2021 SMU Mustangs football team

2021 SMU Mustangs football
Fenway Bowl, vs. Virginia, Canceled
Conference	American Athletic Conference
Record	8–4 (4–4 AAC)
Head coach	Sonny Dykes (4th season; regular season) Jim Leavitt (interim; bowl game)
Co-offensive coordinator	Garrett Riley (2nd season)
Co-offensive coordinator	A. J. Ricker (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Jim Leavitt (1st season)
Base defense	3–4
Home stadium	Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Uniform
Seasons ←  2020 2022  →

2021 American Athletic Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 4 Cincinnati y$^		8	–	0					13	–	1
No. 17 Houston y		8	–	0					12	–	2
UCF		5	–	3					9	–	4
East Carolina		5	–	3					7	–	5
Tulsa		5	–	3					7	–	6
SMU		4	–	4					8	–	4
Memphis		3	–	5					6	–	6
Navy		3	–	5					4	–	8
Tulane		1	–	7					2	–	10
South Florida		1	–	7					2	–	10
Temple		1	–	7					3	–	9
Championship: Cincinnati 35, Houston 20
^ – College Football Playoff participant $ – Conference champion y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

The 2021 SMU Mustangs football team represented Southern Methodist University during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Mustangs played their home games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in University Park, Texas, a separate city within the city limits of Dallas, competed as members of the American Athletic Conference (AAC). The Mustangs were led by fourth-year coach Sonny Dykes—on November 29, it was announced that Dykes would leave the program to become the head coach at TCU. ^[1] He finished at SMU with an overall record of 30–18.

After finishing their regular season with an 8–4 record, the Mustangs accepted a bid to play in the Fenway Bowl, where they were due to face the Virginia Cavaliers. On December 26, the Cavaliers withdrew from the game, due to COVID-19 issues; the bowl was subsequently canceled. ^[2]

Preseason

Media poll

The American Athletic Conference preseason media poll was released at the virtual media day held August 4, 2021. ^[3] Cincinnati, who finished the 2020 season ranked No. 8 nationally, was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the 2021 preseason media poll.

Media poll
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Cincinnati	262 (22)
2	UCF	241 (2)
3	SMU	188
4	Houston	181
5	Memphis	168
6	Tulsa	153
7	Tulane	132
T–8	East Carolina	85
T–8	Navy	85
10	Temple	46
11	South Florida	43

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 4	6:00 p.m.	Abilene Christian *		Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX	ESPN+	W 56–9	23,373
September 11	6:00 p.m.	North Texas *		Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX (Safeway Bowl)	ESPN+	W 35–12	29,121
September 18	2:30 p.m.	at Louisiana Tech *		Joe Aillet Stadium Ruston, LA	CBSSN	W 39–37	15,326
September 25	11:00 a.m.	at TCU *		Amon G. Carter Stadium Fort Worth, TX (Battle for the Iron Skillet)	FS1	W 42–34	46,672
October 2	3:00 p.m.	South Florida		Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX	ESPNU	W 41–17	23,355
October 9	2:30 p.m.	at Navy	No. 24	Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis, MD (Gansz Trophy)	CBSSN	W 31–24	28,563
October 21	6:30 p.m.	Tulane	No. 21	Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX	ESPN	W 55–26	22,843
October 30	6:00 p.m.	at Houston	No. 19	TDECU Stadium Houston, TX	ESPN2	L 37–44	25,676
November 6	11:00 a.m.	at Memphis		Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN	ESPNU	L 25–28	30,191
November 13	11:00 a.m.	UCF		Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX	ESPNU	W 55–28	23,175
November 20	2:30 p.m.	at No. 5 Cincinnati		Nippert Stadium Cincinnati, OH	ESPN	L 14–48	37,978
November 27	3:00 p.m.	Tulsa		Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX	ESPN2	L 31–34	17,158
December 29	10:00 a.m.	vs. Virginia *		Fenway Park Boston, MA (Fenway Bowl)	ESPN	Canceled
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 2) - Released prior to game All times are in Central time

