2021 Sun Belt Conference football season | |
---|---|
League | NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision |
Sport | Football |
Duration | September 2, 2021 – December 25, 2021 |
Number of teams | 10 |
2022 NFL Draft | |
Top draft pick | WR Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama |
Picked by | Dallas Cowboys, 88th overall |
Regular season | |
East champions | Appalachian State |
West champions | Louisiana |
SBC Championship Game | |
Champions | Louisiana |
Runners-up | Appalachian State |
Finals MVP | QB Levi Lewis, Louisiana |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
East Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appalachian State xy | 7 | – | 1 | 10 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia State | 6 | – | 2 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coastal Carolina | 6 | – | 2 | 11 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Troy | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia Southern | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
West Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 16 Louisiana xy$ | 8 | – | 0 | 13 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Texas State | 3 | – | 5 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louisiana–Monroe | 2 | – | 6 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Alabama | 2 | – | 6 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arkansas State | 1 | – | 7 | 2 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Championship: Louisiana 24, Appalachian State 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 2021 Sun Belt Conference football season was the 21st season of college football play for the Sun Belt Conference. The season began September 2, 2021 and concluded with its championship game on December 4, 2021. It was part of the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Sun Belt Conference consists of 10 football members split into two divisions. The conference released its schedule on March 1, 2021. [1]
The 2020 season saw Coastal Carolina win the East Division, while Louisiana won the West Division. The Conference Championship game was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the two teams were declared co-champions. [2] Coastal Carolina advanced to the Cure Bowl, where they lost in overtime to Liberty. [3] Louisiana advanced to the First Responder Bowl, where they defeated UTSA. [4]
Appalachian State, [5] Georgia Southern, [6] and Georgia State [7] also advanced to bowl games, with all winning their respective matches.
The Preseason Media Poll was released on July 20. Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State tied as the favorites for the East Division, while Louisiana was favored to win the West Division. [8]
East | ||
Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
---|---|---|
T1 | Coastal Carolina | 44 (6) |
T1 | Appalachian State | 44 (4) |
3 | Georgia State | 24 |
4 | Georgia Southern | 20 |
5 | Troy | 18 |
West | ||
Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
---|---|---|
1 | Louisiana | 49 (9) |
2 | Arkansas State | 38 (1) |
3 | South Alabama | 27 |
4 | Texas State | 25 |
5 | Louisiana–Monroe | 11 |
The following list contains players and coaches included on preseason watch lists for national awards.
Award | Head coach/Player | School | Position | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lott Trophy | Silas Kelly | Coastal Carolina | LB | [9] |
Dodd Trophy | Jamey Chadwell | Coastal Carolina | Head Coach | [10] |
Maxwell Award | Camerun Peoples | Appalachian State | RB | [11] |
Layne Hatcher | Arkansas State | QB | ||
Grayson McCall | Coastal Carolina | QB | ||
Levi Lewis | Louisiana | QB | ||
Jalen Tolbert | South Alabama | WR | ||
Bednarik Award | Demetrius Taylor | Appalachian State | DE | [12] |
Shaun Jolly | Appalachian State | CB | ||
Jeffrey Gunter | Coastal Carolina | DE | ||
Derrick Canteen | Georgia Southern | CB | ||
Bralen Trahan | Louisiana | S | ||
Carlton Martial | Troy | LB | ||
Davey O'Brien Award | Levi Lewis | Louisiana | QB | [13] |
Grayson McCall | Coastal Carolina | QB | ||
Doak Walker Award | JD King | Georgia Southern | RB | [14] |
Marcel Murray | Arkansas State | RB | ||
Camerun Peoples | Appalachian State | RB | ||
Fred Biletnikoff Award | Jaivon Heiligh | Coastal Carolina | WR | [15] |
Isaiah Likely | Coastal Carolina | TE | ||
Sam Pinckney | Georgia State | WR | ||
Jalen Tolbert | South Alabama | WR | ||
