The 2011 Sun Belt Conference football season is a college football season for the Sun Belt Conference. The 2011 season consisted of nine members: Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Louisiana–Lafayette, Louisiana–Monroe, Middle Tennessee State, North Texas, Troy and Western Kentucky.
The 2011 season was last with nine members as South Alabama became the conference's tenth member for the 2012 season.
Preseason
Award watch lists
The following Sun Belt players were named to preseason award watch lists.
Sun Belt media days
During the Sun Belt media days on July 18–19 via videoconferencing, Florida International was selected as the favorite to win the conference in the coaches poll.[13] They five first place votes. Troy received two first place votes while Arkansas State and Western Kentucky each received one.
Coaches Poll
- Florida International – 75 (5)
- Troy – 66 (2)
- Middle Tennessee – 54
- Louisiana–Monroe – 22
- Arkansas State – 49 (1)
- North Texas – 33
- Western Kentucky – 28 (1)
- Louisiana–Lafayette – 26
- Florida Atlantic – 20
Preseason All–Conference Team
The conference's head coaches selected their all–conference team during media days.[14]
- Offense
- QB Corey Robinson–Troy
- RB Lance Dunbar–North Texas
- RB Bobby Rainey–Western Kentucky
- WR Dwayne Frampton–Arkansas State
- WR T.Y. Hilton–FIU
- WR Luther Ambrose–ULM
- TE Ladarius Green–ULL
- OL Tom Castilaw–Arkansas State
- OL Caylin Hauptmann–FIU
- OL Ryan McCaul–ULM
- OL Matt Tomlinson–North Texas
- OL James Brown–Troy
- OL Wes Jeffries–Western Kentucky
|
- Defense
- DL Dorvus Woods–Arkansas State
- DL Tourek Williams–FIU
- DL Ken Dorsey–ULM
- DL Jonathan Massaquoi–Troy
- LB Demario Davis–Arkansas State
- LB Winston Fraser–FIU
- LB Xavier Lamb–Troy
- DB Kelcie McCray–Arkansas State
- DB Jonathan Cyprien–FIU
- DB Marcus Bartels–FAU
- DB Darius Prelow–ULM
|
- Specialists
- PK Alan Gendreau–Middle Tennessee
- P Mickey Groody–FAU
- KR T.Y. Hilton–FIU
|
The coaches also selected conference players of the year. T.Y. Hilton of Florida International and Lance Dunbar of North Texas were selected as the preseason co-offensive players of the year and Jonathan Massaquoi of Troy was named the preseason defensive player of the year.
Coaches
NOTE: Stats shown are before the beginning of the season
Sun Belt vs. BCS matchups
Regular season
Index to colors and formatting |
Sun Belt member won |
Sun Belt member lost |
Sun Belt teams in bold |
All dates, times, and TV are tentative and subject to change.
The Sun Belt has teams in 2 different time zones. Times reflect start time in respective time zone of each team (all teams central time except for Florida Atlantic and Florida International which are in eastern time). Conference games start times are that of the home team.
Rankings reflect that of the USA Today Coaches poll for that week until week eight when the BCS poll will be used.
Week One
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
September 1 | 7:00 PM | North Texas | Florida International | FIU Stadium • Miami, FL | ESPN3 | FIU 41–16 | 17,568 |
September 1 ^ | 8:15 PM | Kentucky | Western Kentucky | LP Field • Nashville, TN | ESPNU | L 3–14 | 24,599 |
September 3 | 11:00 AM | Middle Tennessee | Purdue | Ross–Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, IN | BTN | L 24–27 | 42,110 |
September 3 | 2:30 PM | Arkansas State | Illinois | Memorial Stadium • Champaign, IL | BTN | L 15–33 | 45,154 |
September 3 | 2:30 PM | Louisiana–Monroe | #5 Florida State | Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, FL | ESPNU | L 0–34 | 72,226 |
September 3 | 2:30 PM | Troy | Clemson | Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC | ESPN3 | L 19–43 | 74,135 |
September 3 | 6:00 PM | Louisiana–Lafayette | #8 Oklahoma State | Boone Pickens Stadium • Stillwater, OK | FSN | L 34–61 | 55,382 |
September 3 | 7:00 PM | Florida Atlantic | #23 Florida | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, FL | ESPNU | L 3–41 | 88,708 |
^ Neutral site
Players of the Week[15]
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special teams |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
T.Y. Hilton |
FIU |
Eric Russell |
Middle Tennessee |
Hendrix Brakefield |
Western Kentucky |
Week Two
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
September 9 | 7:00 PM | Florida International | Louisville | Papa John's Cardinal Stadium • Louisville, KY | ESPN | W 24–17 | 47,228 |
September 10 | 12:00 PM | Florida Atlantic | #16 Michigan State | Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI | ESPN2 | L 0–44 | 70,249 |
September 10 | 6:00 PM | Memphis | Arkansas State | ASU Stadium • Jonesboro, AR | | W 47–3 | 29,872 |
September 10 | 6:00 PM | Louisiana–Lafayette | Kent State | Dix Stadium • Kent, OH | | W 20–12 | 10,386 |
