2020 Sun Belt Conference football season

Sports season
2020 Sun Belt Conference football season
LeagueNCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision
SportFootball
DurationSeptember 3, 2020 – December 26, 2020
Number of teams10
2021 NFL Draft
Top draft pickCB Shemar Jean-Charles, Appalachian State
Picked byGreen Bay Packers, 178th overall
Regular season
Season championsCoastal Carolina & Louisiana
Season MVPQB Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina
East championsCoastal Carolina
West championsLouisiana
Championship Game cancelled
Seasons
2020 Sun Belt Conference football standings
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No. 14 Coastal Carolina xy+   8 – 0     11 – 1  
Appalachian State   6 – 2     9 – 3  
Georgia Southern   4 – 4     8 – 5  
Georgia State   4 – 4     6 – 4  
Troy   3 – 4     5 – 6  
West Division
No. 15 Louisiana xy+   7 – 1     10 – 1  
South Alabama   3 – 5     4 – 7  
Arkansas State   2 – 6     4 – 7  
Texas State   2 – 6     2 – 10  
Louisiana–Monroe   0 – 7     0 – 10  
Championship: Louisiana at Coastal Carolina (Canceled)
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2020 Sun Belt Conference football season was the 20th season of college football play for the Sun Belt Conference. The season began September 3, 2020 and concluded December 26, 2020 as part of the 2020–21 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Sun Belt consists of 10 members in two divisions. The conference released its schedule on February 28, 2020,[1] but numerous changes were made due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previous season

The 2019 season began with Appalachian State and Louisiana topping the preseason media polls for the East and West Divisions, respectively.[2] The season started well for the conference, as week one was headlined by conference member Georgia State upsetting Tennessee of the SEC.[3] The first conference game took place during week four between Georgia State and Texas State, and saw the Bobcats pull out a three-point win in triple overtime.[4] The regular season concluded on week fourteen, with Appalachian State (11–1, 7–1) topping the East Division and Louisiana (10–2, 7–1) topping the West, as predicted. The two teams met in the 2019 Sun Belt Conference Football Championship Game, which was hosted by Appalachian State at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina. The hosts prevailed, 45–38.[5]

Sun Belt teams went 3–2 in bowl games, with wins coming from Arkansas State,[6] Appalachian State,[7] and Louisiana.[8]

Preseason

The conference released its preseason media poll and all-conference teams on August 25, 2020.[9]

Preseason media poll

East Division
  • 1. Appalachian State (9) – 49 pts
  • 2. Georgia Southern – 36 pts
  • 3. Troy (1) – 32 pts
  • 4. Georgia State – 20 pts
  • 5. Coastal Carolina – 13 pts
 West Division
  • 1. Louisiana (7) – 47 pts
  • 2. Arkansas State (2) – 40 pts
  • 3. South Alabama (1) – 22 pts
  • 4. Texas State – 21 pts
  • 5. Louisiana–Monroe – 20 pts