John Mackey Award | Isaiah Likely | Coastal Carolina | TE | [16] |
Roger Carter | Georgia State | TE | ||
Henry Pearson | Appalachian State | TE | ||
Johnny Lumpkin | Louisiana | TE | ||
Rimington Trophy | Baer Hunter | Appalachian State | C | [17] |
Shane Vallot | Louisiana | C | ||
Dylan Bradshaw | Troy | C | ||
Butkus Award | Carlton Martial | Troy | LB | [18] |
Outland Trophy | C. J. Brewer | Coastal Carolina | DT | [19] |
Trey Carter | Coastal Carolina | G | ||
Will Choloh | Troy | DT | ||
Shamarious Gilmore | Georgia State | G | ||
Baer Hunter | Appalachian State | C | ||
O'Cyrus Torrence | Louisiana | G | ||
Bronko Nagurski Trophy | C. J. Brewer | Coastal Carolina | DT | [20] |
Will Choloh | Troy | DT | ||
Carlton Martial | Troy | LB | ||
Demetrius Taylor | Appalachian State | DE | ||
Bralen Trahan | Louisiana | S | ||
Lou Groza Award | Massimo Biscardi | Coastal Carolina | K | [21] |
Paul Hornung Award | Khaleb Hood | Georgia Southern | WR | [22] |
Chris Smith | Louisiana | RB | ||
Caleb Spurlin | Appalachian State | DL | ||
Wuerffel Trophy | Thomas Hennigan | Appalachian State | WR | [23] |
Andre Harris Jr. | Arkansas State | OL | ||
Kennedy Roberts | Coastal Carolina | DL | ||
Levi Lewis | Louisiana | QB | ||
Keith Gallmon | South Alabama | DB | ||
Tyler Vitt | Texas State | QB | ||
Luke Whittemore | Troy | WR | ||
Walter Camp Award | Grayson McCall | Coastal Carolina | QB | [24] |
Demetrius Taylor | Appalachian State | DE | ||
Manning Award | Cornelious Brown | Georgia State | QB | [25] |
Layne Hatcher | Arkansas State | QB | ||
Levi Lewis | Louisiana | QB | ||
Grayson McCall | Coastal Carolina | QB | ||
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award | Ken Marks | Louisiana | OL | [26] |
Ray Guy Award | Anthony Beck II | Georgia Southern | P | [27] |
Charles Ouverson | Coastal Carolina | P | ||
Jack Brooks | South Alabama | P | ||
Rhys Byrns | Louisiana | P | ||
Ryan Hanson | Arkansas State | P | ||
Xavier Subotsch | Appalachian State | P | ||
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award | Jake Bentley | South Alabama | QB | [28] |
Chase Brice | Appalachian State | QB | ||
Levi Lewis | Louisiana | QB | ||
Grayson McCall | Coastal Carolina | QB |
|
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Prior to the season, Arkansas State, Louisiana–Monroe, and South Alabama saw coaching changes. At Arkansas State, Butch Jones was named head coach after previous head coach Blake Anderson left the team to take the head coach position with Utah State of the Mountain West Conference. [29] At Louisiana–Monroe, Terry Bowden took over as head coach after Matt Viator was fired by the school. [30] At South Alabama, Kane Wommack took over as head coach after previous head coach Steve Campbell was fired by the school. [31]
Team | Head coach | Previous Job | Years at school | Overall record | Sun Belt record | Sun Belt titles |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Appalachian State | Shawn Clark | Appalachian State (Off. Line Coach) | 2 | 10–3 (.769) | 6–2 (.750) | 0 |
Arkansas State | Butch Jones | Alabama (assistant coach) | 1 | 84–54 (.609) | 0–0 (–) | 0 |
Coastal Carolina | Jamey Chadwell | Coastal Carolina (Off. Coordinator) | 4 | 79–52 (.603) | 12–12 (.500) | 1 |
Georgia Southern | Chad Lunsford | Georgia Southern (assistant coach) | 5 | 27–18 (.600) | 17–13 (.567) | 0 |
Georgia State | Shawn Elliott | South Carolina (Off. Line Coach) | 5 | 22–25 (.468) | 14–18 (.438) | 0 |
Louisiana | Billy Napier | Arizona State (Off. Coordinator) | 4 | 28–11 (.718) | 19–5 (.792) | 1 |
Louisiana–Monroe | Terry Bowden | Clemson (Grad. Assistant) | 1 | 175–114–2 (.605) | 0–0 (–) | 0 |
South Alabama | Kane Wommack | Indiana (Def. Coordinator) | 1 | 0–0 (–) | 0–0 (–) | 0 |
Texas State | Jake Spavital | West Virginia (Off. Coordinator) | 3 | 5–19 (.208) | 4–12 (.250) | 0 |
Troy | Chip Lindsey | Auburn (Off. Coordinator) | 3 | 10–13 (.435) | 6–9 (.400) | 0 |
Pre | Wk 1 | Wk 2 | Wk 3 | Wk 4 | Wk 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8 | Wk 9 | Wk 10 | Wk 11 | Wk 12 | Wk 13 | Wk 14 | Final | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Appalachian State | AP | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | ||||||
C | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | |||||
CFP | Not released | ||||||||||||||||
Arkansas State | AP | ||||||||||||||||
C | |||||||||||||||||
CFP | Not released | ||||||||||||||||
