Tag: Sun Belt

Nov 23, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs quarterback Evan Bullock (7) passes during the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas won 35-14. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Report: Louisiana Tech leaving CUSA for Sun Belt

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Louisiana Tech is leaving Conference USA to become the 14th member of the Sun Belt Conference, ESPN reported.

Sun Belt officials reportedly approved the move on Monday to replace Texas State, which recently jumped to the Pac-12.

Louisiana Tech has been with Conference USA since 2013. The Bulldogs’ basketball programs and other sports besides football previously were part of the Sun Belt from 1991-2001 before joining the Western Athletic Conference from 2001-13.

The earliest date Louisiana Tech can join the Sun Belt is 2026. It reportedly will cost the school at least $5 million to negotiate an exit from Conference USA.

The Bulldogs’ football program has not finished above .500 since going 10-3 under former coach Skip Holtz in 2019. They were 5-8 last season under Sonny Cumbie.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team has topped 20 wins in 11 of the past 13 seasons but has not been to the NCAA Tournament since 1991.

The women’s basketball team finished 18-16 last season and has not been to the NCAA Tournament since 2011.

–Field Level Media

Sept. 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd running back A.J. Turner (5) is pursued by Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Hero Kanu (93) during the first half of an NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.

Marshall fined $100K by Sun Belt for pulling out of bowl game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Marshall’s decision to opt out of December’s Independence Bowl against Army is turning out to be a costly one.

The Sun Belt Conference issued the school a $100,000 fine for not participating in the Dec. 28 contest, which Marshall said was due to a loss of more than 25 players to the transfer portal.

The exodus was in part due to the departure of head coach Charles Huff, who took the head coaching job at Southern Miss after the Thundering Herd won the Sun Belt title with a 31-3 win over Louisiana.

In a statement released Friday, the conference expressed some understanding of Marshall’s decision but ultimately called the move “detrimental” to the Sun Belt and others affected by the decision.

“While the conference acknowledges the medical model and best practice guidance adhered to by Marshall, as well as their fundamental concern for the health and safety of the remaining eligible student-athletes to compete in a safe and viable manner,” the statement said, “the nature and timing of this decision was detrimental to the Sun Belt Conference and its membership, to Army, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, the American Athletic Conference and ESPN.”

The Independence Bowl went on with Louisiana Tech replacing Marshall based on the NCAA’s APR score. Army knocked off the Bulldogs 27-6 to complete a 12-2 season.

Marshall ended its season with a 10-3 record.

–Field Level Media

A large topiary ÒAÓ shines in the afternoon sun during the AppState Mountaineers' football practice at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024.

Appalachian State plays first home game since Hurricane Helene

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Appalachian State will make a return to its home field on Saturday, hosting Georgia State in the first game on campus since Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina last month.

The Mountaineers played two home games at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone before Helene hit on Sept. 27. Their Sun Belt conference game Saturday will be the first there in 37 days.

Their game scheduled at home against Liberty on Sept. 28 was canceled, and the Mountaineers played two road games — losses at Marshall and Louisiana — since.

Classes resumed on campus on Oct. 16, and school officials said folding football back into the community was carefully done.

“We’re working to thoughtfully, responsibly and respectfully bring university events back to Boone that are supported by students, faculty and staff, as well as a passionate base of alumni and others who love Appalachian State University and Western North Carolina,” interim chancellor Heather Norris said. “We’re committed to ensuring that the university continues to support and sustain our community in meaningful and lasting ways.

The game featuring two 2-4 (0-3 Sun Belt) teams will serve as a positive moment for the region.

“App State Football is an important part of the culture and economy of our university community, the High Country, and the western North Carolina region,” athletic director Doug Gillin said. “We are thankful to university, town and county leadership, and are committed to provide a safe and responsible return to home competition. We hope this event will further rally our community and help support all those who are recovering.”

After Saturday, Appalachian State will have two remaining home games against Old Dominion (Nov. 2) and James Madison (Nov. 23).

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; West Point, New York, USA; Troy Trojans running back Kimani Vidal (28) runs with the ball against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Troy tramples Appalachian St. behind Kimani Vidal’s 5 TDs

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Kimani Vidal scored five touchdowns and Troy pulled away with a pair of scores in a 6-second span of the fourth quarter to win the Sun Belt Championship Game, defeating visiting Appalachian State 49-23 on Saturday at Troy, Ala.

Vidal rushed for 233 yards on 26 carries.

The Trojans (11-2), who scored four fourth-quarter touchdowns, racked up their 10th win in a row. Troy has won eight Sun Belt Conference titles.

Vidal scored on TD runs of 6 and 49 yards in the final 4 1/2 minutes. Troy quarterback Gunnar Watson was 16-for-24 for 192 yards and a touchdown.

Kanye Roberts scored on two touchdown runs for Appalachian State (8-5), which had a five-game winning streak snapped. Joey Aguilar completed 28 of 39 passes for 275 yards.

