NEW ORLEANS – Following Week 5 action in Sun Belt Conference football, here is a snapshot of what people are saying across media outlets and social media:
Coastal Carolina at Appalachian State
Long before any of the current players arrived on the scenic campus in the North Carolina mountains, Appalachian State pulled off what is arguably the biggest upset in college football history — opening the 2007 season by going to Michigan and stunning the fifth-ranked Wolverines, 34-32. It was the first time a Football Championship Subdivision or Division I-AA team had beaten a ranked major college team. That game has been the subject of an ESPN “30 for 30” documentary and a book, “Appalachian State Silences the Big House.” - Washington Post (App State, Still the Biggest Little College Football Program Going)
The class of the Sun Belt Conference showed itself Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Appalachian State put up 56 points on a defense ranked eighth in the country to defeat Coastal Carolina 56-37. - MyrtleBeachOnline.com (Here’s How Coastal Carolina Fared Against the Top Team in the Sun Belt Conference)
Over 25,000 fans were on their feet cheering on the Mountaineers as they took the field ahead of their Sun Belt conference opener against Coastal Carolina at 3:30 p.m. Fireworks exploded, speakers blared and flags waved like they do at every game day at The Rock. Nearly five and a half hours later, and in front of many fewer fans, the Mountaineers walked off the field with a 56-37 win. - The Appalachian (Mountaineers Beat Coastal Carolina 56-37 Despite 2-Hour Weather Delay)
Neither Coastal Carolina, nor a brutal weather delay, could slow down the Appalachian State offense. - Winston-Salem Journal (App State Makes It Through Coastal Carolina, Lightning Delay with a Conference-Opening Win)
Not to take anything away from Appalachian State’s seven-headed offensive juggernaut nor a credible defensive effort, but the difference-maker in Saturday’s 56-37 victory over the Chanticleers was the Mountaineers’ special teams play. - Blowing Rock News (
App State Dances Past Coastal Carolina, 56-37)
Louisiana at Georgia Southern
UL’s football team won the rushing battle against Georgia Southern’s run-oriented option attack, and because of that the Ragin’ Cajuns also won the war. - The Acadiana Advocate (UL Rushes, Passes, Defends Its Way to 4-1 Start with Road Win over Georgia Southern)
For the first time this season, UL’s passing game showed some diversity. - The Acadiana Advocate (Kevin Foote's Three Takeaways from UL Georgia Southern Game)
Ragin’ Cajuns running back Trey Ragas gashed Southern’s defense to the tune of 131 yards and two scores in the victory, as the Eagles struggled to do much of anything against Louisiana’s high-powered offense and three-headed rushing attack. - Underdog Dynasty (Louisiana Comes into Statesboro, Hands Georgia Southern 37-24 Loss)
The game marked the first time that redshirt-junior quarterback Shai Werts has started since the team’s season opener at LSU. After a sluggish first half, GS picked up the momentum in the second half behind junior running back JD King and Werts, but it was not enough to stop the Louisiana rushing game. - The George-Anne (Georgia Southern Not Able to Overcome Louisiana's Strong Rushing Game in 37-24 Loss)
Arkansas State at Troy
Tanner Blatt had just gotten a new phone, so he didn’t recognize the number when he answered the call on Sept. 15. “I’m going to ask you the craziest question you’ve probably been asked,” the familiar voice on the other end of the line said. “You want to come back and play some football?” - The Athletic (From DoorDash-ing to Rushing (Yards): Troy’s Tanner Blatt Delivered When His Former Team Needed Him)
Layne Hatcher was expected to spend his freshman season as Arkansas State's backup quarterback. He proved he was more than ready for the full-time job Saturday night. - Jonesboro Sun (A-State Wins Shootout at Troy 50-43)
Troy’s offense continues to be prodigious, producing points at an astounding level. The Trojans reached 35 points Saturday for the fourth time in four games this season, but they suffered their second loss. - Montgomery Advertiser (Despite Potent Offense, Troy Sitting at .500 After Loss to Arkansas State)
The final box score resembled that of a video game. ASU (3-2, 1-0 Sun Belt) put up 558 yards of offense -- including 455 passing -- while Troy (2-2, 0-1 Sun Belt) had 510 yards. The teams also combined for six turnovers, four of them by ASU. But key defensive plays were sprinkled throughout for the Red Wolves. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Time Disappears in ASU's Victory)
South Alabama at ULM
“It’s one of those deals where we’re excited to win,” ULM head coach Matt Viator said. “After a really bad loss to Iowa State, we focused on starting 1-0 in the league and that’s what we did. - Monroe News Star (ULM Finds Fresh Start in Sun Belt, Beats South Alabama)
An old friend is set to return to JPS Field at Malone Stadium for Louisiana-Monroe’s Sun Belt Conference opener against South Alabama. Pro Football Hall of Famer Johnny Robinson will be recognized on the same field where he helped the late John David Crow reverse the gridiron fortunes of then-Northeast Louisiana University. Robinson was enshrined in Canton alongside the Class of 2019 in August. - Monroe News Star (ULM to Honor Johnny Robinson at South Alabama Game)
Nicholls at Texas State
Jake Spavital called last week’s win against Georgia State “the most complimentary football game” Texas State had played all year. But the Bobcats might have topped themselves on Saturday. (Complimentary ‘Cats Come Up With 24-3 Win Over Colonels)
“Just having the paddle, you know, what’s the meaning of it. The kids are running around the locker room with the paddle right now and I think it’s a great thing for this university,” head coach Jake Spavital said. (
For Bobcats Reclaiming Paddle Starts New Tradition)