September 10 | 6:00 PM | Grambling State | Louisiana–Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA | | W 35–7 | 26,532 |
September 10 | 6:00 PM | Georgia Tech | Middle Tennessee | Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN | ESPN3 | L 21–49 | 30,502 |
September 10 | 6:00 PM | Houston | North Texas | Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX | ESPN3 | L 23–48 | 28,075 |
September 10 | 6:00 PM | Navy | Western Kentucky | Houchens Industries – L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY | ESPN3 | L 14–40 | 19,409 |
Players of the Week[16]
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special teams |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
T.Y. Hilton (2) |
FIU |
Winston Fraser |
FIU |
Brelan Chancellor |
North Texas |
Week Three
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
September 17 | 1:00 PM | Louisiana–Monroe | #23 TCU | Amon G. Carter Stadium • Fort Worth, TX | The Mtn. | L 17–38 | 32,719 |
September 17 | 3:00 PM | Arkansas State | #12 Virginia Tech | Lane Stadium • Blacksburg, VA | FSN | L 7–26 | 66,233 |
September 17 | 6:00 PM | UCF | Florida International | FIU Stadium • Miami, FL | ESPN3 | W 17–10 | 20,205 |
September 17 | 6:00 PM | Nicholls State | Louisiana–Lafayette | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | ESPN3 | W 38–21 | 28,741 |
September 17 | 6:00 PM | Indiana State | Western Kentucky | Houchens Industries – L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY | ESPN3 | L 16–44 | 15,793 |
September 17 | 6:30 PM | North Texas | #2 Alabama | Bryant–Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL | FSN | L 0–41 | 101,821 |
September 17 | 6:30 PM | Troy | #13 Arkansas | Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR | CSS | L 28–38 | 69,861 |
Players of the Week[17]
Offensive |
Co-Defensive |
Special teams |
Player |
Team |
Players |
Teams |
Player |
Team |
Corey Robinson |
Troy |
Isame Faciane/LaDarrius Madden |
FIU/Troy |
Melvin White |
Louisiana–Lafayette |
Week Four
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
September 24 | 11:00 AM | Louisiana–Monroe | Iowa | Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, IA | BTN | L 17–45 | 70,585 |
September 24 | 3:30 PM | Middle Tennessee | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL (Battle for the Palladium) | Sun Belt Network | TROY 38–35 | 20,185 |
September 24 | 6:00 PM | Louisiana–Lafayette | Florida International | FIU Stadium • Miami, FL | ESPN3 | ULL 36–31 | 16,780 |
September 24 | 6:00 PM | Florida Atlantic | Auburn | Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, AL | FS South | L 14–30 | 82,249 |
September 24 | 6:00 PM | Indiana | North Texas | Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX | ESPN3 | W 24–21 | 21,181 |
September 24 | 7:00 PM | Central Arkansas | Arkansas State | ASU Stadium • Jonesboro, AR | KATV | W 53–24 | 27,918 |
Players of the Week[18]
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special teams |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Blaine Gautier |
Louisiana–Lafayette |
Chris Pickett |
Troy |
Brian David |
Arkansas State |
Arkansas State kicker Brian David was also named one of three Lou Groza Award Stars of the Week and the College Football Performance Awards' National Placekicker of the Week after going making 6 field goals and 5 extra points in the Red Wolves win over Central Arkansas.[19]
Week Five
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
October 1 | 3:00 PM | Arkansas State | Western Kentucky | Houchens Industries – L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY | Sun Belt Network | ASU 26–22 | 10,813 |
October 1 | 6:00 PM | Florida Atlantic | Louisiana–Lafayette | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | ESPN3 | ULL 37–34 | 26,339 |
October 1 | 6:00 PM | Duke | Florida International | FIU Stadium • Miami, FL | ESPNU | L 27–31 | 22,682 |
October 1 | 6:00 PM | Memphis | Middle Tennessee | Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN | ESPN3 | W 38–31 | 20,098 |
October 1 | 6:00 PM | North Texas | Tulsa | Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium • Tulsa, OK | | L 24–41 | 21,240 |
October 1 | 6:00 PM | UAB | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL | SportSouth | W 24–23 | 18,044 |
Players of the Week[20]
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special teams |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Ryan Aplin |
Arkansas State |
Lance Kelley |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
Brett Baer |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
Louisiana-Lafayette kicker Brett Baer was also named one of the Lou Groza Award Stars of the Week after making 3 field goals including the game winner as time expired. He also made 4 extra points in the Cajuns win over Florida Atlantic.[21]