All-conference preseason teams

Preseason All-Sun Belt

  • Offensive Player of the Year: Zac Thomas (Senior, Appalachian State quarterback)
  • Defensive Player of the Year: Carlton Martial (Junior, Troy linebacker)
Position Player Team
First Team Offense
QB Zac Thomas Appalachian State
RB Elijah Mitchell Louisiana
RB Josh Johnson Louisiana–Monroe
OL Noah Hannon Appalachian State
OL Baer Hunter Appalachian State
OL Cooper Hodges Appalachian State
OL Jarrett Horst Arkansas State
OL Shamarious Gilmore Georgia State
TE Josh Pederson Louisiana–Monroe
WR Cory Sutton Appalachian State
WR Jonathan Adams Arkansas State
WR Kaylon Geiger Troy
First Team Defense
DL Demetrius Taylor Appalachian State
DL Tarron Jackson Coastal Carolina
DL Raymond Johnson Georgia Southern
DL Will Choloh Troy
LB Rashad Byrd Georgia Southern
LB Joe Dillon Louisiana
LB Carlton Martial Troy
DB Shaun Jolly Appalachian State
DB Kenderick Duncan Jr. Georgia Southern
DB Corey Straughter Louisiana–Monroe
DB Dell Pettus Troy
First Team Special Teams
K Blake Grupe Arkansas State
P Rhys Burns Louisiana
RS Wesley Kennedy III Georgia Southern
Position Player Team
Second Team Offense
QB Levi Lewis Louisiana
RB Trey Ragas Louisiana
RB C. J. Marable Coastal Carolina
OL Ryan Neuzil Appalachian State
OL Jacob Still Arkansas State
OL Max Mitchell Louisiana
OL O'Cyrus Torrence Louisiana
OL TJ Fiailoa Louisiana–Monroe
TE Isaiah Likely Coastal Carolina
WR Thomas Hennigan Appalachian State
WR Cornelius McCoy Georgia State
WR Reggie Todd Troy
Second Team Defense
DL Forrest Merrill Arkansas State
DL C. J. Brewer Coastal Carolina
DL Dontae Wilson Georgia State
DL Zi'Yon Hill Louisiana
LB Teddy Gallagher Coastal Carolina
LB Trajan Stephens-McQueen Georgia State
LB Riley Cole South Alabama
DB Shemar Jean-Charles Appalachian State
DB Antonio Fletcher Arkansas State
DB Quavian White Georgia State
DB Eric Garror Louisiana
Second Team Special Teams
K Massimo Biscardi Coastal Carolina
P Anthony Beck II Georgia Southern
RS Eric Garror Louisiana

Head coaches

Appalachian State was the only team to undergo a coaching change from last season; Eliah Drinkwitz departed the program after the conclusion of the regular season to become the head coach at Missouri.[10] Shawn Clark was named interim coach upon his departure, and the interim tag was removed in time for him to coach the Mountaineers to a victory in the 2019 New Orleans Bowl.[11]

Team Head coach Years at school Overall record Record at school Sun Belt record
Appalachian State Shawn Clark 1 0–1 0–1 0–0
Arkansas State Blake Anderson 7 51–34 51–34 40–12
Coastal Carolina Jamey Chadwell 2 71–55 11–18 4–15
Georgia Southern Chad Lunsford 4 24–16 24–16 21–11
Georgia State Shawn Elliott 4 23–29 22–23 13–15
Louisiana Billy Napier 3 23–12 23–12 14–5
Louisiana–Monroe Matt Viator 5 100–66 22–33 17–18
South Alabama Steve Campbell 3 66–49 6–26 4–20
Texas State Jake Spavital 2 5–14 5–14 3–9
Troy Chip Lindsey 2 8–11 8–11 4–7

Rankings

  Pre Wk
2		 Wk
3		 Wk
4		 Wk
5		 Wk
6		 Wk
7		 Wk
8		 Wk
9		 Wk
10		 Wk
11		 Wk
12		 Wk
13		 Wk
14		 Wk
15		 Wk
16		 Final
Appalachian State AP RV т23 RV RV RV RV RV RV RV
C RV 23 RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV
CFP Not released
Arkansas State AP RV RV RV
C RV RV RV
CFP Not released
Coastal Carolina AP RV RV RV 25 20 15 15 15 16 14 11 9 9 14
C RV RV RV RV RV 25 21 16 17 18 17 14 13 12 11 14
CFP Not released 20 18 13 12 12
Georgia Southern AP
C
CFP Not released
Georgia State AP
C
CFP Not released
Louisiana AP 19 19 RV 23 21 RV RV RV 25 24 23 20 17 17 16 15
C RV 21 25 RV 23 21 RV RV RV RV 25 24 21 17 18 17 16
CFP Not released 25 19 19 19
Louisiana–Monroe AP
C
CFP Not released
South Alabama AP
C
CFP Not released
Texas State AP
C
CFP Not released
Troy AP
C
CFP Not released
Legend
    Improvement in ranking
  Drop in ranking
  Not ranked previous week
  No change in ranking from previous week
RV Received votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll
т Tied with team above or below also with this symbol

Schedule

Regular season

Index to colors and formatting
Sun Belt Member won
Sun Belt Member lost
Sun Belt teams in bold