Coastal Carolina | AP | 22 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 24 | 21 | 22 | RV | RV | |||
C | 24 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16т | 15 | 15 | 16 | 24 | 21 | 21 | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | |
CFP | Not released | ||||||||||||||||
Georgia Southern | AP | ||||||||||||||||
C | |||||||||||||||||
CFP | Not released | ||||||||||||||||
Georgia State | AP | ||||||||||||||||
C | |||||||||||||||||
CFP | Not released | ||||||||||||||||
Louisiana | AP | 23 | RV | RV | RV | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 16 | 16 | |||||
C | 23 | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | 25 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 17 | 18 | |
CFP | Not released | 24 | 23 | ||||||||||||||
Louisiana–Monroe | AP | ||||||||||||||||
C | |||||||||||||||||
CFP | Not released | ||||||||||||||||
South Alabama | AP | ||||||||||||||||
C | |||||||||||||||||
CFP | Not released | ||||||||||||||||
Texas State | AP | ||||||||||||||||
C | |||||||||||||||||
CFP | Not released | ||||||||||||||||
Troy | AP | ||||||||||||||||
C | |||||||||||||||||
CFP | Not released | ||||||||||||||||
Improvement in ranking | ||
Drop in ranking | ||
Not ranked previous week | ||
No change in ranking from previous week | ||
RV | Received votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll | |
т | Tied with team above or below also with this symbol | |
Index to colors and formatting |
---|
Sun Belt member won |
Sun Belt member lost |
Sun Belt teams in bold |
All times Central time.
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 10 | 6:30 p.m. | Kansas | No. 17 Coastal Carolina | Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC | ESPN2 | W 49–22 | 17,697 | |
September 11 | 2:30 p.m. | Georgia Southern | Florida Atlantic | FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL | Stadium | L 6–38 | 17,736 | |
September 11 | 3:00 p.m. | South Alabama | Bowling Green | Doyt Perry Stadium • Bowling Green, OH | ESPN+ | W 22–19 | 15,105 | |
September 11 | 6:00 p.m. | Appalachian State | No. 22 Miami (FL) | Hard Rock Stadium • Miami Gardens, FL | ESPNU | L 23–25 | 45,877 | |
September 11 | 6:00 p.m. | Nicholls | Louisiana | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | ESPN3 | W 27–24 | 25,417 | |
September 11 | 6:00 p.m. | Texas State | FIU | Riccardo Silva Stadium • Miami, FL | ESPN+ | W 23–17 OT | 0 | |
September 11 | 6:00 p.m. | Liberty | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL | ESPN+ | L 13–21 | 24,714 | |
September 11 | 6:00 p.m. | Memphis | Arkansas State | Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR (Paint Bucket Bowl) | ESPN+ | L 50–55 | 19,501 | |
September 11 | 6:30 p.m. | Georgia State | No. 24 North Carolina | Kenan Memorial Stadium • Chapel Hill, NC | ESPN3 | L 17–59 | 50,500 | |
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time. |
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 16 | 7:00 p.m. | Ohio | Louisiana | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | ESPN | W 49–14 | 17,709 | |
September 18 | 11:00 a.m. | No. 16 Coastal Carolina | Buffalo | UB Stadium • Buffalo, NY | ESPN2 | W 28–25 | 16,739 | |
September 18 | 2:30 p.m. | Elon | Appalachian State | Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC | ESPN+ | W 44–10 | 30,224 | |
September 18 | 3:00 p.m. | Georgia Southern | No. 20 Arkansas | Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR | SECN | L 10–45 | 66,311 | |
September 18 | 3:15 p.m. | Arkansas State | Washington | Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA | P12N | L 3–52 | 58,772 | |
September 18 | 6:00 p.m. | Charlotte | Georgia State | Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA | ESPN+ | W 20–9 | 12,978 | |
September 18 | 6:00 p.m. | Troy | Southern Miss | M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS | ESPN+ | W 21–9 | 24,242 | |
September 18 | 6:00 p.m. | Incarnate Word | Texas State | Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX | ESPN3 | L 34–42 | 16,107 | |
September 18 | 7:00 p.m. | Jackson State | Louisiana–Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA | ESPN3 | W 12–7 | 21,720 | |
September 18 | 7:00 p.m. | Alcorn State | South Alabama | Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL | ESPN3 | W 28–21 | 15,204 | |
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time. |
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 23 | 6:30 p.m. | Marshall | Appalachian State | Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC | ESPN | W 31–30 | 28,377 | |
