2016 Sun Belt Conference Leaders First Downs - Games in October Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana-Monroe | 5 | 51 | 44 | 8 | 103 | 20.6 |
| 2 | Appalachian State | 4 | 46 | 35 | 14 | 95 | 23.8 |
| 2 | Idaho | 4 | 26 | 60 | 9 | 95 | 23.8 |
| 4 | Texas State | 4 | 29 | 59 | 5 | 93 | 23.3 |
| 5 | New Mexico State | 4 | 38 | 43 | 11 | 92 | 23.0 |
| 6 | Georgia State | 5 | 35 | 47 | 8 | 90 | 18.0 |
| 7 | Troy | 3 | 29 | 40 | 6 | 75 | 25.0 |
| 8 | Arkansas State | 3 | 35 | 29 | 7 | 71 | 23.7 |
| 9 | Georgia Southern | 4 | 34 | 31 | 5 | 70 | 17.5 |
| 10 | South Alabama | 4 | 28 | 30 | 4 | 62 | 15.5 |
| 11 | Louisiana-Lafayette | 3 | 33 | 23 | 4 | 60 | 20.0 |