Week One

Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance
September 3 8:00 p.m. South Alabama Southern Miss M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS CBSSN W 32–21    
September 5 3:30 p.m. SMU Texas State Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX ESPN L 24–31   7,500
September 5 7:00 p.m. Arkansas State Memphis Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TN ESPN L 24–37   4,537
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Week Two

Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance
September 12 11:00 a.m. Louisiana No. 23 Iowa State Jack Trice Stadium • Ames, IA ESPN W 31–14    
September 12 11:00 a.m. Arkansas State Kansas State Bill Snyder Family Stadium • Manhattan, KS Fox W 35–31    
September 12 11:00 a.m. Charlotte Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC ESPN2 W 35–20    
September 12 12:30 p.m. Louisiana–Monroe Army Michie Stadium • West Point, NY CBSSN L 7–37    
September 12 2:30 p.m. UTSA Texas State Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX ESPN2 L 48–51 2OT    
September 12 2:30 p.m. Campbell Georgia Southern Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA ESPNU W 27-26    
September 12 6:30 p.m. Tulane South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL ESPN2 L 24–27    
September 12 9:00 p.m. Coastal Carolina Kansas David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium • Lawrence, KS FS1 W 38–23    
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Week Three

Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance
September 18 6:00 p.m. Campbell Coastal Carolina Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC ESPN3 W 43–21   5,000
September 19 11:00 a.m. No. 19 Louisiana Georgia State Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA ESPN2  ULL 34–31 OT  4,126
September 19 12:30 p.m. No. 23 Appalachian State Marshall Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV CBSSN L 7–17   12,050
September 19 3:00 p.m. Florida Atlantic Georgia Southern Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA ESPN2  postponed    
September 19 3:00 p.m. Troy Middle Tennessee Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN ESPNU W 47–14   6,000
September 19 6:00 p.m. Central Arkansas Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR ESPN+  postponed    
September 19 6:30 p.m. Texas State Louisiana–Monroe Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA ESPNU  TXST 38–17   5,816
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Week Four

Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance
September 24 6:30 p.m. UAB South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL ESPN L 10–42   5,766
September 26 11:00 a.m. Georgia Southern No. 19 Louisiana Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA ESPN2  ULL 20–18   5,585
September 26 11:00 a.m. Campbell Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC ESPN+ W 52–21   0
September 26 11:00 a.m. Georgia State Charlotte Jerry Richardson Stadium • Charlotte, NC  postponed  
September 26 2:30 p.m. Tulsa Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR  postponed  
September 26 5:00 p.m. Texas State Boston College Alumni Stadium • Chestnut Hill, MA ESPN3 L 21–24   0
September 26 2:30 p.m. UTEP Louisiana–Monroe Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA ESPN2 L 6–31   5,491
September 26 9:15 p.m. Troy No. 18 BYU LaVell Edwards Stadium • Provo, UT ESPN L 7–48   0
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Week Five

Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance
October 3 11:00 a.m. East Carolina Georgia State Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA ESPNU W 49–29   3,823
October 3 11:00 a.m. Arkansas State Costal Carolina Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC ESPN2  CCU 52–23   5,000
October 3 6:00 p.m. Georgia Southern Louisiana–Monroe Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA ESPN+  GASO 35–30   6,338
October 3 7:00 p.m. Troy South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL  postponed  
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Week Six

Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance
October 10 11:00 a.m. Louisiana–Monroe Liberty Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA ESPN2 L 7–40   1,000
October 10 2:30 p.m. Texas State Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL ESPN3  TROY 37–17   10,500
October 10 2:30 p.m. Central Arkansas Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR ESPN3 W 50–27   4,561
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Week Seven

Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance
October 14 6:30 p.m. Costal Carolina No. 21 Louisiana Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA ESPN  CCU 30–27   5,585
October 15 6:30 p.m. Georgia State Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR ESPN  ARKST 59–52   5,496
October 17 11:00 a.m. Texas State South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL ESPNU  SOAL 30–20   5,142
October 17 2:30 p.m. Eastern Kentucky Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL ESPN3 W 31–29   10,500
October 17 3:00 p.m. UMass Georgia Southern Allen E. Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA ESPN2 W 41–0   4,856
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Week Eight

Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance
October 22 6:30 p.m. Arkansas State Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC ESPN  APPST 45–17   2,100
October 23 7:00 p.m. Louisiana UAB Legion Field • Birmingham, AL CBSSN W 24–20   11,610
October 24 11:00 a.m. Georgia Southern No. 25 Coastal Carolina Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC ESPNU  CCU 28–14   5,000
October 24 3:00 p.m. Georgia State Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL ESPNU  GSU 36–34   12,000
October 24 6:00 p.m. Louisiana–Monroe South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL ESPN+  SOAL 38–14   5,186
October 24 9:15 p.m. Texas State No. 12 BYU LaVell Edwards Stadium • Provo, UT ESPN L 14–52   6,570
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Week Nine

Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance
October 29 6:30 p.m. South Alabama Georgia Southern Allen E. Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA ESPN  GASO 24–17   3,457
October 31 11:00 a.m. No. 20 Coastal Carolina Georgia State Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA ESPNU  CCU 51–0   3,642
October 31 2:00 p.m. Troy Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR ESPN3  TROY 38–10   6,757
October 31 3:00 p.m. Appalachian State Louisiana–Monroe Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA ESPNU  APPST 31–13   5,493
October 31 7:00 p.m. Louisiana Texas State Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX ESPNU  ULL 44–34   7,500
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Week Ten

Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance
November 7 11:00 a.m. Louisiana–Monroe Georgia State Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA ESPN3  GSU 52–34   2,921
November 7 11:00 a.m. Arkansas State Louisiana Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA ESPNU  ULL 27–20   5,585
November 7 12:00 p.m. Troy Georgia Southern Allen E. Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA ESPN3  GASO 20–13   5,012
November 7 2:00 p.m. Appalachian State Texas State Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX ESPN+  APPST 38–17   6,745
November 7 7:00 p.m. South Alabama No. 15 Coastal Carolina Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC ESPNU  CCU 23–6   5,000
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Week Eleven

Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance
November 14 11:00 a.m. No. 15 Coastal Carolina Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL  postponed  
November 14 1:00 p.m. South Alabama No. 25 Louisiana Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA ESPN+  ULL 38–10   5,585
November 14 1:30 p.m. Georgia State Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC ESPN+  APPST 17–13   2,100
November 14 2:00 p.m. Louisiana–Monroe Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR  postponed  
November 14 2:30 p.m. Texas State Georgia Southern Allen E. Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA ESPN3  GASO 40–38   4,478
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Week Twelve

Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance
November 21 11:00 a.m. Appalachian State No. 15 Coastal Carolina Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC ESPN  CCU 34–23   5,000
November 21 11:00 a.m. Arkansas State Texas State Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX ESPN2  TXST 47–45   5,218
November 21 11:00 a.m. Georgia Southern Army Michie Stadium • West Point, NY CBSSN L 27–28   5,181
November 21 1:00 p.m. Central Arkansas No. 24 Louisiana Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA  cancelled  
November 21 2:30 p.m. Georgia State South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL ESPNU  GSU 31–14   5,224
November 21 2:30 p.m. Middle Tennessee Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL ESPN3 L 17–20   12,000
November 21 3:00 p.m. Louisiana–Monroe Louisiana Tech Independence Stadium • Shreveport, LA  cancelled  
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Week Thirteen

Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance
November 28 11:00 a.m. Georgia Southern Georgia State Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA (Modern Day Hate) ESPN3  GSU 30–24   4,523
November 28 2:00 p.m. No. 23 Louisiana Louisiana–Monroe Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA (Battle on the Bayou) ESPN3  ULL 70–20   3,132
November 28 2:00 p.m. South Alabama Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR ESPN3  SOAL 38–31   4,013
November 28 2:00 p.m. No. 16 Coastal Carolina Texas State Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX ESPN+  CCU 49–14   3,245
November 28 2:30 p.m. Troy Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC ESPN2  APPST 47–10   2,100
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Week Fourteen

Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance
December 4 7:30 p.m. No. 20 Louisiana Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC ESPN  ULL 24–21   2,170
December 5 1:00 p.m. Troy South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL (Battle for the Belt) ESPN3  TROY 29–0   5,375
December 5 2:00 p.m. Louisiana–Monroe Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR ESPN3  ARKST 48–15   3,268
December 5 4:30 p.m. No. 8 BYU No. 14 Coastal Carolina Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC ESPNU W 22–17   5,000
December 5 5:00 p.m. Florida Atlantic Georgia Southern Allen E. Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA ESPN+ W 20–3  
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Week Fifteen

Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance
December 12 2:00 p.m. #11 Coastal Carolina Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL ESPN+  CCU 42–38   11,000
December 12 2:00 p.m. Incarnate Word Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR ESPN3  cancelled   n/a
December 12 5:00 p.m. Appalachian State Georgia Southern Allen E. Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA (rivalry) ESPN3  APPST 34–26    
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Week Sixteen

Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance
December 19 6:00 p.m. Louisiana–Monroe Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL ESPN3  cancelled   n/a
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Championship Game

Date Time Visiting team Home team Site TV Result Attendance
December 19 2:30 p.m. Louisiana Coastal Carolina Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC ESPN  cancelled   n/a
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time.

Postseason

Bowl Games

Legend
  Sun Belt win
  Sun Belt loss
Bowl game Date Site Television Time (CST) Sun Belt team Opponent Score Attendance
Myrtle Beach Bowl December 21 Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC ESPN 1:30 p.m. Appalachian State North Texas W 56–28 5,000
New Orleans Bowl December 23 Mercedes-Benz Superdome • New Orleans, LA ESPN 2:00 p.m. Georgia Southern Louisiana Tech W 38–3 3,000
First Responder Bowl December 26 Gerald J. Ford Stadium • University Park, TX ABC 2:30 p.m. No. 16 Louisiana UTSA W 31–24 3,512
LendingTree Bowl December 26 Ladd–Peebles Stadium • Mobile, AL ESPN 2:30 p.m. Georgia State Western Kentucky W 39–21 5,128
Cure Bowl December 26 Camping World Stadium • Orlando, FL ESPN 6:30 p.m. No. 9 Coastal Carolina No. 23 Liberty L 34–37 OT 4,488

Sun Belt records vs Other Conferences

2020–2021 records against non-conference foes:

Regular season

Power 5 Conferences Record
ACC 0–1
Big Ten 0–0
Big 12 3–0
BYU/Notre Dame 1–2
Pac-12 0–0
SEC 0–0
Power 5 Total 4–3
Other FBS Conferences Record
American 1–3
C-USA 5–5
Independents (Excluding BYU and Notre Dame) 1–3
MAC 0–0
Mountain West 0–0
Other FBS Total 7–11
FCS Opponents Record
Football Championship Subdivision 5-0
Total Non-Conference Record 16–14


Sun Belt vs Power Five matchups

This is a list of games the Sun Belt has scheduled versus power conference teams (ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac-12, BYU/Notre Dame and SEC). All rankings are from the current AP Poll at the time of the game.

Date Conference Visitor Home Site Score
September 12 Big 12 Louisiana No. 23 Iowa State Jack Trice Stadium • Ames, IA W, 31–14
September 12 Big 12 Arkansas State Kansas State Bill Snyder Family Stadium • Manhattan, KS W, 35–31
September 12 Big 12 Coastal Carolina Kansas David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium • Lawrence, KS W, 38–23
September 26 ACC Texas State Boston College Alumni Stadium • Chestnut Hill, MA L, 21–24
September 26 Independent Troy No. 18 BYU LaVell Edwards Stadium • Provo, UT L, 7–48
October 24 Independent Texas State No. 12 BYU LaVell Edwards Stadium • Provo, UT L, 14–52
December 5 Independent No. 8 BYU No. 14 Coastal Carolina Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC W, 22–17

Sun Belt vs Group of Five matchups

The following games include Sun Belt teams competing against teams from the American, C-USA, MAC or Mountain West.