September 25 | 12:00 p.m. | UMass | No. 17 Coastal Carolina | Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC | ESPN+ | W 53–3 | 15,261 | |
September 25 | 1:00 p.m. | Texas State | Eastern Michigan | Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, MI | ESPN+ | L 21–59 | 14,253 | |
September 25 | 3:00 p.m. | Georgia State | No. 23 Auburn | Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, AL | SECN | L 24–34 | 86,650 | |
September 25 | 4:00 p.m. | Arkansas State | Tulsa | H. A. Chapman Stadium • Tulsa, OK | ESPN+ | L 34–41 | 14,881 | |
September 25 | 5:00 p.m. | Louisiana | Georgia Southern | Allen E. Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA | ESPN+ | ULL 28–20 | 17,522 | |
September 25 | 7:00 p.m. | Troy | Louisiana–Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA | ESPN+ | ULM 29–16 | 12,766 | |
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time. |
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October 2 | 1:00 p.m. | Appalachian State | Georgia State | Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA | ESPN+ | APPST 45–16 | 14,258 | |
October 2 | 1:30 p.m. | Louisiana–Monroe | No. 16 Coastal Carolina | Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC | ESPN+ | CCU 59–6 | 18,674 | |
October 2 | 2:30 p.m. | Troy | South Carolina | Williams–Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC | SECN | L 14–23 | 60,866 | |
October 2 | 3:00 p.m. | Arkansas State | Georgia Southern | Allen E. Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA | ESPN+ | GASO 59–33 | 16,377 | |
October 2 | 7:00 p.m. | Louisiana | South Alabama | Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL | ESPN+ | ULL 20–18 | 16,764 | |
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time. |
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October 7 | 6:30 p.m. | No. 15 Coastal Carolina | Arkansas State | Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR | ESPNU | CCU 52–20 | 12,086 | |
October 9 | 6:00 p.m. | Georgia Southern | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL | ESPN+ | TROY 27–24 | 25,424 | |
October 9 | 6:00 p.m. | South Alabama | Texas State | Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX | ESPN+ | TXST 33–31 4OT | 16,223 | |
October 9 | 7:00 p.m. | Georgia State | Louisiana–Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA | ESPN3 | GSU 55–21 | 9,913 | |
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time. |
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October 12 | 6:30 p.m. | Appalachian State | Louisiana | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | ESPN2 | ULL 41–13 | 20,066 | |
October 14 | 6:30 p.m. | Georgia Southern | South Alabama | Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL | ESPNU | SOAL 41–14 | 16,089 | |
October 16 | 2:00 p.m. | Troy | Texas State | Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX | ESPN+ | TROY 31–28 | 15,083 | |
October 16 | 6:00 p.m. | Liberty | Louisiana–Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA | ESPN+ | W 31–28 | 11,546 | |
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time. |
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October 20 | 6:30 p.m. | No. 14 Coastal Carolina | Appalachian State | Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC | ESPN2 | APPST 30–27 | 31,061 | |
October 21 | 6:30 p.m. | Louisiana | Arkansas State | Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR | ESPNU | ULL 28–27 | 7,138 | |
October 23 | 1:00 p.m. | Texas State | Georgia State | Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA | ESPN+ | GSU 28–16 | 16,779 | |
October 23 | 6:00 p.m. | South Alabama | Louisiana–Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA | ESPN3 | ULM 41–31 | 11,723 | |
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time. |
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October 28 | 6:30 p.m. | Troy | No. 24 Coastal Carolina | Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC | ESPN2 | CCU 35–28 | 11,689 | |
October 30 | 11:00 a.m. | Texas State | Louisiana | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | ESPNU | ULL 45–0 | 28,794 | |
October 30 | 2:30 p.m. | Louisiana–Monroe | Appalachian State | Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC | ESPN+ | APPST 59–28 | 29,321 | |
October 30 | 4:00 p.m. | Arkansas State | South Alabama | Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL | ESPN+ | USA 31–13 | 15,043 | |