^{[4] [5]}

Personnel

2021 SMU Mustangs football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class WR 1 Jordan Kerley So QB 2 Preston Stone Fr RB 4 Tre Siggers  Sr WR 5 Danny Gray Sr WR 6 Austin Upshaw Sr RB 7 Ulysses Bentley IV So QB 8 Tanner Mordecai  Jr WR 9 Beau Barker So WR 10 Dylan Goffney Fr WR 11 Rashee Rice Jr QB 12 Derek Green Jr WR 13 Roderick Daniels Jr. Fr TE 14 Nolan Matthews-Harris So QB 16 Josh Stupin  Fr QB 18 Jacob Oehrlein Jr WR 20 Jayleen Record Fr WR 21 Reggie Roberson Jr. Sr RB 22 Brandon Epton Fr RB 25 T.J. McDaniel So RB 26 Montaye Dawson Fr RB 27 Zane Minors Fr RB 28 Blake Bedwell  Fr WR 30 Carter Campbell  Fr RB 31 Tyler Lavine Jr WR 33 Hudson Shrum Jr RB 39 Orlando Jones Sr WR 43 Charles Headen III  Sr TE 44 Sam Morse Fr WR 47 Nic Heck So OL 51 Justin Osborne So OL 52 Marcus Bryant So OL 56 Branson Hickman  Fr OL 57 Cobe Bryant Sr OL 58 Tai Brooks So OL 60 Henry Mossberg  Fr OL 61 Dalton Perdue  Fr OL 62 Marcus Smith  Fr OL 64 Cameron Ervin So OL 67 Dylan Cordell  Fr OL 68 Jackson Ritz  Fr OL 69 Ben Sparks  Fr OL 70 Thalen Robinson  So OL 71 Jaylon Thomas Sr OL 74 Tyler Bailey  Fr OL 75 Hayden Howerton Sr OL 76 Keaton Schulz Fr OL 77 Alan Ali Sr OL 78 Beau Morris Sr OL 79 Danielson Ike So TE 81 Ben Redding Sr WR 82 Parker Stone So TE 83 Simon Gonzalez  So TE 86 Tommy McIntyre Sr TE 88 Grant Calcaterra  Sr TE 89 Gage Haskin  Fr	Defense Pos. # Name Class S 0 Bryan Massey So CB 1 Brandon Crossley Jr DB 2 Cam Jones Jr LB 3 Delano Robinson Sr CB 4 Jahari Rogers  Fr CB 5 Ar'mani Johnson Sr S 6 T.Q. Jackson So CB 7 Bryce McMorris Fr LB 10 Ty DeArman So S 11 Chevin Calloway Sr S 12 Isaiah Nwokobia Fr S 13 Roderick Roberson Jr. So LB 14 Richard Moore Sr LB 15 Keke Burns So S 16 Trevor Denbow Sr S 18 Chace Cromartie Jr DB 20 Ra-Sun Kazadi Jr S 21 Donald Clay So DB 22 Karl Taylor  Fr LB 23 Shaine Hailey Sr LB 24 Jimmy Phillips Jr. Sr LB 25 Izaiah Kelly Fr CB 26 Sam Westfall Jr LB 27 Ben Furgal So LB 30 Brian Holloway Sr LB 31 Preston Ellison Sr LB 32 Toby Ndukwe Sr DT 33 Junior Aho Jr CB 34 John Porter Jr LB 35 Nick Lerew Jr DB 36 Jadarius Thursby Fr LB 38 Carter Link  Fr DT 39 Darren Brown Jr DE 40 Elijah Chatman Jr LB 41 Isaac Slade-Matautia  Jr LB 42 Deuce Palmer So CB 43 Cross Kittrell Fr DL 44 Kadarius Smith Sr DE 45 Jayden Jones Fr LB 46 Trent Strong  Fr DT 47 Stone Eby Fr LB 48 Will Benton So DE 49 Parker Forque Fr LB 50 Trevion Sneed Fr DE 51 Warren Walls So LB 53 Garrett Madison So DE 54 Christopher Reese  Sr LB 55 Gary Wiley Sr LB 56 Jack Young So DT 57 Mike Williams Sr LB 59 Will Goldberg So DE 86 Je'lin Samuels Fr DE 89 Alex Sickafoose So DE 90 Nelson Paul Jr DT 91 Terrance Newman Sr DL 92 Stephon Wright  Jr DE 93 Bobby Duncam  Fr DL 94 Erin Smith  Fr DE 95 Will Jones Sr DE 96 DeVere Levelston Jr LB 97 Turner Coxe Sr DL 98 Jay Bell Sr DE 99 Harrison Loveless Sr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class LS 46 Spencer Luce Jr LS 48 Will Benton So LS 49 Cole Voyles Jr LS 89 Gage Haskin  Fr P 91 Matt Fraanje  Fr K 92 Blake Mazza Sr K, P 93 Brendan Hall Fr	Head coach Sonny Dykes (Texas Tech) Coordinators/assistant coaches Jim Leavitt (Missouri) Defensive coordinator Garrett Riley (Texas Tech) Offensive coordinator/QB A. J. Ricker (Missouri) Co-offensive coordinator/OL Ra'Shaad Samples (Houston) Assistant head coach/Running backs David Gru (Louisiana Tech) Wide receivers Trey Haverty (Texas Tech) Safeties Josh Martin (Tarleton State) Tight ends Stefan McClure (California) Cornerbacks Kenny Perry (Houston) Special teams coordinator Chidera Uzo–Diribe (Colorado) Defensive line Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: September 17, 2021

Depth chart

†	As of September 17, 2021

Defense [6] FS ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ WLB ILB ILB SLB ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ SS ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ CB ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ DE NT DE ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ CB ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ Offense [6] WR Reggie Roberson Jr. Jordan Kerley ⋅ WR Danny Gray Austin Upshaw ⋅ LT LG C RG RT Jaylon Thomas Hayden Howerton Alan Ali Justin Osborne Marcus Bryant Dalton Perdue Cameron Ervin Branson Hickman Ben Sparks Beau Morris ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ TE Grant Calcaterra Tommy McIntyre Nolan Matthews WR Rashee Rice Roderick Daniels Jr. ⋅ QB Tanner Mordecai Preston Stone Derek Green Special teams PK Blake Mazza PK Brendan Hall P Matt Fraanje P Brendan Hall KR Ulysses Bentley IV PR Jordan Kerley LS Cole Voyles H Derek Green RB Ulysses Bentley IV Tre Siggers Tyler Lavine