Troy led 21-17 entering the fourth quarter, but Appalachian State had the ball.

Following a punt, the Trojans went 81 yards in 10 plays with Vidal carrying the ball on the final six snaps. He scored on a 2-yard run.

Appalachian State fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Don Callis returned it 10 yards for a touchdown. Suddenly, it was 35-17.

The Mountaineers scored when Eli Wilson recovered Aguilar’s fumble in the end zone with 5:34 remaining, but they failed on a two-point conversion, cutting the lead to 35-23.

Earlier in the second half, Troy took the lead on a four-play, 75-yard drive midway through the third quarter. Watson threw 51 yards to Chris Lewis for the touchdown.

Appalachian State failed to move after recovering a fumble by Troy punt returner Jabre Barber. The Mountaineers settled for Michael Hughes’ 41-yard field goal, pulling within 21-17.

Troy led 14-0 after Vidal’s touchdown runs of 7 and 36 yards within a 2 1/2 -minute span in the second quarter.

Appalachian State responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive with Roberts scoring on a 1-yard run with 39 seconds left in the first half.

Then it was tied as the Mountaineers used 11 plays on the opening possession of the second half, marching 82 yards with Roberts scoring on a 6-yard run.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; West Point, New York, USA; Troy Trojans quarterback Gunnar Watson (18) looks to pass against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Peaking Troy, Appalachian State collide for Sun Belt championship

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Sun Belt Conference
Appalachian State at Troy
Saturday, 4 p.m.
ESPN
Veterans Memorial Stadium
Troy, Alabama

Five consecutive wins sparked by a defensive scheme change helped Appalachian State get off the ropes and reach the Sun Belt Conference title game, but the obstacles in the Mountaineers’ path are significant.

They’ll need to take down defending conference champions Troy (10-2), which has the luxury of home-field advantage and a fancy winning streak of its own.

The Trojans haven’t lost since James Madison nipped Troy, 16-14, on Sept. 16. Nine consecutive wins include seven with a margin of at least 18 points.

Appalachian State coach Shawn Clark studied Troy’s scheme and raved about a group currently ranked 12th in the nation in total defense with 20 sacks in the past three games.

“There aren’t any holes in it,” Clark said of the Trojans. “They are not going to get beat, they’re not going to beat themselves.”

Star quarterbacks at the center of their team’s success are in for stern tests.

Appalachian State’s engine on offense, junior Joey Aguilar, has 33 touchdown passes – 10 to junior wide receiver Kaedin Robinson.

Troy senior Gunnar Watson has 26 touchdown passes and a powerful ground game carried by running back Kimani Vidal’s 1,349 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

The last meeting between these teams in September 2022 was decided on a last-second Hail Mary tipped into the hands of Mountaineers wide receiver Christan Horn, who made the grab to deal Troy a stunning 32-28 loss. Horn has 10 TD catches the past two seasons.

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2020; Huntington, West Virginia, USA; UAB Blazers players celebrate after defeating the Marshall Thundering Herd for the Conference USA Championship at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Sun Belt-bound schools reach deal with C-USA

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Marshall, Old Dominion and Southern Miss have reached a separation agreement with Conference USA to depart for the Sun Belt this year, ESPN reported Tuesday.

The reported deal comes more than a month after C-USA threatened legal action against the schools for failing to give 14 months’ notice before leaving the conference, per league bylaws. The conference filed for arbitration, with the three schools filing for temporary injunctions against arbitration.

The three schools are on the Sun Belt football schedule for 2022. Meanwhile, C-USA will play with 11 members in 2022 and is expected to release a new schedule soon; the three schools were on C-USA’s schedule for 2022, as well.

C-USA’s football schedule had included 14 schools split into divisions of seven. The East Division is losing Marshall and Old Dominion, and the West is losing Southern Miss.

Six other current C-USA institutions — Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB and UTSA — will eventually join the American Athletic Conference, but have not expressed intention to make the move in 2022.

Liberty, New Mexico State, Jacksonville State and Sam Houston will eventually join C-USA.

–Field Level Media

Oct 9, 2021; Huntington, West Virginia, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd running back Sheldon Evans (5) runs the ball and shakes a tackle from Old Dominion Monarchs safety R'Tarriun Johnson (21) during the second quarter at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

C-USA threatens legal action to keep 3 members from leaving early

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Conference USA released its 2022 football schedule on Monday, a matrix that included Southern Miss, Marshall and Old Dominion even though the three institutions announced Friday their intention of leaving the conference this summer.

The trio reached an agreement to join the Sun Belt Conference before July 1, 2023. They issued nearly identical statements Friday claiming that C-USA had shown an “unwillingness” to negotiate an earlier exit.

The conference fired back Monday.

