynton Evans leads the Sun Belt in rushing yards per game (119.7) and all-purpose yards per game (142.0). He became App State’s primary running back during the Mountaineers’ second conference game and followed a 115-yard rushing effort at Arkansas State with 183 rushing yards against Louisiana. He also had a 20-yard touchdown reception against the Ragin’ Cajuns.
In conference games, linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither is averaging a league-leading 12.3 tackles per game. His 15 tackles against Louisiana are the most by a Sun Belt player in a game this season, and the 14 tackles he had at Arkansas State are tied with teammate Jordan Fehr for the second-most.
Arkansas State
Overall vs. Louisiana: 45th Meeting – Louisiana Leads, 23-21-1
Last Meeting: Oct. 10, 2017 (W, 47-3) – Jonesboro, Ark.
The Red Wolves are 4-3 or better after seven games for the fourth time in five seasons under head coach Blake Anderson (2018, 2017, 2015, 2014).
A-State holds a 23-3 record over its last 26 games played in October.
Following last week’s game against Georgia State, Arkansas State has now claimed nine victories over its last 10 midweek games (Tue.-Thur.) and stands 20-7 in all midweek games played since it joined the Sun Belt in 2001.
Head coach Blake Anderson has moved into a tie for the fifth most wins ever by a head coach at A-State. Arkansas State has 79 all-time Sun Belt Conference wins and has won 47 victories over its last 58 league games.
The Red Wolves finished the Georgia State game with 530 yards total offense, its second most of the season behind only its 676 yards versus SEMO. A-State produced over 500 yards total offense for the second time this season.
The Red Wolves have recorded at least one sack in 31 consecutive games and 5.0 or more tackles for loss in 34 of their last 36 outings.
Coastal Carolina
Overall vs. Georgia State: Second Meeting – Georgia State Leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Oct. 7, 2017 (L, 21-27) – Conway, S.C.
Coastal Carolina snapped a two-game losing streak with a 24-13 road win at UMass last weekend. The Chants not only improved to 2-0 versus UMass all-time, but also posted their fourth win of the season, surpassing their wins total from all of last season (3-9).
CCU’s offense put up a total of 498 yards for the game, the second-most for them this season, including 279 yards on 52 rushing attempts. Senior wide receiver Malcolm Williams registered a season-high 153 receiving yards on just four catches, including a 61-yard touchdown pass from Fred Payton, while senior running back Marcus Outlow just missed the 100-yard mark with 91 yards on 17 carries and a score.
The Chants shuffled three quarterbacks in-and-out of the game versus UMass, as Payton highlighted the trio with a career day – 5-for-7, 107 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The true freshman also rushed for a career-high 44 yards on five carries.
CCU’s defense held UMass, who was averaging 36.3 points (30th nationally) per game, to just 13 points and only one touchdown over the four quarters of play. The Chants recorded a season-high 6.0 sacks, 10.0 tackles for loss and nine pass breakups in the strong performance, which also included holding the Minutemen to just 63 rushing yards over 22 carries.
Coastal will jump back into Sun Belt Conference play this week, hitting the road once more to take on Georgia State in Atlanta. The Panthers edged CCU 27-21 last season in the two team’s first-ever meeting.
Georgia Southern
Overall vs. Appalachian State: 34th Meeting – App. State Leads, 19-13-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 9, 2017 (L, 6-27) – Boone, N.C.
Georgia Southern and Appalachian State have met 33 previous times with the Mountaineers holding a 19-13-1 lead in a series that dates back to 1932.
App State holds a 16-11 advantage in games played in the modern era (since 1982 when GS re-started its program) and has won the past three games, as well as six of the past seven.
This will be the fifth straight GS/App State contest played on a Thursday night.
The two schools battled as members of the Southern Conference from 1993-2013.
Georgia Southern is 6-5 all-time in games played on Thursdays, 3-2 at home and 3-3 on the road.
GS is 4-4 all-time on short rest (less than seven days) and won earlier this year at Texas State.
GS head coach Chad Lunsford spent two seasons on the staff at App State as a tight ends coach (2001-2002). After marrying his wife, Tippy, the couple lived in the basement of App head coach Scott Satterfield the final year.
GS defensive coordinator Scot Sloan was at App State from 2010-17.
Georgia State
Overall vs. Coastal Carolina: Second Meeting – Georgia State Leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Oct. 7, 2017 (W, 27-21) – Conway, S.C.
Playing its first home game in four weeks, Georgia State hosts Coastal Carolina for Homecoming Saturday at Georgia State Stadium.
Quarterback Dan Ellington is third in the Sun Belt in total offense, averaging 256.6 yards per game while accounting for 12 touchdowns with just two interceptions. He is completing 62.3 percent with 1,474 yards passing and 322 net rushing yards, leading the team in both categories.
Junior Penny Hart is GSU’s leading receiver with 34 receptions for 453 yards and one touchdown, along with 100.6 all-purpose yards per game.
With 2,734 receiving yards, Hart has moved into fifth place in Sun Belt history. He needs 93 yards to pass No. 4 J.D. McKissic of Arkansas State (2012-15). Hart is tied for seventh with 187 career receptions.
Among all active FBS receivers, Hart is tied for first in career receiving yards per game (80.4), third in career receiving yards (2,734), third in receptions per game (5.50), sixth in receptions (187) and 10th in touchdown receptions (18), all in just 34 games.
Brandon Wright is third in the nation with an average of 50.1 yards per punt, which helps Georgia State stand third nationally in net punting at 43.91.
Louisiana
Overall vs. Arkansas State: 45th Meeting – Louisiana Leads, 23-21-1
Last Meeting: Oct. 10, 2017 (L, 3-47) – Jonesboro, Ark.