Game summaries

Abilene Christian

Abilene Christian at Southern Methodist

1 2 3 4 Total Wildcats 0 3 6 0 9 •Mustangs 7 28 14 7 56 Date: September 4 Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX Game start: 6:06 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 21 minutes Game attendance: 23,373 Game weather: Temperature: 95 °F (35 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SE 7 MPH Referee: Tim Rich TV announcers (ESPN+): Ted Emrich (play–by–play), Stanford Routt (analyst) and Morgan Uber (sideline)

Scoring summary 1 11:19 SMU Grant Calcaterra 21–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (3 plays, 44 yards, 1:04) SMU 7–0 2 10:55 SMU Grant Calcaterra 8–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (11 plays, 68 yards, 4:51) SMU 14–0 07:41 SMU Danny Gray 30–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (5 plays, 64 yards, 1:47) SMU 21–0 05:01 SMU Danny Gray 27–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (4 plays, 31 yards, 1:16) SMU 28–0 03:06 ACU Blair Zepeda 47–yard field goal (5 plays, 60 yards, 1:50) SMU 28–3 00:29 SMU Rashee Rice 30–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (8 plays, 75 yards, 2:37) SMU 35–3 3 10:33 SMU Nolan Matthews 8–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (9 plays, 65 yards, 4:27) SMU 42–3 04:38 ACU Kobe Clark 11–yard pass from Stone Earle (pass failed) (16 plays, 75 yards, 5:55) SMU 42–9 00:46 SMU Nolan Matthews 31–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (9 plays, 75 yards, 3:52) SMU 49–9 4 11:44 SMU Brandon Epton Jr. 2–yard run (Brendan Hall kick) (1 play, 2 yards, 0:04) SMU 56–9

See also: 2021 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU –32	66 [7]

Statistics	ACU	SMU
First downs	14	27
Total yards	332	490
Rushing yards	119	171
Passing yards	213	319
Turnovers	4	1
Time of possession	28:22	31:38

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Abilene Christian	Passing	Stone Earle	13/28, 160 yards, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Peyton Mansell	2 carries, 33 yards
	Receiving	Kobe Clark	6 receptions, 89 yards, TD
SMU	Passing	Tanner Mordecai	24/30, 317 yards, 7 TD
	Rushing	Ulysses Bentley IV	10 carries, 48 yards
	Receiving	Danny Gray	4 receptions, 72 yards, 2 TD

North Texas

North Texas at Southern Methodist

1 2 3 4 Total Mean Green 3 3 6 0 12 •Mustangs 0 7 14 14 35 Date: September 11 Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX Game start: 6:05 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 57 minutes Game attendance: 29,121 Game weather: Temperature: 88 °F (31 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: E 10 MPH Referee: Jon Noli TV announcers (ESPN+): Ted Emrich (play–by–play), Stanford Routt (analyst) and Morgan Uber (sideline)

Scoring summary 1 09:29 UNT Ethan Mooney 19–yard field goal (6 plays, 25 yards, 1:33) UNT 3–0 2 13:52 UNT Ethan Mooney 22–yard field goal (10 plays, 81 yards, 3:28) UNT 6–0 03:50 SMU Rashee Rice 62–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (2 plays, 63 yards, 0:41) SMU 7–6 3 11:13 SMU Danny Gray 58–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (3 plays, 81 yards, 0:55) SMU 14–6 06:12 UNT Isaiah Johnson 23–yard pass from Jace Ruder (DeAndre Torrey pass failed) (13 plays, 78 yards, 4:58) SMU 14–12 05:01 SMU Grant Calcaterra 29–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (4 plays, 77 yards, 1:06) SMU 21–12 4 11:17 SMU Ulysses Bentley IV 19–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (8 plays, 80 yards, 3:10) SMU 28–12 07:37 SMU Ulysses Bentley IV 85–yard rush (Blake Mazza kick) (1 play, 85 yards, 0:14) SMU 35–12

See also: 2021 North Texas Mean Green football team and Safeway Bowl

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU –22.5	75 [8]

Statistics	UNT	SMU
First downs	23	20
Total yards	506	536
Rushing yards	122	225
Passing yards	384	311
Turnovers	5	4
Time of possession	36:06	23:54

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
North Texas	Passing	Jace Ruder	32/51, 366 yards, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	DeAndre Torrey	16 carries, 71 yards
	Receiving	Roderic Burns	12 receptions, 141 yards
SMU	Passing	Tanner Mordecai	21/33, 311 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Ulysses Bentley IV	10 carries, 141 yards, TD
	Receiving	Rashee Rice	4 receptions, 99 yards, TD

At Louisiana Tech

Southern Methodist at Louisiana Tech

1 2 3 4 Total •Mustangs 7 9 17 6 39 Bulldogs 7 7 14 9 37 Date: September 18 Location: Joe Aillet Stadium Ruston, LA Game start: 2:32 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 49 minutes Game attendance: 15,326 Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Cloudy Referee: Patrick Foy TV announcers (CBS Sports Network): Chick Hernandez (play–by–play) and Ben Leber (analyst)