Date Conference Visitor Home Site Score
September 3 C-USA South Alabama Southern Miss M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS W, 32–21
September 5 American SMU Texas State Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX L, 24–31
September 5 American Arkansas State Memphis Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TN L, 24–37
September 12 C-USA Charlotte Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC W, 35–20
September 12 C-USA UTSA Texas State Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX L, 48–512OT
September 12 American Tulane South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL L, 24–27
September 19 C-USA No. 23 Appalachian State Marshall Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV L, 7–17
September 19 C-USA Troy Middle Tennessee Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN W, 47–14
September 24 C-USA UAB South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL L, 10–42
September 26 C-USA UTEP Louisiana–Monroe Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA L, 6–31
October 3 American East Carolina Georgia State Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA W, 49–29
October 23 C-USA Louisiana UAB Legion Field • Birmingham, AL W, 24–20
November 21 C-USA Middle Tennessee Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL L 17–20
December 5 C-USA Florida Atlantic Georgia Southern Allen E. Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA W, 20–3

Sun Belt vs FBS independents matchups

The following games include Sun Belt teams competing against FBS Independents, which includes Army, Liberty, New Mexico State, UConn, or UMass.

Date Conference Visitor Home Site Score
September 12 Independents Louisiana–Monroe Army Michie Stadium • West Point, NY L, 7–37
October 10 Independents Louisiana–Monroe Liberty Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA L, 7–40
October 17 Independents UMass Georgia Southern Allen E. Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA W, 41–0
November 21 Independents Georgia Southern Army Michie Stadium • West Point, NY L, 27–28

Sun Belt vs FCS matchups

Date Visitor Home Site Score
September 12 Campbell Georgia Southern Allen E. Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA W, 26–27
September 18 Campbell Coastal Carolina Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC W, 43–21
September 26 Campbell Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC W, 52–21
October 10 Central Arkansas Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR W, 50–27
October 17 Eastern Kentucky Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL W, 31–29

Awards and honors

Players of the week

Week Offensive Defensive Special Teams
Player Team Position Player Team Position Player Team Position
Week 1 Jalen Tolbert South Alabama WR Nick Mobley South Alabama LB Blake Grupe Arkansas State K
Week 2 Jonathan Adams Jr. Arkansas State WR Ferrod Gardner Louisiana LB Chris Smith Louisiana KR
Week 3 Elijah Mitchell Louisiana RB Silas Kelly Coastal Carolina LB Rhys Byrns Louisiana P
Week 4 Daetrich Harrington Appalachian State RB Lorenzo McCaskill Louisiana LB Nate Snyder Louisiana K
Week 5 Grayson McCall Coastal Carolina QB Antavaious Lane Georgia State S NaJee Thompson Georgia Southern WR
Week 6 Gunnar Watson Troy QB Justin Rice Arkansas State LB Ryan Hanson Arkansas State P
Week 7 Jonathan Adams Jr. Arkansas State WR Riley Cole South Alabama LB Massimo Biscardi Coastal Carolina K
Week 8 Kawaan Baker
Zac Thomas 		South Alabama
Appalachian State 		WR
QB 		Jordan Strachan Georgia State LB Chris Smith Louisiana KR
Week 9 Grayson McCall Coastal Carolina QB Tarron Jackson Coastal Carolina DE Seth Keller Texas State K
Week 10 Cornelious Brown IV Georgia State QB Tarron Jackson Coastal Carolina DE Jack Martin Troy P
Week 11 Levi Lewis Louisiana QB D'Marco Jackson Appalachian State LB Jeremiah Haydel Texas State KR
Week 12 Brady McBride Texas State QB C. J. Brewer Coastal Carolina DT Chandler Staton Appalachian State K
Week 13 Jalen Tolbert South Alabama WR Tarron Jackson Coastal Carolina DE Noel Ruiz Georgia State P
Week 14 Corey Rucker Arkansas State WR Jeffrey Gunter Coastal Carolina BE Khaleb Hood Georgia Southern PR
Week 15 Grayson McCall Coastal Carolina QB Carlton Martial Troy LB Jalen Virgil Appalachian State KR

Sun Belt Individual Awards

The following individuals received postseason honors as voted by the Sun Belt Conference football coaches at the end of the season

