Sun Belt Conference
Scottie Rodgers
BOONE, N.C. – In a game that featured seven field goals, Appalachian State pulled out a 30-19 victory over Louisiana to win the inaugural Sun Belt Conference Football Championship Game at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
Appalachian sophomore running back Darrynton Evans surpassed 1,000 rushing yards on the season during a belt-hoisting, Most Valuable Player-winning performance – 218 all-purpose yards that included 111 rushing yards and a 97-yard kickoff return. Sophomore quarterback Zac Thomas scored twice on rushing touchdowns of at least 25 yards.
The Mountaineers (10-2, 7-1 Sun Belt) allowed just one touchdown while forcing Louisiana (7-6, 5-3 Sun Belt) to kick four field goals. All three second-half field goals by Appalachian State sophomore placekicker Chandler Staton exceeded 40 yards, including a 43-yarder that pushed the lead to 11 points with 2:09 remaining. The Mountaineers could begin celebrating when junior defensive back Clifton Duck broke up a fourth-down pass with 1:23 remaining in the game.
Louisiana senior quarterback Andre Nunez accounted for the Ragin’ Cajuns lone touchdown, an eight-yard scamper in the third quarter. Nunez had 85 yards passing and 18 yards rushing. Sophomore running back Trey Ragas ran for 101 yards on 16 carries.
UP NEXT: Cajuns head to the Care Bowl in Orlando on December 15.
