Appalachian State 56, Coastal Carolina 37
BOONE, N.C. – Sandwiched around nearby lightning strikes, Appalachian State put up plenty of offensive fireworks to win its Sun Belt Conference opener. Zac Thomas had two touchdown passes while throwing for 246 yards and App State's three primary running backs accounted for a combined five rushing touchdowns in a 56-37 home win against Coastal Carolina on Saturday. The sold-out game at Kidd Brewer Stadium featured a two-hour, three-minute weather delay late in the first quarter.

Louisiana 37, Georgia Southern 24
STATESBORO, Ga. – Running backs Trey Ragas and Elijah Mitchell each scored twice on the ground on Saturday night to power Louisiana to a 37-24 road victory over Georgia Southern at Allen E. Paulson Stadium.

Arkansas State 50, Troy 43
TROY, Ala.  – An offensive shootout on Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium ended on a high note for Arkansas State football, with the Red Wolves coming away with an exciting 50-43 victory at Troy in the Sun Belt Conference opener. The Red Wolves (3-2, 1-0 Sun Belt) outgained the Trojans (2-2, 0-1) 558 yards to 510 in the slugfest, despite Troy running 22 more plays.

ULM 30, South Alabama 17
MONROE, La. – Caleb Evans threw for 286 yards and three touchdowns and Louisiana Monroe beat South Alabama 30-17 on Saturday night in a Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.

Texas State 24, Nicholls 3
SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State (2-3) scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to defeat Nicholls Colonels (2-2) by a score of 24-3 on Saturday night at Bobcat Stadium.