It was fun in the Sun Belt Conference in Week 2. The SBC continues to show up and show out each week of this young college football season. Week 2 was epic, with two teams ranked in the Top Ten falling to Sun Belt teams. Appalachian State stunned #6 Texas A&M 17-14 on their home field and Marshall took down the #8 Fighting Irish of Notre Dame 26-21.
Here is a look back at the fun in the Sun Belt in Week 2
Fun in the Sun Belt
Appalachian State (1-1) 17 – #6 Texas A&M 14
The Mountaineers held the Aggies to just 186 total yards and only 9 first downs. In addition, their time of possession was a whopping 41:30. Texas A&M held the ball for only 18:30. App. State ran the ball 52 times for 186 yards and a touchdown. Headed into the game, Texas A&M was a -19 point favorite.
Georgia Southern (2-0) 45 – Nebraska 42
Ga. Southern (2-0) QB Kyle Vantrease completed 37 of 56 passes for 409 yards and a touchdown. RB Gerald Green rushed for 132 yards and 2 TDs (13.2 average). The hapless Cornhuskers fall to 1-2.
Marshall (2-0) 26 – #8 Notre Dame 21
RB Khalan Laborn rushed 31 carries for 163 yards and a touchdown. DB Stephen Gilmore intercepted a pass and returned it 37 yards for a score. Marcus Freeman is now 0-3 as head coach of the Fighting Irish (dating back to the Fiesta Bowl in January).
Louisiana (2-0) 49 – Eastern Michigan 21
Ragin’ Cajun QB Chandler Fields tossed 3 TD passes. RBs Chris Smith and Dre’lyn Washington each rushed for a touchdown. WR John Stephens caught 3 passes for 103 yards and a score. The Louisiana defense recorded four sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 3 INTs.
In addition, the victory extends a 15-game winning streak dating back to last season.
Coastal Carolina (2-0) 31 – Gardner-Webb 27
QB Grayson McCall completed 22 of 30 passes for 308 yards and three TDs and 1 INT. The Chanticleer defense forced five turnovers, four sacks, and six tackles for loss.
James Madison (2-0) 63 – Norfolk State 7
Over the past two weeks, JMU has outscored their opponents 107-7. Against Norfolk St., the Dukes were 6 of 10 on 3rd down conversions. JMU QB Todd Centerio threw three TD passes. RB Percy Agyei-Obese rushed for two scores. WR Kris Thornton caught seven passes for 102 yards and two TDs. The Dukes held Norfolk to just 9 yards rushing.
South Alabama (2-0) 38 – Central Michigan 24
South Alabama gained 502 yards of total offense. Jags QB Carter Bradley passed for 354 yards and 3 TDs. RB Ladamian Webb rushed for 91 yards and 2 TDs. WR Jalen Wayne caught 10 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown.
Troy (1-1) 38 – Alabama A&M 17
The Trojans gained 522 yards of total offense. QB Gunnar Watson passed for 351 yards, 4 TDs, and 2 INTs. WR Jabre Barber caught 5 passes for 105 yards. The Trojans’ defense recorded 4 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, and 2 INTs.
Texas State (1-1) 41 – FIU 12
Bobcats QB Layne Hatcher passed for 228 yards and three touchdowns. RB Calvin Hill rushed for 195 yards and a touchdown. The Texas State defense posted 3 sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
Louisiana-Monroe (1-1) 35 – Nicholls St. 7
Warhawks QB Chandler Rogers completed 20 of 25 passes for 253 yards and 2 TDs. In addition, Rogers rushed for 55 yards and another score. RBs Malik Jackson and Andrew Henry rushed for a touchdown.
Georgia State (0-2) 28 – North Carolina 35
Ga. State QB Darren Grainger passed for 186 yards and 3 TDs. WR Robert Lewis caught seven passes for 115 yards and 2 TDs. On defense, Blake Carroll, Jontrey Hunter, and Jordan Veneziale combined for 31 tackles.
Southern Miss 7 (0-2) – #15 Miami 30
The Canes ruined Golden Eagles RB Frank Gore’s homecoming, but Southern Miss may have finally found their quarterback in Zach Wilcke. Wilcke passed for 207 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. WR Jason Brownlee caught five passes for 102 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Malik Shorts racked up 13 tackles, and the Golden Eagles sacked Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke four times and recorded eight tackles for loss.
Old Dominion (1-1) 21 – East Carolina 39
QB Hayden Wolff passed for 275 yards and 3 TDs, with 1 INT. WR Ali Jennings III caught 8 passes for 200 yards and 3 TDs. On defense, Jason Henderson racked up 14 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a tackle for loss. In addition, the Monarchs recorded 4 sacks and 8 tackles for loss.
Fun in the Sun Belt-A Catalyst for Chaos
Chaos reigns in the AP poll this week. That chaos is the result of something that actually happened on a football field and not by a group of people in a hotel meeting room somewhere.
What a refreshing concept.
Thanks for reading.