Award Player School
Player of the Year Grayson McCall Coastal Carolina
Offensive Player of the Year Jonathan Adams Arkansas State
Defensive Player of the Year Tarron Jackson Coastal Carolina
Freshman Player of the Year Grayson McCall Coastal Carolina
Newcomer of the Year D'Jordan Strong Coastal Carolina
Coach of the Year Jamey Chadwell Coastal Carolina

All-conference teams

Position Player Team
First Team Offense
WR Jonathan Adams Arkansas State
WR Jaivon Heiligh Coastal Carolina
WR Jalen Tolbert South Alabama
OL Noah Hannon Appalachian State
OL Trey Carter Coastal Carolina
OL Shamarious Gilmore Georgia State
OL Austin Stidham Troy
OL Baer Hunter Appalachian State
TE Isaiah Likely Coastal Carolina
QB Grayson McCall Coastal Carolina
RB C. J. Marable Coastal Carolina
RB Elijah Mitchell Louisiana
First Team Defense
DL Tarron Jackson Coastal Carolina
DL Demetrius Taylor Appalachian State
DL Raymond Johnson Georgia Southern
DL C. J. Brewer Coastal Carolina
DL Jeffrey Gunter Coastal Carolina
LB Carlton Martial Troy
LB Justin Rice Arkansas State
LB Riley Cole South Alabama
DB D'Jordan Strong Coastal Carolina
DB Shemar Jean-Charles Appalachian State
DB Shaun Jolly Appalachian State
DB Derrick Canteen Georgia Southern
First Team Specialists
K Noel Ruiz Georgia State
P Jack Martin Troy
AP C. J. Marable Coastal Carolina
KRS Chris Smith Louisiana
Position Player Team
Second Team Offense
WR Kawaan Baker South Alabama
WR Kaylon Geiger Troy
WR Sam Pinckney Georgia State
OL O'Cyrus Torrence Louisiana
OL Cooper Hodges Appalachian State
OL Dylan Bradshaw Troy
OL Willie Lampkin Coastal Carolina
OL Max Mitchell Louisiana
TE Josh Pederson Louisiana–Monroe
QB Levi Lewis Louisiana
RB Trey Ragas Louisiana
RB Camerun Peoples Appalachian State
Second Team Defense
DL Will Choloh Troy
DL Zi'Yon Hill Louisiana
DL Forrest Merrill Arkansas State
DL Hardrick Willis Georgia State
LB Silas Kelly Coastal Carolina
LB Rashad Byrd Georgia Southern
LB D'Marco Jackson Appalachian State
DB Bralen Trahan Louisiana
DB Quavian White Georgia State
DB Terence Dunlap Troy
DB Jarron Morris Texas State
DB Antavious Lane Georgia State
Second Team Specialists
K Massimo Biscardi Coastal Carolina
P Rhys Byrns Louisiana
AP Jeremiah Haydel Texas State
KRS Jeremiah Haydel Texas State
Position Player Team
Third Team Offense
WR Thomas Hennigan Appalachian State
WR Marcell Barbee Texas State
WR Malik Williams Appalachian State
OL Ken Marks Louisiana
OL Ryan Neuzil Appalachian State
OL Aaron Dowdell Georgia Southern
OL Sam Thompson Coastal Carolina
OL Shane Vallot Louisiana
TE Roger Carter Georgia State
QB Zac Thomas Appalachian State
RB Destin Coates Georgia State
RB Daetrich Harrington Appalachian State
Third Team Defense
DL Nico Ezidore Texas State
DL Richard Jibunor Troy
DL Dontae Wilson Georgia State
DL Jeremiah Littles South Alabama
LB Jordan Stachan Georgia State
LB Lorenzo McCaskill Louisiana
LB Teddy Gallagher Coastal Carolina
DB Keith Gallmon South Alabama
DB Eric Garror Louisiana
DB Alex Spillum Coastal Carolina
DB Kaiden Smith Appalachian State
DB Dell Pettus Troy
Third Team Specialists
K Diego Guajardo South Alabama
P Anthony Beck Georgia Southern
AP Chris Smith Louisiana
KRS Jalen Virgil Appalachian State

Ref:[12]

All-Americans

The 2020 College Football All-America Teams are composed of the following College Football All-American first teams chosen by the following selector organizations: Associated Press (AP), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Walter Camp Foundation (WCFF), The Sporting News (TSN), Sports Illustrated (SI), USA Today (USAT) ESPN, CBS Sports (CBS), FOX Sports (FOX) College Football News (CFN), Bleacher Report (BR), Scout.com, Phil Steele (PS), SB Nation (SB), Athlon Sports, Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Yahoo! Sports (Yahoo!).

