2016 Sun Belt Conference Leaders First Downs - Games Lost Only through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico State | 9 | 84 | 86 | 17 | 187 | 20.8 |
| 2 | Louisiana-Lafayette | 7 | 67 | 57 | 12 | 136 | 19.4 |
| 3 | Troy | 3 | 16 | 35 | 7 | 58 | 19.3 |
| 4 | South Alabama | 7 | 47 | 76 | 9 | 132 | 18.9 |
| 5 | Idaho | 4 | 22 | 45 | 8 | 75 | 18.8 |
| 6 | Arkansas State | 5 | 29 | 57 | 5 | 91 | 18.2 |
| 7 | Georgia Southern | 7 | 59 | 54 | 11 | 124 | 17.7 |
| 8 | Appalachian State | 3 | 28 | 22 | 2 | 52 | 17.3 |
| 9 | Louisiana-Monroe | 8 | 60 | 64 | 8 | 132 | 16.5 |
| 10 | Georgia State | 9 | 41 | 91 | 13 | 145 | 16.1 |
| 11 | Texas State | 10 | 52 | 84 | 13 | 149 | 14.9 |