BOONE, N.C. — A win in a first-place showdown with Troy has put Appalachian State one step closer to a conference championship.
For the second straight week, a title will be decided at The Rock.
App State clinched the Sun Belt's East Division with a 21-10 home victory against the Trojans, and the Mountaineers (9-2, 7-1) will play host to the inaugural Sun Belt Championship Game. The winner of that ESPN game at noon in Kidd Brewer Stadium will receive a bid to the R+L New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 15.
Seeking a third consecutive Sun Belt title, the Mountaineers jumped out to a 21-0 lead on Troy (9-3, 7-1) in the opening 20 minutes thanks to Zac Thomas' two touchdown passes to Corey Sutton and Thomas' score on a quarterback keeper.