Sun Belt conference to split into 2 divisions
The new format for the 2018 season was announced Tuesday at the Sun Belt's annual spring meeting and will break up the 10 teams into East and West Divisions.
2017 ScheduleAll times ET
2017 Schedule
8-5, 1st in Sun Belt
Sun Belt rules the Group of 5
Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Troy and Idaho all earned victories to give the Sun Belt a 4-2 bowl record, the best among Group of 5 conferences.
It wasn't pretty, but Arkansas State goes from 0-4 to a bowl win over UCF
Kendall Sanders scored three touchdowns as Arkansas State, winners of eight of its final nine games, proved victorious in the AutoNation Cure Bowl.
Andrea Adelson ESPN Staff Writer
Who would have predicted Arkansas State would be bowl champs after starting the season 0-4, including a loss to FCS Central Arkansas? The Red Wolves capped quite the turnaround with a 31-13 win over UCF in the AutoNation Cure Bowl, ending the season with wins in eight of their last nine games. It was ugly -- the teams combined for 26 penalties and 41 rushing yards (fewest in a bowl game in FBS history). But Arkansas State will take that.
Arkansas State routs UCF 31-13 in Cure Bowl
Justice Hansen threw three touchdown passes to Kendall Sanders to help Arkansas State beat UCF 31-13 on Saturday night in the AutoNation Cure Bowl.
Arkansas State's Sanders scores 75-yard TD (0:30)
Andrea Adelson ESPN Staff Writer
Anybody looking for offense should probably turn away from the AutoNation Cure Bowl between UCF and Arkansas State. The teams have combined for a total of 12 first downs and 259 total yards (including just 25 yards rushing). The difference has been special teams, which led to two scores for Arkansas State and a 17-10 first half lead.
Andrea Adelson ESPN Staff Writer
Arkansas State is off to a 17-0 lead on UCF in the Cure Bowl after blocking a punt for a score and converting a fumble into another touchdown. It's defense has been stifling, too, holding the Knights to 48 total yards in the first quarter. What's more, UCF has hurt itself with penalties, too -- seven to start the game.
Key betting numbers for Dec. 17-22 bowls
On your phone and need some quick betting advice on a bowl game? Fear not, we've got graphical representations of the biggest key betting numbers for Dec. 17-22 bowls.
QBs will face pressure in the AutoNation Cure Bowl
UCF's Shaquem Griffin and Arkansas State's Chris Odom and Ja'Von Rolland-Jones all rank in the top 10 in the nation in sacks this season.
SVP's Week 16 CFB 'Winners' (2:15)
Teams on the rise face off in Orlando
UCF and Arkansas State match up in the AutoNation Cure Bowl. UCF finished 6-6 after a winless season a year ago, while Arkansas State finished 7-1 after an 0-4 start. Bowl watchability rankings
Rittenberg predicts UCF to win Cure Bowl
UCF has turned around its season from 0-12 to a bowl game under Scott Frost. Adam Rittenberg predicts the Knights to continue the upward climb against Arkansas State in the Cure Bowl. Bowl Predictions
Cure Bowl: UCF Knights vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves
UCF qualified for a bowl one season after going 0-12, while Arkansas State earned bowl eligibility despite losing its first four games this season.
Hansen's 2 TDs carry Arkansas State past Texas State, 36-14
Justice Hansen threw a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes and Warren Wand rushed for 135 yards and a score as Arkansas State pulled away from Texas State in the fourth quarter of its Sun Bel
Jennings, Louisiana-Lafayette end Arkansas State's streak
Anthony Jennings passed for two touchdowns, Taboris Lee had a pick-6 and Louisiana-Lafayette snapped Arkansas State's 15-game conference win streak 24-19 on Saturday.
Riles' 34-yard TD pads UL Lafayette's lead (0:41)
What is Arkansas State's destiny?
There is only one potential landing spot when it comes to bowl games for the Red Wolves, according to ESPN's Mark Schlabach and Brett McMurphy. Bowl projections
Adam Rittenberg ESPN Staff Writer
Two Group of 5 coaches who have really turned things around: Miami (Ohio) coach Chuck Martin (0-6 to 5-6) and Arkansas State's Blake Anderson (0-4 to 6-4 and on top of the Sun Belt standings). Very impressive.
Humes, Hansen lead Arkansas State past Troy, 35-3
Chris Humes caught a 31-yard pass on a fake punt and recovered a fumble in the end zone to help Arkansas State upset Troy 35-3 on Thursday night.
Arkansas State's White runs 24 yards for score (0:35)
Watch: Arkansas State at Troy
ESPN's FPI gives Troy an 80.1 percent chance to improve to 9-1 this season. The Trojans' only loss was at Clemson by six points. Live on ESPNU/WatchESPN
2017 Recruits
| NAME | POS | STATUS | GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dwayne Fisher | OT | Signed | 77 |
| Michael Johnson | S | Signed | 77 |
| Darreon Jackson | S | Signed | 72 |
| Larry Wooden | RB | Signed | 44 |
| Hunter Moreton | DT | Signed | 43 |
2016 Sun Belt Standings
| TEAM | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Appalachian State | 7-1 | 10-3 |
| Arkansas State | 7-1 | 8-5 |
| Troy | 6-2 | 10-3 |
| Idaho | 6-2 | 9-4 |
| Louisiana | 5-3 | 6-7 |
| Georgia Southern | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Louisiana Monroe | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| South Alabama | 2-6 | 6-7 |
| Georgia State | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| New Mexico State | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Texas State | 0-8 | 2-10 |