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The Sun Belt is often referred to the “Fun Belt” amongst college football fans, consisting of fringe-Power Five programs that can beat the “Big Boys” at any given time. On par with MACtion madness, the conference provides viewing entertainment on a weekly basis.
This weekend was no different with Sun Belt power Marshall beating ACC foe Virginia Tech on Saturday. Unfortunately, league action after that contest is putting the “Fun Belt” moniker in danger.
Marshall hosted the Hokies on Saturday, pulling out a 24-17 victory in front of a sold-out crowd at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. The win is this year’s latest for the conference over a P5 program, having already seen South Alabama receive a $300k paycheck to beat Oklahoma State, James Madison take down Virginia, and Texas State smack around the Baylor Bears.
App State nearly joined that list against UNC before falling in double overtime, 40-34.
The fun isn’t restricted to the field of play, either. Where else will you see a marching band member swipe an opposing team’s turnover prop to pass through the students’ section? Pure, unadulterated chaos.
The league lost some of that fun-loving spirit with its latest act, however.
Prior to Marshall’s win over Virginia Tech, drone footage captured the incredible sights and sounds of the team’s pregame festivities.
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While that video was made into an incredible social media clip for football fans, the Sun Belt opted to punish the Thundering Herd for its drone usage.
According to Brett McMurphy, the Sun Belt “issued a ‘public reprimand’ for the ‘drone flying over the field when squad members were present during team introductions for Marshall.'”
Fans immediately responded to the punishment online with many referring to the league as the “No-Fun Belt.”
“No longer the Fun Belt.”
“Who cares that they flew a drone?! This is amazing.”
“People just need to relax and have some fun. It was harmless.”
“Worth the reprimand/fine… Sun Belt is a bunch of Fun Sponges.”
Marshall asked for forgiveness rather than approval in this case and the end result was incredible. We’ll see if they’re able to recreate the scene at future games.