Scoring summary 1 06:22 LT Tre Harris 62-yard pass from Austin Kendall (Jacob Barnes kick) (5 plays, 80 yards, 2:12) LT 7–0 03:13 SMU Rashee Rice 41-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (9 plays, 78 yards, 3:04) TIE 7–7 2 06:49 LT Samuel Emilus 11-yard pass from Austin Kendall (Jacob Barnes kick) (13 plays, 99 yards, 6:00) LT 14–7 03:30 SMU Danny Gray 17-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza PAT blocked) (9 plays, 75 yards, 3:19) LT 14–13 00:00 SMU Blake Mazza 29-yard field goal (10 plays, 46 yards, 2:17) SMU 16–14 3 12:09 SMU Jordan Kerley 18-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (7 plays, 78 yards, 2:42) SMU 23–14 10:30 LT Tre Harris 11-yard pass from Austin Kendall (Jacob Barnes kick) (5 plays, 75 yards, 1:39) SMU 23–21 07:55 SMU Blake Mazza 24-yard field goal (5 plays, 22 yards, 2:24) SMU 26–21 05:25 LT Austin Kendall 3-yard rush (Jacob Barnes kick) (6 plays, 75 yards, 2:30) LT 28–26 00:24 SMU Rashee Rice 5-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (3 plays, 9 yards, 0:54) SMU 33–28 4 05:07 LT Marcus Williams Jr. 6-yard pass from Austin Kendall (two-point pass conversion attempt failed) (9 plays, 70 yards, 4:13) LT 34–33 00:36 LT Jacob Barnes 47-yard field goal (6 plays, 6 yards, 2:42) LT 37–33 00:00 SMU Reggie Roberson Jr. 33-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (6 plays, 73 yards, 0:36) SMU 39–37

See also: 2021 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU –12.5	66 [9]

Statistics	SMU	LT
First downs	31	24
Total yards	578	483
Rushing yards	183	132
Passing yards	395	351
Turnovers	0	1
Time of possession	32:37	27:23

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
SMU	Passing	Tanner Mordecai	36/48, 395 yards, 5 TD
	Rushing	Ulysses Bentley IV	13 carries, 61 yards
	Receiving	Grant Calcaterra	7 receptions, 103 yards
Louisiana Tech	Passing	Austin Kendall	24/40, 351 yards, 4 TD, INT
	Rushing	Marcus Williams Jr.	13 carries, 65 yards
	Receiving	Tre Harris	5 receptions, 102 yards, 2 TD

At TCU

Southern Methodist at Texas Christian

1 2 3 4 Total •Mustangs 14 7 14 7 42 Horned Frogs 14 7 6 7 34 Date: September 25 Location: Amon G. Carter Stadium Fort Worth, TX Game start: 11:03 a.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 18 minutes Game attendance: 46,672 Game weather: Temperature: 78 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SW 2 MPH Referee: Charles Lamertina TV announcers (FS1): Dan Hellie (play–by–play) and Robert Smith (analyst)

Scoring summary 1 14:08 SMU Danny Gray 68-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza PAT failed) (3 plays, 77 yards, 0:46) SMU 6–0 10:48 TCU Kendre Miller 20-yard rush (Griffin Kell kick) (6 plays, 54 yards, 3:12) TCU 7–6 08:44 SMU Tanner Mordecai 4-yard rush (Ben Redding two-point conversion rush) (6 plays, 75 yards, 2:04) SMU 14–7 07:14 TCU Derius Davis 13-yard pass from Max Duggan (Griffin Kell kick) (3 plays, 75 yards, 1:30) TIE 14–14 2 13:31 TCU Zach Evans 46-yard pass from Max Duggan (Griffin Kell kick) (6 plays, 86 yards, 2:23) TCU 21–14 10:49 SMU Reggie Roberson Jr. 29-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (7 plays, 75 yards, 2:42) TIE 21–21 3 14:19 SMU Ulysses Bentley IV 1-yard rush (Blake Mazza kick) (2 plays, 3 yards, 0:25) SMU 28–21 10:27 TCU Griffin Kell 40-yard field goal (8 plays, 43 yards, 3:45) SMU 28–24 07:09 SMU Rashee Rice 11-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (8 plays, 75 yards, 3:18) SMU 35–24 00:22 TCU Griffin Kell 30-yard field goal (4 plays, 3 yards, 1:00) SMU 35–27 4 12:19 SMU Jordan Kerley 26-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (7 plays, 75 yards, 3:03) SMU 42–27 04:05 TCU Taye Barber 21-yard pass from Max Duggan (Griffin Kell kick) (7 plays, 91 yards, 1:45) SMU 42–34

See also: 2021 TCU Horned Frogs football team and SMU–TCU football rivalry

Pregame line	Over/under
TCU –9.5	65.5 [10]

Statistics	SMU	TCU
First downs	29	20
Total yards	595	446
Rushing yards	350	170
Passing yards	245	276
Turnovers	3	1
Time of possession	33:52	26:08

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
SMU	Passing	Tanner Mordecai	17/28, 245 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT
	Rushing	Ulysses Bentley IV	20 rushes, 153 yards, TD
	Receiving	Danny Gray	4 receptions, 130 yards, TD
TCU	Passing	Max Duggan	16/28, 276 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Zach Evans	15 rushes, 113 yards
	Receiving	Taye Barber	5 receptions, 114 yards, TD

