2017 Sun Belt Conference Leaders First Downs - Games in August/September Only through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkansas State | 3 | 20 | 55 | 3 | 78 | 26.0 |
| 2 | Louisiana-Lafayette | 4 | 41 | 47 | 3 | 91 | 22.8 |
| 3 | Troy | 5 | 40 | 58 | 11 | 109 | 21.8 |
| 4 | New Mexico State | 5 | 27 | 76 | 4 | 107 | 21.4 |
| 5 | Appalachian State | 4 | 33 | 44 | 8 | 85 | 21.3 |
| 6 | Louisiana-Monroe | 4 | 40 | 37 | 6 | 83 | 20.8 |
| 7 | Coastal Carolina | 4 | 46 | 26 | 7 | 79 | 19.8 |
| 8 | Georgia State | 3 | 21 | 30 | 6 | 57 | 19.0 |
| 9 | Idaho | 4 | 30 | 33 | 9 | 72 | 18.0 |
| 10 | South Alabama | 5 | 35 | 48 | 5 | 88 | 17.6 |
| 11 | Texas State | 5 | 36 | 34 | 14 | 84 | 16.8 |
| 12 | Georgia Southern | 3 | 30 | 7 | 6 | 43 | 14.3 |