“Conference USA intends to conduct the 2022-23 athletic year with the full 14 institution membership intact,” the conference said in a statement. “The C-USA Board of Directors will exhaust all necessary legal actions to ensure all members meet their contractual obligations as defined by and agreed to in the Conference USA Bylaws.”

Marshall interim athletic director Jeff O’Malley tweeted Monday that his department stood by its previous statement despite C-USA including the Thundering Herd on its football schedule.

C-USA’s football schedule includes 14 schools split into divisions of seven. It would be down to 11 teams should the trio depart early, with the West Division losing Marshall and Old Dominion and the East losing Southern Miss.

Six other current member institutions — Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB and UTSA — will eventually join the American Athletic Conference, but have not expressed intention to make the move in 2022. Liberty, New Mexico State, Jacksonville State and Sam Houston will eventually join C-USA.

Sports Illustrated reported that the Sun Belt also had crafted its yet-to-be-released 2022 football schedule with Southern Miss, Marshall and Old Dominion included.

–Field Level Media

Oct 9, 2021; Huntington, West Virginia, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd defensive back Micah Abraham (6) breaks up a pass intended for Old Dominion Monarchs quarterback Stone Smartt (4) during the third quarter at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Southern Miss, Marshall, ODU to leave C-USA in June

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Southern Miss, Marshall and Old Dominion confirmed Friday they are leaving Conference USA at the conclusion of this academic year.

The schools issued nearly identical statements, alluding to a stalemate with C-USA over an exit plan. The three said their conference membership will end effective June 30.

Each school had an agreement to join the Sun Belt Conference before July 1, 2023. Their announcements did not indicate whether their membership will begin with the 2022-23 academic year.

“The University first advised Conference USA in early December 2021 of the University’s plans to terminate its membership in June 2022. Since then, the University has clearly and consistently repeated its intentions to the conference,” read the statement from Southern Miss. “The University has from the outset expressed its desire to work with Conference USA to achieve an amicable separation, including offering to cooperate to ensure that all remaining conference members had complete competitive schedules for those sports in which the University competes. Conference USA has so far refused to discuss any such arrangement with the University.

“The Conference’s unwillingness to discuss the concept of separation this year creates confusion and doubt for all concerned. The remaining members of Conference USA deserve certainty about their schedules as they plan for competition next year. For their sake, the University makes public its intent.”

The Sun Belt will have 16 member schools with the three additions. James Madison also is entering the league, which also will consist of Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Little Rock, Louisiana, UL-Monroe, South Alabama, UTSA, Texas State and Troy.

Conference USA remains in flux. Also departing are Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB and UTSA, which are heading to the American Athletic Conference. Liberty, New Mexico State, Jacksonville State and Sam Houston are set to join.

–Field Level Media

Delaware receiver Thyrick Pitts (1) pulls in a pass between James Madison's MJ Hampton (32) and Taurus Carroll in the second quarter at Delaware Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Ud V Jmu

James Madison moving to Sun Belt Conference

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James Madison will join the Sun Belt Conference, moving its successful football program to the FBS level, the school announced Saturday.

The university, which won the FCS national championship in 2016 and appeared in two subsequent title games, will join the Sun Belt before July 1, 2023.

Currently a member of the Colonial Athletic Conference, James Madison will compete in 18 sports in the Sun Belt. The women’s lacrosse team won the national championship in 2018.

James Madison, in Harrisonburg, Va., is joining Southern Miss, Old Dominion and Marshall as new members of the Sun Belt, which now will have 16 members.

“We are thrilled to welcome James Madison University to the Sun Belt Conference,” said Keith Gill, Sun Belt commissioner. “This move brings another strong brand and passionate fanbase into the Sun Belt and elevates the Dukes’ storied football program to the highest level of NCAA competition.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 9, 2021; Huntington, West Virginia, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd wide receiver Shadeed Ahmed (0) celebrates with fans after catching a touchdown pass during the first overtime against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Marshall indicates it is leaving Conference USA for Sun Belt

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Marshall is the latest school to commit to joining the Sun Belt Conference.

The athletic department released a video on its Twitter account on Friday indicating it was joining the league.

“Let’s have some fun! #RiseAsOne|@SunBelt,” the text above the video said.

Marshall will become the ninth school to depart Conference USA in the latest round of league shuffling.

The addition of Marshall will give the Sun Belt 15 full members, including 13 for football.

Earlier this week, the Sun Belt formally announced the additions of Southern Miss and Old Dominion. Both those schools will depart C-USA and join the Sun Belt no later than July 1, 2023

The Sun Belt also has held discussions with FCS power James Madison, a member of the Colonial Athletic Association.

Six other C-USA schools — Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB and UTSA — are leaving to join the American Athletic Conference in 2023 at the earliest.

The defections leave C-USA with five members: Florida International, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, UTEP and Western Kentucky.

C-USA commissioner Judy MacLeod said last week that the league is seeking new members with some possibly coming from the FCS level.

–Field Level Media