South Florida

South Florida at Southern Methodist

1 2 3 4 Total Bulls 0 3 14 0 17 •Mustangs 10 7 10 14 41 Date: October 2 Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX Game start: 3:00 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3:21 Game attendance: 23,355 Game weather: Temperature: 84 °F (29 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: W 8 MPH Referee: Edwin Lee TV announcers (ESPNU): Mike Couzens (play-by-play) and Dustin Fox (analyst)

Scoring summary 1 10:50 SMU Reggie Roberson Jr. 21-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (12 plays, 75 yards, 4:10) SMU 7–0 4:40 SMU Blake Mazza 26-yard field goal (11 plays, 65 yards, 4:21) SMU 10–0 2 12:05 SMU Rashee Rice 10-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (13 plays, 97 yards, 4:41) SMU 17–0 4:37 USF Spencer Shrader 29-yard field goal (14 plays, 63 yards, 7:28) SMU 17–3 3 12:50 USF Jaren Mangham 1-yard run (Spencer Shrader kick) (7 plays, 75 yards, 2:10) SMU 17–10 8:56 SMU Blake Mazza 30-yard field goal (11 plays, 63 yards, 3:54) SMU 20–10 4:25 SMU Tre Siggers 13-yard run (Blake Mazza kick) (5 plays, 58 yards, 2:30) SMU 27–10 0:29 USF Jaren Mangham 1-yard run (Spencer Shrader kick) (10 plays, 75 yards, 3:56) SMU 27–17 4 9:32 SMU Danny Gray 4-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (4 plays, 50 yards, 1:44) SMU 34–17 5:09 SMU Danny Gray 5-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (6 plays, 30 yards, 3:04) SMU 41–17

See also: 2021 South Florida Bulls football team

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU –21	68.5 [11]

Statistics	USF	SMU
First downs	19	30
Total yards	336	463
Rushing yards	113	162
Passing yards	223	301
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	27:11	32:49

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
South Florida	Passing	Timmy McClain	14/22, 223 yards
	Rushing	Brian Battie	7 rushes, 46 yards
	Receiving	Jimmy Horn Jr.	5 receptions, 102 yards
SMU	Passing	Tanner Mordecai	29/42, 301 yards, 4 TD, INT
	Rushing	Tre Siggers	20 rushes, 86 yards, TD
	Receiving	Danny Gray	7 receptions, 74 yards, 2 TD

At Navy

Southern Methodist at Navy

1 2 3 4 Total •No. 24 Mustangs 7 14 3 7 31 Midshipmen 7 14 3 0 24 Date: October 9 Location: Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis, MD Game start: 2:30 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3:05 Game attendance: 28,563 Game weather: Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C) • Weather: Partly cloudy • Wind: SE 10 MPH Referee: Luke Richmond TV announcers (CBSSN): John Sadak (play-by-play), Randy Cross (analyst) & Sheehan Stanwick Burch (sideline)

Scoring summary 1 13:28 SMU Reggie Roberson Jr. 66-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (4 plays, 75 yards, 1:32) SMU 7–0 3:57 NAVY Chance Warren 28-yard run (Bijan Nichols kick) (7 plays, 50 yards, 3:37) TIE 7–7 2 13:45 NAVY Kai Puailoa-Rojas 37-yard pass from Tai Lavatai (Bijan Nichols kick) (6 plays, 71 yards, 2:51) NAVY 14–7 7:42 NAVY Diego Fagot 20-yard fumble return (Nijan Nichols kick) NAVY 21–7 7:29 SMU Bryan Massey 95-yard kickoff return (Blake Mazza kick) NAVY 21–14 1:54 SMU Tre Siggers 2-yard run (Blake Mazza kick) (11 plays, 69 yards, 4:04) TIE 21–21 3 7:26 SMU Blake Mazza 37-yard field goal (9 plays, 36 yards, 4:02) SMU 24–21 0:23 NAVY Bijan Nichols 50-yard field goal (13 plays, 42 yards, 7:03) TIE 24–24 4 8:19 SMU Jordan Kerley 22-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) 9 plays, 65 yards, 3:52) SMU 31–24

See also: 2021 Navy Midshipmen football team and Gansz Trophy

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU –13.5	56 [12]

Statistics	SMU	NAVY
First downs	22	12
Total yards	404	241
Rushing yards	80	177
Passing yards	324	64
Turnovers	2	0
Time of possession	27:41	32:19

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
SMU	Passing	Tanner Mordecai	30/40, 324 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Tre Siggers	14 rushes, 49 yards, TD
	Receiving	Reggie Roberson Jr.	5 receptions, 100 yards, TD
Navy	Passing	Tai Lavatai	4/7, 64 yards, TD
	Rushing	Tai Lavatai	24 rushes, 53 yards
	Receiving	Kai Puailoa-Rojas	1 reception, 37 yards, TD

Tulane

Tulane at Southern Methodist

1 2 3 4 Total Green Wave 7 0 12 7 26 •No. 21 Mustangs 17 14 7 17 55 Date:October 21 Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX Game start: 6:30 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3:24 Game attendance: 22,843 Game weather: Temperature: 79 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NE 6 MPH Referee: Hank Jones TV announcers (ESPN): Matt Barrie (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst) & Harry Lyles Jr. (sideline)

