Sun Belt Week 7 Takeways

As the Sun Belt inches closer to the end of the season, some results come as no surprise. James Madison continues to look like the runaway best team in the conference, with consistent dominant victories occurring almost every week.

Louisiana bounced back from a crushing defeat in convincing fashion, and Appalachian State picked up a big victory after it looked like they were on their way to a third straight loss.

Here are some of the big takeaways for the Sun Belt from Week 7.

Georgia State has looked really good this season, but its game against James Madison showed the Panthers still have a way to go to reach elite status. The Dukes dominated the Panthers 49-22.

Coming into this one, the Panthers had played well on both sides of the ball, with a top-20 scoring offense and a top-40 scoring defense in the nation. However, neither side played up to that level, and that can be attributed to the Dukes’ play this season.

Offensively, the Dukes are dominating on all facets this season. The passing and running games have been clicking. Both Camden Coleman and JC Evans saw the field, combining for 17 of 27 passing for 265 yards and three touchdowns. Evans added two rushing touchdowns.

Running back George Pettaway continues his phenomenal play. He is on pace for a career season. Pettaway ran for 119 yards on 8.5 yards per carry, recording his fourth straight game of 110 or more rushing yards.

Cameran Brown has had a great season for the Panthers, but he played a subpar game against the Dukes.

One thing the Panthers really had going for them offensively was the ability to run the football effectively. They rushed for 188 yards at 5 yards per carry. That’s the second-most rushing yards the Dukes’ defense has given up.

The Dukes continue to show they are the best team in the conference. They have also continued to create separation from every team in the East Division, and it looks like they will walk away with the division again.

There is still time left in the season, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to see a team that can beat the Dukes for the Sun Belt Championship.

The Panthers still sit in a good spot in the season. While this doesn’t erase the strong start, it does knock them back slightly.

The Dukes improve to 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the Sun Belt. The Panthers fall to 4-2 and 1-1 in the Sun Belt.

An important Sun Belt West matchup played out completely differently than expected. Louisiana held strong at home and defeated Troy 33-6.

The story was how the Ragin’ Cajuns played like the physically tougher team, especially on offense. They ran the ball 49 times for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Against a Trojans defense that had been stout against the run, this was an impressive performance by the Ragin’ Cajuns.

When a team runs the ball that often and with that much success, it shows they were the bullies in that game, imposing their will.

This is how the Ragin’ Cajuns have won games all season long, by leaning on their run game and the pass game opening up off the run. Lunch Winfield didn’t need to do much throwing the ball, as he only completed 11 of 21 passes for 70 yards and one touchdown.

It didn’t matter who was carrying the ball, whether it was Winfield, JJ Garner, Anthony Reagan Jr., or Steven Blanco. All four players gained yards on the ground.

On the other side for the Trojans, they couldn’t get anything going offensively. To make matters worse, quarterback Goose Crowder injured his shoulder before halftime, and aggravated it again in the third quarter.

If Crowder were to miss time, this wouldn’t be something the Trojans haven’t dealt with in previous years. Tucker Kilcrease proved last season he is a solid backup.

This was a big bounce-back victory for the Ragin’ Cajuns after losing to Louisiana Tech last week. Blowing a 31-19 lead with four minutes left in the game is one that could potentially derail a season, but the Ragin’ Cajuns showed great mental toughness.

For the Trojans, getting blown out this way, where their strength became a major weakness, is a concern they need to address going forward. They will have an opportunity to make up some ground next week against a winless ULM team.

The Ragin’ Cajuns improve to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the Sun Belt. The Trojans fall to 3-3 and 1-1.

After going down by double digits at halftime, Appalachian State clawed their way back in the second half to defeat Coastal Carolina 35-32.

Quarterback Malachi Singleton tried to play after being listed as questionable with an ankle injury. However, after the first half, when he physically didn’t look like himself, the Mountaineers decided to go with Henry Hasselbeck.

Hasselbeck came in and helped lead the comeback with efficient, timely passing, but he added real value with his legs. He rushed for 125 yards on 21 carries. His ability to move proved to be a difference maker after Singleton was clearly hobbled.

Together, both offenses produced a ton of yardage, totaling 953 yards.

The Chanticleers had a good offensive game, running the ball effectively and mixing in some explosive plays through the air.

Deuce Bailey did throw the ball for 298 yards and three touchdowns, including a 71-yard pass to Robby Washington for a touchdown. However, he threw a costly interception in the third quarter that helped the Mountaineers mount their comeback. He also only completed 51.6% of his passes.

For the Mountaineers, this comeback doesn’t prove they are a better team without Singleton. But it does show that if Singleton can’t be himself, Hasselbeck is the better option. It should be interesting to see how Singleton’s ankle continues to heal with JMU coming to town on Thursday.

On the other side, this is a very bad loss for the Chanticleers. Up 24-14 at halftime on your home field against a team that had to turn to its backup quarterback is one they will look back on and feel they should have won for a team that has struggled this season, getting a win like that could have done more wonders for them, especially considering how they beat Marshall last week.

The Mountaineers improve to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the Sun Belt. The Chanticleers drop to 2-5 and 1-2 in the Sun Belt.