2016 Sun Belt Conference Leaders Rushing Defense - On 3rd Down through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Att | Yards | Avg. | TD | Long | 1st | 10+ | 20+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia Southern | 12 | 62 | 124 | 2.00 | 2 | 28 | 20 | 4 | 2 |
| 2 | Louisiana-Monroe | 12 | 68 | 284 | 4.18 | 9 | 55 | 30 | 8 | 5 |
| 2 | Idaho | 13 | 68 | 317 | 4.66 | 2 | 31 | 29 | 15 | 3 |
| 4 | New Mexico State | 12 | 69 | 413 | 5.99 | 3 | 47 | 35 | 15 | 4 |
| 5 | Appalachian State | 13 | 70 | 177 | 2.53 | 3 | 23 | 21 | 10 | 1 |
| 6 | Louisiana-Lafayette | 13 | 72 | 181 | 2.51 | 3 | 32 | 22 | 7 | 1 |
| 7 | Troy | 13 | 74 | 167 | 2.26 | 2 | 29 | 30 | 8 | 1 |
| 8 | Texas State | 12 | 77 | 443 | 5.75 | 5 | 61 | 36 | 11 | 5 |
| 9 | Arkansas State | 13 | 82 | 358 | 4.37 | 2 | 47 | 30 | 17 | 6 |
| 10 | South Alabama | 13 | 86 | 290 | 3.37 | 4 | 68 | 25 | 13 | 2 |
| 11 | Georgia State | 12 | 91 | 261 | 2.87 | 3 | 28 | 39 | 9 | 2 |
| 1st: First Downs; 10+: Rush attempts of 10 or more yards; 20+: Rush attempts of 20 or more yards | ||||||||||