Scoring summary 1 9:56 SMU Blake Mazza 22-yard field goal (14 plays, 50 yards, 5:04) SMU 3–0 6:08 SMU Tre Siggers 1-yard run (Blake Mazza kick) (6 plays, 81 yards, 2:30) SMU 10–0 1:04 SMU Tanner Mordecai 1-yard run (Blake Mazza kick) (11 plays, 88 yards, 3:07) SMU 17–0 0:22 TULN Shae Wyatt 10-yard pass from Michael Pratt (Merek Glover kick) (3 plays, 75 yards, 0:42) SMU 17–7 2 13:25 SMU Tommy McIntyre 24-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (6 plays, 96 yards, 1:57) SMU 24–7 0:53 SMU Reggie Roberson Jr. 22-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (9 plays, 91 yards, 4:24) SMU 31–7 3 12:18 TULN Shae Wyatt 11-yard pass from Michael Pratt (pass failed) (7 plays, 75 yards, 2:42) SMU 31–13 3:33 SMU Tre Siggers 9-yard run (Blake Mazza kick) (11 plays, 91 yards, 5:04) SMU 38–13 1:28 TULN Duece Watts 4-yard pass from Michael Pratt (pass failed) (6 plays, 75 yards, 2:05) SMU 38–19 4 9:05 SMU Blake Mazza 38-yard field goal (6 plays, 13 yards, 3:56) SMU 41–19 6:50 TULN Tyjae Spears 9-yard run (Merek Glover kick) (8 plays, 82 yards, 2:15) SMU 41–26 6:01 SMU Tyler Lavine 44-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (2 plays, 44 yards, 0:49) SMU 48–26 2:39 SMU Brandon Epton Jr. 9-yard run (Blake Mazza kick) (6 plays, 37 yards, 2:47) SMU 55–26

See also: 2021 Tulane Green Wave football team

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU -14.5	70.5 [13]

Statistics	TULN	SMU
First downs	18	31
Total yards	428	612
Rushing yards	194	174
Passing yards	234	438
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	25:37	34:23

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Tulane	Passing	Michael Pratt	11/22, 234 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Tyjae Spears	14 rushes, 85 yards, TD
	Receiving	Jha'Quan Jackson	2 receptions, 93 yards
SMU	Passing	Tanner Mordecai	30/42, 427 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Tre Siggers	15 rushes, 81 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Danny Gray	8 receptions, 140 yards

At Houston

Southern Methodist at Houston

1 2 3 4 Total No. 19 Mustangs 7 13 14 3 37 •Cougars 17 6 7 14 44 Date: October 30 Location: TDECU Stadium Houston, TX Game start: 6:00 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3:37 Game attendance: 25,676 Game weather: Temperature: 74 °F (23 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 6 MPH Referee: Charles Lamertina TV announcers (ESPN2): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), Alyssa Lang (sideline)

Scoring summary 1 11:20 HOU Nathaniel Dell 7-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick) (9 plays, 78 yards, 3:40) HOU 7–0 9:26 HOU Nathaniel Dell 48-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick) (2 plays, 56 yards, 0:33) HOU 14–0 2:20 HOU Dalton Witherspoon 50-yard field goal (9 plays, 55 yards, 4:32) HOU 17–0 0:00 SMU Jordan Kerley 43-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (7 plays, 75 yards, 2:20 HOU 17–7 2 11:41 HOU Dalton Witherspoon 23-yard field goal (7 plays, 69 yards, 3:19) HOU 20–7 7:28 SMU Tre Siggers 50-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (1 play, 50 yards, 0:09) HOU 20–14 2:45 SMU Rashee Rice 6-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (kick blocked) (7 plays, 35 yards, 3:07) TIE 20–20 0:00 HOU Dalton Witherspoon 30-yard field goal (12 plays, 62 yards, 2:45) HOU 23–20 3 14:45 SMU Bryan Massey 100-yard kickoff return (Blake Mazza kick) SMU 27–23 9:22 HOU Nathaniel Dell 17-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick) (11 plays, 72 yards, 5:23) HOU 30–27 5:46 SMU Tre Siggers 2-yard run (Blake Mazza kick) (8 plays, 75 yards, 3:36) SMU 34–30 4 13:36 HOU KeSean Carter 4-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick) (14 plays, 75 yards, 7:10) HOU 37–34 0:30 SMU Blake Mazza 45-yard field goal (10 plays, 58 yards, 1:34) TIE 37–37 0:17 HOU Marcus Jones 100-yard kickoff return (Dalton Witherspoon kick) HOU 44–37

See also: 2021 Houston Cougars football team

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU –1.0	62

Statistics	SMU	HOU
First downs	18	23
Total yards	355	489
Rushing yards	50	77
Passing yards	305	412
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	24:22	35:23

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
SMU	Passing	Tanner Mordecai	24/37, 305 yards, 3 TD, INT
	Rushing	Tre Siggers	13 rushes, 44 yards, TD
	Receiving	Danny Gray	5 receptions, 73 yards
Houston	Passing	Clayton Tune	27/37, 412 yards, 4 TD
	Rushing	Ta'Zhawn Henry	21 rushes, 49 yards
	Receiving	Nathaniel Dell	9 receptions, 165 yards, 3 TD

At Memphis

Southern Methodist at Memphis

1 2 3 4 Total Mustangs 0 10 0 15 25 •Tigers 0 7 14 7 28 Date: November 6 Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN Game start: 11:00 a.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3:14 Game attendance: 30,191 Game weather: Temperature: 54 °F (12 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: 0 MPH Referee: Luke Richmond TV announcers (ESPNU): John Schriffen (play-by-play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst)