Currently, the NCAA compiles consensus all-America teams in the sports of Division I-FBS football and Division I men's basketball using a point system computed from All-America teams named by coaches associations or media sources. The system consists of three points for a first-team honor, two points for second-team honor, and one point for third-team honor. Honorable mention and fourth team or lower recognitions are not accorded any points. Football consensus teams are compiled by position and the player accumulating the most points at each position is named first team consensus all-American. Currently, the NCAA recognizes All-Americans selected by the AP, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, and the WCFF to determine Consensus and Unanimous All-Americans. Any player named to the First Team by all five of the NCAA-recognized selectors is deemed a Unanimous All-American.

Position Player School Selector Unanimous Consensus
First Team All-Americans
DE Tarron Jackson Coastal Carolina AFCA, AP, Athletic, ESPN, FWAA *
RS Jeremiah Haydel Texas State ESPN
RS Chris Smith Louisiana CBS
Position Player School Selector Unanimous Consensus
Second Team All-Americans
WR Jonathan Adams Jr. Arkansas State AP, CBS, FWAA, TSN, USAT
G Ryan Neuzil Appalachian State TSN
DE Tarron Jackson Coastal Carolina CBS, TSN, USAT
LB Justin Rice Arkansas State USAT
CB Shemar Jean-Charles Appalachian State TSN
PR Jeremiah Haydel Texas State FWAA, USAT
KR Chris Smith Louisiana FWAA
Position Player School Selector Unanimous Consensus
Third Team All-Americans
DT C. J. Brewer Coastal Carolina AP

NFL Draft

The following list includes all Sun Belt Players who were drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft

Player Position School Draft
Round 		Round
Pick 		Overall
Pick 		Team
Shemar Jean-Charles CB Appalachian State 5 34 178 Green Bay Packers
Tarron Jackson DE Coastal Carolina 6 7 191 Philadelphia Eagles
Elijah Mitchell RB Louisiana 6 10 194 San Francisco 49ers
Kawaan Baker WR South Alabama 7 28 255 New Orleans Saints

References

  1. ^ "Sun Belt Announces 2020 Football Schedule". SunBeltsports.org. February 28, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  2. ^ "Mountaineers, Ragin' Cajuns Selected as Division Favorites in 2019 Sun Belt Football Coaches' Preseason Poll". sunbeltsports.org. Sun Belt Conference. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  3. ^ "Vols stunned at home as Panthers pull off massive upset". CBSSports.com. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  4. ^ "Rowland's kick lifts Texas State to 37-34 triple OT win". AP NEWS. September 22, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  5. ^ "Evans' 3 TDs lead No. 20 App State to Sun Belt title, 45-38". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  6. ^ "Hatcher, Bayless propel Arkansas State to Camellia Bowl win". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  7. ^ "No. 20 Appalachian St. top UAB 31-17 in New Orleans Bowl". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  8. ^ "Lewis, Louisiana-Lafayette beat Miami of Ohio 27-17". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  9. ^ "Sun Belt Announces Preseason Poll, Players of the Year and All-Conference Teams". sunbeltsports.org. Sun Belt Conference. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  10. ^ Albright, Silas (December 9, 2019). "Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz leaves App State, Clark named interim head coach". The Appalachian. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  11. ^ Redd, Derek. "Charleston native Shawn Clark named new Appalachian State football coach". Charleston Gazette-Mail. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  12. ^ "2020 Sun Belt Football Postseason Awards Announced". sunbeltsports.org. Sun Belt Conference. December 21, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
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2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season
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All-Americans