Week Six
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
October 6 | 6:30 PM | Western Kentucky | Middle Tennessee | Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN | ESPNU | WKU 36–33 | 23,307 |
October 8 | 6:00 PM | Troy | Louisiana–Lafayette | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | ESPN3 | ULL 31–17 | 29,775 |
October 8 | 6:00 PM | Arkansas State | Louisiana–Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA | | ASU 24–19 | 15,027 |
October 8 | 6:30 PM | Florida Atlantic | North Texas | Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX | Sun Belt Network | UNT 31–17 | 13,142 |
October 8 | 2:00 PM | Florida International | Akron | InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field • Akron, OH | | W 27–17 | 16,016 |
Players of the Week[22]
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special teams |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Chris Masson |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
Kelcie McCray |
Arkansas State |
Don Jones |
Arkansas State |
Week Seven
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
October 15 | 4:00 PM | Western Kentucky | Florida Atlantic | FAU Football Stadium • Boca Raton, FL | | WKU 20–0 | 29,103 |
October 15 | 4:00 PM | North Texas | Louisiana–Lafayette | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | ESPN3 | ULL 30–10 | 32,823 |
October 15 | 6:00 PM | Louisiana–Monroe | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL | ESPN3 | ULM 38–10 | 19,818 |
Players of the Week[23]
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special teams |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Kolton Browning |
Louisiana-Monroe |
Lance Kelley (2) |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
Mitchell Bailey |
Louisiana-Monroe |
Week Eight
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
October 18 | 7:00 PM | Florida International | Arkansas State | ASU Stadium • Jonesboro, AR | ESPN2 | ASU 34–16 | 15,573 |
October 22 | 3:00 PM | Louisiana–Lafayette | Western Kentucky | Houchens Industries – L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY | | WKU 42–23 | 15,122 |
October 22 | 4:00 PM | Louisiana–Monroe | North Texas | Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX | | UNT 38–21 | 17,815 |
October 22 | 8:00 PM | Middle Tennessee | Florida Atlantic | FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL | Sun Belt Network | MTSU 38–14 | 16,344 |
Players of the Week[24]
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special teams |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Bobby Rainey |
Western Kentucky |
Eric Russell |
Middle Tennessee |
Luther Ambrose |
Louisiana-Monroe |
Week Nine
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
October 25 | 8:00 PM | Troy | Florida International | FIU Stadium • Miami, FL | ESPN2 | FIU 23–20 OT | 15,852 |
October 29 | 2:30 PM | Western Kentucky | Louisiana–Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA | | WKU 31–28 OT | 13,428 |
October 29 | 6:00 PM | North Texas | Arkansas State | ASU Stadium • Jonesboro, AR | | ASU 37–14 | 19,761 |
October 29 | 6:30 PM | Louisiana–Lafayette | Middle Tennessee | Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN | Sun Belt Network | ULL 45–20 | 13,500 |
Players of the Week[25]
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special teams |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Alonzo Harris |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
Melvin White |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
Jack Griffin |
FIU |
Week Ten
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
November 5 | 2:30 PM | Troy | Navy | Navy – Marine Corps Memorial Stadium • Annapolis, MD | CBS Sports Network | L 14–42 | 33,359 |
November 5 | 6:00 PM | Middle Tennessee | Tennessee | Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN | Fox Sports South | L 0–24 | 88,211 |
November 5 | 2:30 PM | Louisiana–Monroe | Louisiana–Lafayette | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | Sun Belt Network | ULL 36–35 | 28,176 |
November 5 | 3:00 PM | Florida International | Western Kentucky | Houchens Industries – L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY | | WKU 10–9 | 15,293 |
November 5 | 6:00 PM | Arkansas State | Florida Atlantic | FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL | | ASU 39–21 | 15,162 |
Players of the Week[26]
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special teams |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Ryan Aplin (2) |
Arkansas State |
Devon Lewis-Buchanon |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
Brett Baer (2) |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
Week Eleven
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