Scoring summary 2 1:57 SMU Danny Gray 48-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (6 plays, 80 yards, 2:25) SMU 7–0 0:16 MEM Eddie Lewis 2-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick) (8 plays, 75 yards, 1:41) TIE 7–7 0:00 SMU Blake Mazza 47-yard field goal (2 plays, 26 yards, 0:00) SMU 10–7 3 8:47 MEM Asa Martin 1-yard run (Joe Doyle kick) (5 plays, 41 yards, 2:33) MEM 14–10 2:41 MEM Javon Ivory 27-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick) (11 plays, 90 yards, 2:53) MEM 21–10 4 11:01 MEM Sean Dykes 40-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick) (9 plays, 71 yards, 5:15) MEM 28–10 8:36 SMU Danny Gray 27-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Tanner Mordecai pass to Rashee Rice) (8 plays, 66 yards, 2:18) MEM 28–18 5:53 SMU Tyler Levine 1-yard run (Blake Mazza kick) (5 plays, 32 yards, 1:19) MEM 28–25

See also: 2021 Memphis Tigers football team

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU –3.5	72

Statistics	SMU	MEM
First downs	16	25
Total yards	323	468
Rushing yards	61	36
Passing yards	262	432
Turnovers	3	1
Time of possession	23:05	36:55

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
SMU	Passing	Tanner Mordecai	19/28, 262 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Tre Siggers	12 rushes, 53 yards
	Receiving	Danny Gray	4 receptions, 98 yards, 2 TD
Memphis	Passing	Seth Henigan	34/53, 392 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Marquavius Weaver	10 rushes, 17 yards
	Receiving	Calvin Austin	8 receptions, 88 yards

UCF

Central Florida at Southern Methodist

1 2 3 4 Total Knights 14 0 7 7 28 •Mustangs 21 17 7 10 55 Date: November 13 Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX Game start: 11:00 a.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:27 Game attendance: 23,175 Game weather: Temperature: 56 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SW 2 MPH MPH Referee: Hank Johns TV announcers (ESPNU): John Schriffen (play-by-play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst)

Scoring summary 1 13:23 UCF Ryan O'Keefe 18-yard pass from Mikey Keene (Daniel Obarski kick) (4 plays, 32 yards, 0:31) UCF 7–0 10:38 SMU Grant Calcaterra 15-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (8 plays, 84 yards, 2:37) TIE 7–7 5:33 UCF Parker Navarro 6-yard run (Daniel Obarski kick) (3 plays, 15 yards, 1:05) UCF 14–7 4:32 SMU Ulysses Bentley IV 56-yard run (Blake Mazza kick) (3 plays, 69 yards, 1:01) TIE 14–14 0:12 SMU Tre Siggers 10-yard run (Blake Mazza kick) (9 plays, 62 yards, 3:17) SMU 21–14 2 8:16 SMU Blake Mazza 29-yard field goal (12 plays, 64 yards, 4:00) SMU 24–14 5:00 SMU Tre Siggers 16-yard run (Blake Mazza kick) (5 plays, 51 yards, 1:21) SMU 31–14 1:01 SMU Rashee Rice 8-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (11 plays, 85 yards, 2:41) SMU 38–14 3 12:47 UCF Mark-Antony Richards 58-yard run (Daniel Obarski kick) (5 plays, 75 yards, 2:13) SMU 38–21 3:23 SMU Reggie Roberson Jr. 24-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (7 plays, 88 yards, 2:13) SMU 45–21 4 14:22 SMU Tre Siggers 4-yard run (Blake Mazza kick) (9 plays, 35 yards, 3:38) SMU 52–21 12:10 UCF Mark-Antony Richards 4-yard run (Daniel Obarski kick) (7 plays, 75 yards, 2:12) SMU 52–28 8:17 SMU Blake Mazza 43-yard field goal (8 plays, 50 yards, 3:53) SMU 55–28

See also: 2021 UCF Knights football team

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU –7.0	62

Statistics	UCF	SMU
First downs	15	36
Total yards	333	631
Rushing yards	124	241
Passing yards	209	390
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	26:11	33:49

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UCF	Passing	Mikey Keene	18/35, 174 yards, TD
	Rushing	Mark-Antony Richards	8 rushes, 104 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Jaylon Robinson	2 receptions, 50 yards
SMU	Passing	Tanner Mordecai	37/54, 377 yards, 3 TD, INT
	Rushing	Ulysses Bentley IV	14 rushes, 97 yards, TD
	Receiving	Dylan Goffney	10 receptions, 88 yards

At No. 5 Cincinnati

Southern Methodist at Cincinnati

1 2 3 4 Total Mustangs 0 0 0 14 14 •No. 5 Bearcats 14 13 14 7 48 Date: November 20 Location: Nippert Stadium Cincinnati, OH Game start: 2:30 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:19 Game attendance: 37,978 Game weather: Temperature: 49 °F (9 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: SW 8 MPH Referee: Charles Lamertina TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Dan Orlovsky (analyst) and Kris Budden (sideline)