Louisiana had its two-game winning streak snapped with a 27-17 loss at Appalachian State on Oct. 20.
Louisiana has yet to get a win over App State in school history, but the 27-17 loss is the smallest score margin in the all-time series history with App State, beating the previous margin of 19 points when App State won 35-16 in 2014.
The Ragin’ Cajuns recovered an onside kick for the first time since 2013 when they fell on a late fourth quarter onside kick that the Cajuns had attempted.
Louisiana held App State to 55 yards passing in the first half and that is the lowest amount of passing yards that the Mountaineers have been held to in the first half this season.
Defensive lineman LaDarrius Kidd finished with 10 tackles during the game, which was a career-high and it is the first time since 2016, when Joe Dillon had 10 tackles against New Mexico State, that a Louisiana D-Lineman had at least 10 tackles in a game.
Louisiana scored a fourth quarter touchdown against App State, when sophomore running back Trey Ragas stormed in from 27 yards out. That is the first time that App State has surrounded a second-half point since the season opener against No. 9 Penn State.
ULM
Off week
ULM leads the Sun Belt in sacks, with 23 for 153 yards. The Warhawks have recorded multiple sacks in six of their eight games, including five each at Southern Miss (36 yards) and at Coastal Carolina (37 yards). ULM has already exceeded last year’s season total, as the Warhawks managed 21 sacks (137 yards) in 12 games.
In its 20-14 Homecoming victory over Texas State, ULM’s defense permitted a season-low 242 yards total offense, forced a season-high eight punts, recorded 10 tackles for loss (38 yards) and limited the Bobcats to just 2-of-13 on third-down conversions. The 14 points also marked the fewest allowed by ULM under head coach Matt Viator.
ULM fifth-year senior linebacker David Griffith recorded a season-high nine tackles (4 solos, 5 assists), including 1.5 for losses (4 yards), against Texas State. Griffith has produced at least one tackle for loss in each of the last three games and in five of eight games overall.
South Alabama
Overall vs. Troy: Seventh Meeting – Series Tied 3-3
Last Meeting: Oct. 11, 2017 (W, 19-8) – Troy, Ala.
South begins a stretch of five straight Sun Belt Conference games to end the regular season when rival Troy comes to Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 23.
It will be the only time this fall that the Jaguars will play back-to-back contests at home after defeating Alabama State 45-7 last weekend to end a three-game losing streak.
First-year Jag head coach Steve Campbell and USA coordinators Kenny Edenfield — who came to South after 10 years on the Trojan staff, the last eight of which he served as offensive coordinator — and Greg Stewart, were teammates on Troy’s 1987 NCAA Division II national championship squad.
Since the inception of the “Battle for The Belt” in 2015, the visiting team has earned the trophy every season while neither school has won back-to-back in the series since the Jaguars accomplished the feat in 2014 and ’15.
Tra Minter scored on a 75-yard punt return after the Jaguars forced a three-and-out by Alabama State to open the second half of Saturday’s contest, the longest in school history and the first run back for a touchdown since Jeremé Jones’ 54-yard effort in the 2010 season opener against Pikeville (Ky.). The junior finished the game with 88 yards — the second-highest total in the program’s record books — on three punt returns while adding a pair of kickoff returns for an additional 73 including a 45-yard effort after the Hornets’ only score of the contest that set up a 49-yard touchdown drive.
Texas State
Overall vs. New Mexico State: Fifth Meeting – Series Tied 2-2
Last Meeting: Nov. 4, 2017 (L, 27-45) – San Marcos, Texas
Texas State will play its annual Homecoming game against New Mexico State this week. The Bobcats have a 46-34-1 record in Homecoming games.
For the first time since Texas State underwent a name change in 2003, the Bobcats will wear throwback uniforms as part of a special tribute to the teams from the Southwest Texas State era.
Freshman quarterback Tyler Vitt scored his second touchdown of the season when he rushed seven yards for a touchdown. He also scored his first touchdown on a one-yard run at UTSA. Vitt completed 15 of 25 passes for 115 yards.
Robert Brown, Jr. led the Bobcats in rushing with 46 yards on 10 carries. Brown, Jr. scored his first career touchdown on a three-yard run with 7:18 left to play in the game.
Texas State’s fumble recovery by Ishmael Davis was his second recovery of the season, tying him for the team lead with A.J. Krawczyk. Clifton Lewis, Jr. had his first career fumble recovery with 11:14 to play in the game. Texas State’s two fumble recoveries at ULM marks the second time this season that it has recovered two or more fumbles in a game. The Bobcats had three recoveries at South Alabama.
Troy
Overall vs. South Alabama: Seventh Meeting – Series Tied 3-3
Last Meeting: Oct. 11, 2017 (L, 8-19) – Troy, Ala.
Troy’s loss to Liberty snapped Trojan’s nine-game road winning streak which was the second-longest in the country.
Redshirt sophomore Sawyer Smith made his first career start at quarterback for the Trojans against the Flames.
Deondre Douglas moved into a tie for seventh place all-time in Troy history with his 15th career touchdown reception; he also moved into fourth place with 163 career receptions.
B.J. Smith rushed for 111 yards on 20 carries in the game to become the first Trojan since DeWhitt Betterson in 2004 (Louisiana, Middle Tennessee, Northern Illinois) to top the century mark in three consecutive games. Smith rushed for 103 yards against Coastal Carolina and 143 yards against Georgia State.
Cedarius Rookard intercepted his sixth career pass and first of the season to end Liberty’s second drive of the game. It was Troy’s 70th forced turnover since the start of the 2016 season; the Trojans entered the week third nationally with its 69 turnovers forced since 2016.