November 12 | 6:00 PM | Western Kentucky | #1 LSU | Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA | ESPNU | L 9–42 | 92,917 |
November 12 | 12:00 PM | North Texas | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL | Sun Belt Network | UNT 38-33 | 17,103 |
November 12 | 2:00 PM | Louisiana-Lafayette | Arkansas State | ASU Stadium • Jonesboro, AR | ESPN3 | ASU 30-21 | 20,261 |
November 12 | 2:30 PM | Middle Tennessee | Louisiana-Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA | | ULM 42-14 | 11,987 |
November 12 | 5:00 PM | Florida Atlantic | Florida International | FIU Stadium • Miami, FL | | FIU 41-7 | 17,378 |
Players of the Week[27]
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special teams |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Derek Thompson |
North Texas |
Brandon Joiner |
Arkansas State |
T.Y. Hilton (3) |
Florida International |
Week Twelve
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
November 19 | 2:00 PM | Arkansas State | Middle Tennessee | Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN | ESPN3 | ASU 45-19 | 12,806 |
November 19 | 2:30 PM | Florida Atlantic | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL | | Troy 34-7 | 14,342 |
November 19 | 4:00 PM | Florida International | Louisiana-Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA | | FIU 28-17 | 10,587 |
November 19 | 6:00 PM | Western Kentucky | North Texas | Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX | Sun Belt Network | WKU 31-21 | 17,011 |
Players of the Week[28]
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special teams |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Bobby Rainey (2) |
Western Kentucky |
Jonathan Cyprien |
Florida International |
Luther Ambrose (2) |
Louisiana-Monroe |
Week Thirteen
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
November 26 | 11:30 PM | Troy | Western Kentucky | Houchens Industries – L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY | Sun Belt Network | WKU 41-18 | 15,432 |
November 26 | 2:30 PM | Florida International | Middle Tennessee | Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN | | FIU 31-18 | 10,227 |
November 26 | 3:00 PM | Louisiana-Lafayette | Arizona | Arizona Stadium • Tucson, AZ | | L 37-45 | 38,819 |
November 26 | 3:00 PM | UAB | Florida Atlantic | FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL | | W 38-35 | 12,044 |
Players of the Week[29]
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special teams |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Player |
Team |
Bobby Rainey (3) |
Western Kentucky |
Jemarlous Moten |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
Brett Baer (3) |
Louisiana-Lafayette |
Bowl Games
The Sun Belt placed 3 teams in bowl games with 4 teams being bowl eligible in 2011. Western Kentucky was the only bowl eligible team not selected.
NOTE: All times are local.
Home attendance
Team |
Stadium (Capacity) |
Game 1 |
Game 2 |
Game 3 |
Game 4 |
Game 5 |
Game 6 |
Total |
Average |
% of Capacity |
Arkansas State |
ASU Stadium (30,964) |
29,872 |
27,918 |
15,573 |
19,761 |
20,261 |
|
113,385 |
22,677 |
73.2% |
Florida Atlantic |
FAU Football Stadium (30,000) |
29,103 |
16,344 |
15,162 |
12,044 |
|
|
72,652 |
18,163 |
60.5% |
FIU |
FIU Stadium (23,500) |
17,568 |
20,205 |
16,780 |
22,682 |
15,852 |
17,378 |
110,465 |
18,411 |
78.3% |
Louisiana–Lafayette |
Cajun Field (31,000) |
28,741 |
26,339 |
29,775 |
32,823 |
28,176 |
|
145,854 |
29,171 |
94.1% |
Louisiana–Monroe |
Malone Stadium (30,427) |
26,532 |
15,027 |
13,428 |
11,987 |
10,587 |
|
77,561 |
15,512 |
51.0% |
Middle Tennessee |
Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium (30,788) |
30,502 |
20,098 |
23,307 |
13,500 |
12,806 |
10,277 |
110,490 |
18,415 |
59.8% |
North Texas |
Apogee Stadium (30,850) |
28,075 |
21,181 |
13,142 |
17,815 |
17,011 |
|
97,224 |
19,445 |
63.0% |
Troy |
Veterans Memorial Stadium (30,000) |
20,185 |
18,044 |
19,818 |
17,103 |
14,342 |
|
89,492 |
17,898 |
59.7% |
Western Kentucky |
Houchens Industries – L. T. Smith Stadium (22,000) |
19,409 |
15,793 |
10,813 |
15,122 |
15,293 |
15,432 |
91,862 |
15,310 |
69.6% |
References
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| Current teams | |
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| Future teams | |
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| Championships & awards | |
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| Seasons | |
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| Conference seasons | |
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| Bowl season | |
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| All-Americans | |
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| National champion | |
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