NEW ORLEANS — Old Dominion held its fourth opponent of the season to seven-or-fewer points as it clinched bowl eligibility, while James Madison posted its fourth-straight second-half shutout to remain undefeated in conference play.
Coastal Carolina—44-27 over Marshall—and Arkansas State—23-10 over Troy—earned pivotal wins on national television to remain a game back of their respective division leaders and control their own destinies in pursuit of a Credit Union 1 Sun Belt Football Championship Game presented by Visit Pensacola berth.
Redshirt junior quarterback Alonza Barnett III accounted for five touchdowns, as James Madison ran away from Texas State, 52-20, in front of a national television audience on ESPN2 on Tuesday night. Barnett III completed 12-of-18 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for a team-high 98 yards and a score. Redshirt senior wide receiver Nick DeGennaro carded a second-consecutive 100-yard effort, with three catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Fellow redshirt senior running back Jordan Fuller also punched in two scores, while accumulating 46 rushing yards.
The Dukes defensive unit recorded interceptions on back-to-back possessions out of the break—as part of a three-takeaway day—propelling James Madison to a 21-point third quarter that blew the game open. James Madison posted its fourth-straight second-half shutout against Sun Belt opposition en route to its sixth-straight win to remain alone atop the Sun Belt East Division.
Texas State redshirt freshman quarterback Brad Jackson accounted for both Bobcat touchdowns in the losing effort, throwing for 230 yards and a touchdown and adding a team-high 43 rushing yards and a score.
Coastal Carolina scored 27 unanswered points to outpace Marshall, 44-27, in front of a national television audience on ESPN2 on Thursday night. The Chanticleers defense halted four-straight Thundering Herd third-quarter drives with takeaways, as Coastal Carolina flipped a 10-point deficit into a 10-point lead.
Redshirt senior quarterback Samari Collier accounted for four touchdowns—two through the air and two on the ground—as he threw for 196 yards and rushed for 75 more. Freshman running back Dominic Knicely led the way with 76 rushing yards, including a 59-yard touchdown run. A 69-yard touchdown reception by super senior wideout Malcom Gillie made him the Chanticleers leading receiver in the win.
A fruitful connection between redshirt sophomores quarterback Lunch Winfield and wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. propelled Louisiana to a 31-22 victory over South Alabama. Winfield was nearly perfect, completing 14-of-15 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns—both to Sampson Jr. His 93 percent completion rate was a Ragin’ Cajuns single-game program record.
Sampson Jr. hauled in six receptions for a career-high 138 yards and the two Ragin’ Cajuns aerial scores. Winfield also rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown, while running backs redshirt junior Zylan Perry and redshirt sophomore Bill Davis each carried the ball for 56 yards. Louisiana’s defense was stout in the closing minutes, registering a goal-line stand inside the one-yard line with 2:41 to play, before senior linebacker Jaden Duggar carded a game-sealing interception with 1:30 remaining to cap an 11-tackle day.
With six catches for 102 yards and a touchdown, Jaguars redshirt freshman wide receiver Jeremy Scott recorded his second-straight 100-yard outing in the losing effort. Redshirt junior quarterback Bishop Davenport threw for 203 yards and rushed for 42 more, while contributing one touchdown through the air and another in the ground game.
An opening-drive, 51-yard pick six by senior defensive back Boogie Trotter headlined the Marshall performances. Redshirt junior running back Antwan Roberts went over the century mark for the first time in a Thundering Herd uniform, amassing a career-high 134 yards on 15 carries.
Old Dominion never trailed, as it clinched bowl eligibility with a 31-6 victory over ULM. The Monarchs scored 31-straight to open the contest, in a three-touchdown showing from redshirt sophomore quarterback Colton Joseph. Joseph threw for 231 yards and rushed for a team-high 72 yards and a career-high three touchdowns.
Fellow redshirt sophomore wide receiver Tre’ Brown III caught a career-high five passes for a team-high 83 yards, while redshirt junior linebacker Jahleel Culbreath led the defense with seven tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack. It was the fourth time this season the Monarchs held an opponent to seven-or-fewer points, a program record.
Warhawks senior running back Zach Palmer-Smith rushed for a team-high 96 yards on 18 carries in defeat, as junior defensive back Jabari Tiller paced the defensive unit with seven tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
In front of a national television audience on ESPNU, Arkansas State rode a 17-point first quarter to a 23-10 win over Troy. The Red Wolves scored on each of their three first-quarter drives, while limiting the Trojans to just 18 yards in the frame. Junior quarterback Jaylen Raynor completed 21-of-29 passes for 247 yards and touchdowns to redshirt junior tight end Tyler Fortenberry and redshirt sophomore wide receiver Hunter Summers.
Junior kicker Clune Van Andel did the rest of the scoring for Arkansas State, converting from 30, 31 and 53 yards. The Red Wolves defense registered nine sacks and 12 tackles for loss, including two from redshirt senior defensive lineman Demarcus Hendricks. With Troy looking to cut the Arkansas State advantage to one possession midway through the fourth quarter, senior defensive back AG McGhee came down with a pivotal interception, setting up Van Andel’s game-sealing final field goal.
Senior linebacker Jordan Stringer amassed 12 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss to pace the Trojans defense in defeat. Troy junior running back Tae Meadows led the way offensively with 69 all-purpose yards (48 rushing, 21 receiving).
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SUN BELT FOOTBALL – WEEK 10 RESULTS
James Madison def. Texas State, 52-20
Coastal Carolina def. Marshall, 44-27
Louisiana def. South Alabama, 31-22
Old Dominion def. ULM, 31-6
Arkansas State def. Troy, 23-10