Sun Belt Conference Sees Mixed Results in Week 2

New Orleans, LA (BuzzReport) — The Sun Belt Conference experienced a turbulent Week 2, with only a handful of bright spots amid a slate of tough matchups against Power Five opponents and regional rivals. While some programs celebrated historic victories and strong starts to the season, others struggled to keep pace against nationally ranked foes. 

Appalachian State Returns to Form

Appalachian State opened the Dowell Loggains era with a statement win, improving to 2-0 for the first time since 2019 — their last Sun Belt championship season. The Mountaineers edged Lindenwood, 20-13, in front of a packed Kidd Brewer Stadium crowd of 34,921. 

Quarterback AJ Swann showcased his poise, completing 19-of-34 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target, Dalton Stroman, had a career-best performance with 141 receiving yards and a score. On the ground, Rashod Dubinion powered through for his second straight 100-yard rushing game, racking up 194 yards on 25 carries. 

The App State defense was nearly unstoppable, producing eight sacks — the most in program history since joining the FBS — alongside 16 tackles for loss and two interceptions. Lindenwood’s offense was restricted to just 216 total yards, underscoring the Mountaineers’ defensive dominance. 

Texas State Earns Historic Win Over UTSA

Texas State continued its rise with a thrilling 43-36 victory over in-state rival UTSA at the Alamodome. The Bobcats not only earned their first-ever road win over the Roadrunners but also secured back-to-back I-35 Showdown victories for the first time in series history. 

Redshirt freshman quarterback Brad Jackson delivered in the clutch, throwing for 286 yards and a touchdown while adding two rushing scores. His late-game strike — a 65-yard touchdown pass to Beau Sparks — proved to be the difference-maker. Sparks, already coming off a four-score performance in Week 1, exploded again with 155 yards on just five catches. 

Southern Miss Ushers in the Charles Huff Era

The Golden Eagles celebrated their first win under head coach Charles Huff with a 38-20 triumph over Jackson State. Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Braylon Braxton lived up to expectations, throwing for 214 yards and three touchdowns. 

Southern Miss made its mark early when Zach Ruffin returned a blocked punt 30 yards for a touchdown in the opening minutes. The defense followed suit with two interceptions, sealing the win in front of the home crowd in Hattiesburg. 

Old Dominion and Louisiana Impress

Old Dominion’s offense exploded in a 54-6 rout of North Carolina Central. Quarterback Colton Joseph was nearly perfect, completing 19-of-24 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Trequan Jones stole the spotlight, rushing for 163 yards and three scores, highlighted by a program-record 93-yard touchdown run. 

Louisiana also leaned on its running game in a 34-10 win over McNeese. Bill Davis and Zylan Perry combined for 232 rushing yards and two scores, while freshman quarterback Daniel Beale spread the ball to 11 different receivers in his first collegiate start. 

Coastal Carolina Posts Rare Shutout

Defense carried the day for Coastal Carolina, which blanked Charleston Southern 13-0 in its first shutout since 2020. Freshman running back Dominic Knicely paced the offense with 92 yards, and quarterback Tad Hudson provided the lone touchdown on a keeper. Zeke Campbell led the defensive unit with 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss as the Chanticleers suffocated their in-state rival. 

Tough Fights, Heartbreaking Losses

Several Sun Belt teams found themselves on the wrong end of hard-fought battles. 

• Troy vs. Clemson: Troy stunned No. 8 Clemson by jumping out to a 16-0 lead, but the Tigers roared back in the second half to win 27-16. Despite the loss, the Trojans held Clemson to just 316 yards — their fewest against a non-Power Five opponent in 14 years. 
• James Madison vs. Louisville: The Dukes hung tough for three quarters before Louisville pulled away in a 28-14 defeat. Matthew Sluka ran for 83 yards and a touchdown, while Alonza Barnett III added another score through the air. 
• South Alabama vs. Tulane: The Jaguars nearly stunned Tulane but fell short on a failed two-point conversion in the final minute of a 33-31 loss. Wideout Devin Voisin shined with 152 receiving yards and two touchdowns. 
• Marshall vs. Missouri State: The Thundering Herd fell 21-20 on a late touchdown despite Zion Turner’s dual-threat effort and a career-best performance from linebacker Kerion Martin, who tallied 13 tackles and a sack.

Rough Outings for Several Programs

Not all results were encouraging. Georgia State went scoreless in the second half of a 38-16 loss to Memphis, while Georgia Southern and ULM endured blowouts at the hands of USC (59-20) and Alabama (73-0), respectively. Arkansas State also struggled, dropping a 56-14 decision to Arkansas despite a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown from Chauncy Cobb. 

Week 2 Results Recap

• Louisville def. James Madison, 28-14 
• App State def. Lindenwood, 20-13 
• Texas State def. UTSA, 43-36 
• No. 8 Clemson def. Troy, 27-16 
• Arkansas def. Arkansas State, 56-14 
• Southern Miss def. Jackson State, 38-20 
• Missouri State def. Marshall, 21-20 
• Old Dominion def. North Carolina Central, 54-6 
• Tulane def. South Alabama, 33-31 
• Memphis def. Georgia State, 38-16 
• Coastal Carolina def. Charleston Southern, 13-0 
• USC def. Georgia Southern, 59-20 
• No. 21 Alabama def. ULM, 73-0 
• Louisiana def. McNeese, 34-10

Looking Ahead

Though Week 2 brought mixed fortunes, the Sun Belt remains a conference known for resilience. Appalachian State and Texas State’s undefeated starts, combined with promising showings from Southern Miss, Louisiana, and Old Dominion, highlight the league’s potential. As non-conference play rolls on, the focus will shift toward building momentum before the grind of the Sun Belt schedule begins