App State Football: 3 takeaways from Sun Belt win over Louisiana

1. Appalachian State and Louisiana both flashed top-notch kick returners

There were some huge kickoff returns in both directions, as both Appalachian State and Louisiana used their special teams to flip field position in the Sun Belt championship game. After Louisiana kicked a field goal on the opening drive of the game, App State’s Darrynton Evans racked up a 97-yard return on the ensuing kickoff. That allowed the Mountaineers to punch in the go-ahead touchdown with their first offensive play of the game.

In the opposite direction, Evans was matched by Louisiana’s return man Raymond Calais. The junior was a steadying presence, setting up the Ragin’ Cajuns with several short fields to keep the underdogs in the contest. On his three returns, Calais racked up returns of 17, 45, and 61 yards to show remarkable consistency as a game-changer. Ryheem Malone kept up the good work when App State started aiming his way, adding 57 yards on three more returns.

Between the two sides, they finished with 293 total kickoff return yards on nine combined returns. It was harder sledding on punt returns, where Louisiana averaged only two yards per return on three tries and the hometown Mountaineers saw Clinton Duck only try one return for three yards. But with their kickoff teams boasting big games, their respective bowl opponents will need to solidify their kick coverage teams to prevent getting burned by Evans and Calais.