Scoring summary 1 12:54 CIN Tyler Scott 53-yard pass from Desmond Ridder (Alex Bales kick) (1 play, 53 yards, 0:07) CIN 7–0 5:32 CIN Jerome Ford 4-yard run (Alex Bales kick) (6 plays, 25 yards, 2:58) CIN 14–0 2 13:37 CIN Desmond Ridder 40-yard run (kick failed) (6 plays, 78 yards, 3:02) CIN 20–0 8:19 CIN Alec Pierce 17-yard pass from Desmond Ridder (Alex Bales kick) (8 plays, 71 yards, 3:40) CIN 27–0 3 10:59 CIN Desmond Ridder 5-yard pass from Jordan Jones (Alex Bales kick) (7 plays, 92 yards, 4:01) CIN 34–0 5:44 CIN Alec Pierce 17-yard pass from Desmond Ridder (Alex Bales kick) (8 plays, 42 yards, 3:59) CIN 41–0 4 11:06 CIN Jordan Jones 11-yard pass from Evan Prater (Alex Bales kick) (12 plays, 74 yards, 6:22) CIN 48–0 8:32 SMU Tre Siggers 2-yard run (Blake Mazza kick) (6 plays, 63 yards, 2:34) CIN 48–7 1:17 SMU Rashee Rice 3-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick) (9 plays, 46 yards, 3:43) CIN 48–14

See also: 2021 Cincinnati Bearcats football team

Pregame line	Over/under
CIN –9.5	65.5

Statistics	SMU	CIN
First downs	15	24
Total yards	199	544
Rushing yards	133	249
Passing yards	66	295
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	24:39	35:21

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
SMU	Passing	Tanner Mordecai	15/26, 66 yards, TD
	Rushing	Ulysses Bentley IV	11 rushes, 68 yards
	Receiving	Rashee Rice	7 receptions, 21 yards, TD
Cincinnati	Passing	Desmond Ridder	17/23, 274 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Jerome Ford	19 rushes, 82 yards, TD
	Receiving	Tre Tucker	7 receptions, 114 yards

Tulsa

Tulsa at Southern Methodist

1 2 3 4 Total •Golden Hurricane 0 14 14 6 34 Mustangs 10 7 0 14 31 Date: November 27 Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX Game start: 3:00 p.m. CST Game attendance: 17,158 TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst) and Dawn Davenport (sideline)

SMU in action against Tulsa

See also: 2021 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU –6.5	62.5

Statistics	TLSA	SMU
First downs	22	23
Total yards	374	405
Rushing yards	130	107
Passing yards	244	298
Turnovers	2	2
Time of possession	31:12	28:48

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Tulsa	Passing	Davis Brin	18/33, 244 yards, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Shamari Brooks	18 rushes, 71 yards
	Receiving	Josh Johnson	6 receptions, 117 yards, TD
SMU	Passing	Tanner Mordecai	26/46, 298 yards, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Tyler Lavine	8 rushes, 51 yards, TD
	Receiving	Roderick Daniels Jr.	3 receptions, 96 yards, TD

Rankings

Further information: 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	—	—	—	—	RV	24	23	21	19	23	RV	RV	—	—	—
Coaches	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	24	23	19	16	24	RV	RV	—	—	—
CFP	Not released									—	—	—	—	—	—	Not released

Weekly awards

• The American offensive player of the week

Tanner Mordecai (week 1 vs. Abilene Christian) ^[14]

Tanner Mordecai (week 3 vs. Louisiana Tech) ^[15]

Tanner Mordecai (week 8 vs. Tulane) ^[16]

Tanner Mordecai (week 11 vs. UCF) ^[17]

• The American special teams player of the week

Bryan Massey (week 5 vs. Navy) ^[18]

References

1. "TCU announces SMU's Dykes as new coach after campus arrival". Fort Worth Business Press. November 30, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
2. Adelson, Andrea (December 26, 2021). "Military, Fenway Bowls Canceled Because of COVID-19 Issues". ESPN. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
3. "Cincinnati Chosen as Favorite in American Preseason Media Poll". theAmerican.org. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
4. "2021 SMU Mustangs Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
5. "2021 Football Schedule". SMUMustangs.com. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
6. "2021 SMU Mustangs Football Depth Chart". Ourlads.com. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
7. "Abilene Christian Wildcats vs SMU Mustangs". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
8. "North Texas Mean Green vs SMU Mustangs". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
9. "SMU Mustangs vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
10. "SMU Mustangs vs TCU Horned Frogs". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
11. "South Florida Bulls vs SMU Mustangs". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
12. "SMU Mustangs vs Navy Midshipmen". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
13. "Tulane Green Wave vs. SMU Mustangs". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
14. "SMU's Mordecai, UCF's Davis, Memphis' Doyle Take Weekly Football Honors". American Athletic Conference. September 6, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
15. "SMU's Mordecai, Cincinnati's Pace, Memphis' Austin Take Weekly Football Awards". American Athletic Conference. September 20, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
16. "SMU's Mordecai, Houston's Mutin, Jones Take Weekly Football Honors". American Athletic Conference. October 25, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
17. "SMU's Mordecai, Tulsa's Wright, East Carolina's Daffer are Weekly Football Honorees". American Athletic Conference. November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
18. "Cincinnati's Ford, UCF's Bethune, SMU's Massey Earn Weekly Football Honors". American Athletic Conference. October 11, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2022.