Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. took exception to comments made by former teammate Cam Newton, who called the team “losers” before he arrived in 2011 as the No. 1 overall pick.

Louisiana-Lafayette was 0-8 against Appalachian State, including losses in the last two conference championship games. But Ferrod Gardner and Chauncey Manac combined to sack Appalachian State quarterback Zac Thomas on a fourth-and-9 play at the Lafayette 29. Appalachian State beat Louisiana-Lafayette four times in the previous two seasons, twice in the championship game on this same field. 14 Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt Conference championship game on Dec. 19. Appalachian State: Head on the road to face Georgia Southern on Dec. 12 in the regular season finale.