Sun Belt Conference News and Notes

Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) –

ARKANSAS STATE: The Red Wolves never led at South Alabama until Sirgregory Thornton scored on a three-yard run midway through the fourth quarter, and they were able to hold on for a 17-16 victory. Adam Kennedy completed 15-of-17 passes for 136 yards and also led the team in rushing with 65 yards, which included a 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Fredi Knighten also saw action under center, going 6-of-8 for 24 yards, and he added 54 rushing yards. Allen Muse hauled in a season-high seven passes for 58 yards. Qushaun Lee was the standout performer for the defense, racking up 16 tackles. Arkansas State (4-4, 2-1 Sun Belt) continues its road swing this Saturday at ULM.

GEORGIA STATE: The Panthers’ winless season continued at home versus Western Kentucky over the weekend, falling behind by as many as 24 points on their way to a 44-28 setback. Ronnie Bell finished 26-of-41 for 325 yards and two touchdowns, his third 300-yard passing performance of the season, but he was also plagued by two interceptions. Albert Wilson (72 yards) led the receiving corps with seven receptions for 72 yards, while Avery Sweeting (five receptions, 71 yards, TD) and Robert Davis (four receptions, 84 yards, TD) where also reliable targets. Jonathan Jean-Bart (53 yards) and Travis Evans (30 yards) each tallied a rushing score, but the team averaged just 3.1 yards per carry. Georgia State (0-9, 0-4 Sun Belt) will try to gather itself during its bye week, and will return to action on Nov. 16 against Louisiana.

LOUISIANA: The Ragin’ Cajuns managed to overcome a 21-point, first-half deficit with a dominating second half, as they defeated New Mexico State at home, 49-35. The catalyst in the non-conference triumph was Alonzo Harris, who rushed for 106 yards and had a career-high five touchdowns. Elijah McGuire was also explosive in the ground game, turning a mere six carries into 72 yards and a score. Terrance Broadway was solid under center, completing 14-of-20 passes for 231 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Darryl Surgent (73 yards, TD), Jamal Robinson (68 yards) and James Butler (51 yards) all had solid outings at receiver. Louisiana (6-2) has now won six straight games and will attempt to continue its unbeaten run atop the Sun Belt Conference on Thursday night versus Troy.

TEXAS STATE: The Bobcats captured an impressive non-conference road victory over Idaho, 37-21, for their third consecutive win. Tyler Jones was nearly flawless on the afternoon, completing 19-of-24 passes for 228 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions, while adding 19 rushing yards. Robert Lowe did not finish with a strong yards-per-carry average (17 rushes, 61 yards), but he was still a difference-maker with a pair of touchdowns. Terrence Franks, a running back, had a career-best day thanks to his work as a receiver, hauling in two passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Michael Orakpo led the way with 11 tackles, while the unit as a whole held the Vandals to just 326 yards. Texas State (6-3) returns to conference action on Nov. 16 at Arkansas State.

SOUTH ALABAMA: The Jaguars led Arkansas State for nearly the entire game before allowing the go-ahead touchdown with 6:29 left in the fourth quarter, and they could not retake the advantage late as they fell, 17-16. Ross Metheny had a lackluster performance under center, completing just over half his passes (15-of-29) for 228 yards with an interception, although he did rush for a team-high 77 yards. The team’s only touchdown came on a two-yard rush by Kendall Houston in the third quarter, but he finished with only 14 yards on five carries. Shavarez Smith struck with a few big plays, catching three passes for 77 yards. The offense stalled in the red zone several times, as Aleem Sunanon booted three field goals of 30 yards or less. South Alabama (3-5, 1-3 Sun Belt), which has lost four of its last five games, has off this week and will play Navy on Nov. 16.

TROY: A late comeback attempt proved to be too little, too late for the Trojans, as they fell at home to ULM on Halloween night, 49-37, thus snapping a three-game win streak. Despite outgaining the Warhawks, 511-463, the Trojans were done in by losing the turnover battle (2-0) and committing 11 penalties. Corey Robinson completed 31-of-52 passes for 362 yards with a pair of touchdowns, one going to Bryan Holmes (four receptions, 67 yards), and the other finding the grasp of Wilson Van Hooser (three receptions, 61 yards). The signal caller also rushed for a score in the fourth quarter. Jordan Chunn turned 13 carries into 81 yards and scored his 10th touchdown of the season. Troy (5-4, 3-2 Sun Belt) has a difficult task on Thursday night, as it travels to Lafayette for a bout with first-place Louisiana.

ULM: In a Halloween shootout, the Warhawks outlasted Troy, 49-37, for their third straight win. Kolton Browning was outstanding under center, completing 21-of-31 passes for 354 yards with a career-high-tying six touchdowns (one rushing) and zero interceptions. Browning hooked up with both Ajalen Holley (four receptions, 74 yards) and Tre’ Perrier (two receptions, 52 yards) on a pair of touchdown strikes, while Rashon Ceaser (three receptions, 105 yards, TD) also benefited greatly from Browning’s big night. Centarius Donald acted as the featured back and shined with 114 yards and a score on 22 carries. The defense was gashed for 511 total yards, but the unit logged a pair of fumble recoveries. ULM (5-4, 3-1 Sun Belt) will try to continue its climb up the SBC standings this Saturday when it hosts Arkansas State

WESTERN KENTUCKY: The Hilltoppers managed to halt a two-game skid with an easy 44-28 road victory over a winless Georgia State squad. The ground game was put to work early and often, as the team finished with 203 yards on 46 carries. Antonio Andrews led the way with 110 yards for his eighth consecutive 100-yard rushing performance. Keshawn Simpson finished with only 25 yards on 10 attempts, but he acted as a goal-line vulture with a career-high four touchdowns, all of which came from three yards or closer. Brandon Doughty completed 15-of-24 passes for 206 yards with a touchdown and an interception. His scoring strike found the grasp of Tim Gorski (four receptions, 20 yards), while Willie McNeal (four receptions, 62 yards) was also active out wide. Xavius Boyd led the defense with 10 tackles. WKU (5-4, 2-3 Sun Belt) will step out of conference this Saturday afternoon to battle Army.

Categorized in: NCAA Football