NEW ORLEANS – Following Week 12 action in Sun Belt Conference football, here is a snapshot of what people are saying across media outlets and social media:
Sun Belt
"I think our league is getting more recognition and it's well deserved," said Cajuns' head coach Billy Napier. "The quality of the play, the caliber of player, the caliber of coach. You're seeing more winning football, whether it's crossover game with other G5 or Power 5 matchups." (
The Sun Belt Is Peaking, and the Numbers Back It Up)
If the committee were puckish about things, of course, it could have placed Appalachian State at No. 4, then cupped its ears and listened for all the caterwauling. As a bonus, the Mountaineers’ deservingness of that spot would have been identical to everybody else’s. - Washington Post (
Georgia Is No. 4 in Latest College Football Playoff Rankings, But Nobody Deserves That Spot)
Coastal Carolina at Arkansas State
Layne Hatcher found senior slot receiver Kirk Merritt over the middle for a game-tying 21-yard touchdown pass with 32 seconds left, then-sophomore kicker Blake Grupe made the extra point as the Red Wolves escaped with a 28-27 victory. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Wolves Weather a Litany of Follies)
“Sometimes you have to find a way to win on your bad days,’’ said Layne Hatcher, who was 24 of 35 with 2 interceptions and 305 yards. ‘It wasn't until the final 1:30. The defense came through; they carried the load today.” - 247News.com (It's No Beauty But Red Wolves Bowl Eligible Again)
ULM at Georgia Southern
In a 51-29 win against ULM, the Eagles scored five offensive touchdowns, returned an interception for a touchdown and returned an onside kick for a touchdown. Georgia Southern also scored three ways against Minnesota and New Mexico State earlier this year. - The Athletic (
The 18 Most Interesting Stats from College Football’s Week 12)
“I can’t say enough about our guys, they are a special group,” Georgia Southern head coach Chad Lunsford said. “We scored in all three phases of the game. So that tells you about the team effort right there. I’m proud of our offense playing for our defense, our defense playing for our offense and our special teams setting up both of them.” - Augusta Chronicle (
Georgia Southern Crushes ULM, Becomes Bowl Eligible)
In another cold and rainy contest, the team rushed for 245 yards and saw the return of redshirt-sophomore running back Matt LaRoche after an absent Troy game. The running game was led by junior running back J.D. King’s 102 yards while junior running back Wesley Kennedy III had 76 yards and 19 carries. - The George-Anne (Georgia Southern Secures Bowl Nod with 51-29 Victory Over ULM)
Troy at Texas State
Kaleb Barker threw for 363 yards and a program-record six touchdown passes to lead Troy in a 63-27 rout of Texas State on Saturday. - Associated Press (
Barker Throws Record 6 TD Passes, Troy Routs Texas State 63-27)
“I was really pleased with the way we came out, especially in the first half,” Troy coach Chip Lindsey said after the game. “I thought we executed well for the most part. ... I’m really pleased with the way we finished. Some good carry over all away around with offense, defense and special teams from last week. We talked about keeping that momentum. We did a pretty good job of that.” - AL.com (Troy’s Kaleb Barker Ties School Record with 6 TD Passes in Win Over Texas State)
Troy scored its most points since a 66-3 win over Savannah State in 2013 and its most in a Sun Belt since joining the league in 2004. The previous Sun Belt high was two years ago in a 62-9 win over Texas State. - Montgomery Advertiser (History: Kaleb Barker Ties 51-Year-Old School Record in Troy Trojans' Win Over Texas State Bobcats)
Troy’s passing offense is routinely a treat to watch and it took the fireworks show to an even more entertaining level this weekend. Barker took the Trojans’ aerial attack to Texas and put on a show against the Bobcats’ secondary. The senior put on an outstanding display with precision passing and a willingness to get everyone involved. He completed a pass to 11 different receivers to fuel his way to a six-touchdown, 363-yard performance and a decisive 63-27 victory. - SportsNaut (15 Most Jaw-Dropping Performances from CFB Week 12)
RV Louisiana at South Alabama
There were 12 minutes and 41 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, and Billy Napier’s Ragin’ Cajuns faced 4th-and-short at their own 39-yard line. Whatever Napier said during the timeout worked, as Elijah Mitchell picked up a 13-yard gain. - Lafayette Daily Advertiser (Cajuns Went for It When It Mattered at South Alabama)
The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns may not have played their best game of the season on Saturday in Mobile but they grabbed a win in their final road game of the regular season 37-27 over the South Alabama Jaguars. - KPEL Radio (Ragin' Cajuns Outlast South Alabama in Mobile)
The Ragin' Cajuns trailed underdog South Alabama as late as the third quarter, but a couple of Stevie Artigue field goals reclaimed the lead for UL and two fourth-quarter touchdowns put the game on ice. (he Ragin' Cajuns trailed underdog South Alabama as late as the third quarter, but a couple of Stevie Artigue field goals reclaimed the lead for UL and two fourth-quarter touchdowns put the game on ice. - Lafayette Daily Advertiser (Buckley's Breakdown: Artigue Kicks His Way Into UL Record Books as Cajuns Outlast South Alabama)
No. 25 Appalachian State at Georgia State
What was the biggest takeaway from Appalachian State’s 56-27 victory against Georgia State on Saturday? All the stellar performances. - Winston-Salem Journal (The Players Who Starred in No. 25 App State's Win at Georgia State)
Appalachian State took control of the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference with its 56-27 win over East rival Georgia State Nov. 16 at Georgia State Stadium, which used to be known at Turner Field. - Watauga Democrat (Appalachian State Pounds Georgia State 56-27)
After falling behind 21-7 midway through the first quarter, Appalachian State rallied to score 49 unanswered points to defeat Georgia State, 56-21. - Blowing Rock News (
Statement Game: Mountaineers Rebound and Then Some, 56-27 Over Georgia State)
No. 23 Appalachian State moved into the rankings for the second time this season. - Associated Press (
AP Top 25: Georgia Edges Past Alabama to No. 4?)
We’ll find out on Tuesday night where Appalachian State ranks in the College Football Playoff selection committee’s rankings compared to other Group of 5 contenders Cincinnati (beat USF with a last-second field goal), Memphis and Boise State. The highest-ranked Group of Five champion will be selected to play in a New Year's Six bowl game. - NBCSports.com (Appalachian State Stays in the Group of 5 Race with Big Win at Georgia State)