October 30 | 5:00 p.m. | Georgia State | Georgia Southern | Allen E. Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA (rivalry) | ESPN+ | GSU 21–14 | 17,843 | |
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time. |
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
November 4 | 6:30 p.m. | Georgia State | No. 24 Louisiana | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | ESPN | ULL 21–17 | 16,007 | |
November 6 | 1:00 p.m. | Appalachian State | Arkansas State | Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR | ESPN+ | APPST 48–14 | 9,762 | |
November 6 | 2:00 p.m. | Louisiana–Monroe | Texas State | Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX | ESPN+ | TXST 27–19 | 16,237 | |
November 6 | 2:30 p.m. | South Alabama | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL (Battle for the Belt) | ESPN+ | TROY 31–24 | 26,211 | |
November 6 | 5:00 p.m. | No. 21 Coastal Carolina | Georgia Southern | Allen E. Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA | ESPN+ | CCU 28–8 | 12,875 | |
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time. |
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
November 13 | 1:00 p.m. | Georgia State | No. 22 Coastal Carolina | Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC | ESPN+ | GSU 42–40 | 16,744 | |
November 13 | 1:30 p.m. | South Alabama | Appalachian State | Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC | ESPN+ | APPST 31–7 | 29,348 | |
November 13 | 2:00 p.m. | Georgia Southern | Texas State | Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX | ESPN+ | GASO 38–30 | 15,896 | |
November 13 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 24 Louisiana | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL | ESPN+ | ULL 35–21 | 24,738 | |
November 13 | 4:00 p.m. | Arkansas State | Louisiana–Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA | ESPN+ | ARKST 27–24 | 12,010 | |
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time. |
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
November 20 | 12:00 p.m. | Texas State | Coastal Carolina | Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC | ESPN+ | CCU 35–21 | 10,386 | |
November 20 | 1:00 p.m. | Arkansas State | Georgia State | Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA | ESPN3 | GSU 28–20 | 14,273 | |
November 20 | 2:30 p.m. | Appalachian State | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL | ESPN+ | APPST 45–7 | 18,523 | |
November 20 | 3:00 p.m. | No. 14 BYU | Georgia Southern | Allen E. Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA | ESPN+ | L 17–34 | 20,862 | |
November 20 | 3:00 p.m. | No. 22 Louisiana | Liberty | Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA | ESPNU | W 42–14 | 15,564 | |
November 20 | 6:30 p.m. | South Alabama | Tennessee | Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN | ESPNU | L 14–60 | 75,203 | |
November 20 | 8:00 p.m. | Louisiana–Monroe | LSU | Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA | ESPN2 | L 14–27 | 92,790 | |
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time. |
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
November 26 | 2:30 p.m. | Coastal Carolina | South Alabama | Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL | ESPN+ | CCU 27–21 OT | 13,242 | |
November 27 | 1:00 p.m. | Texas State | Arkansas State | Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR | ESPN+ | TXST 24–22 | 3,116 | |
November 27 | 1:00 p.m. | Troy | Georgia State | Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA | ESPN+ | GSU 37–10 | 13,875 | |
November 27 | 1:30 p.m. | Georgia Southern | Appalachian State | Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC (rivalry) | ESPN+ | APPST 27–3 | 28,005 | |
November 27 | 3:00 p.m. | Louisiana–Monroe | No. 23 Louisiana | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA (Battle on the Bayou) | ESPNU | ULL 21–16 | 18,447 | |
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time. |
Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
December 4 | 2:30 p.m. | Appalachian State | Louisiana | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | ESPN | ULL 24–16 | 31,014 | |
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Central Time. |
Legend | |
---|---|
Sun Belt win | |
Sun Belt loss |
Bowl game | Date | Site | Television | Time (CST) | Sun Belt team | Opponent | Score | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cure Bowl | December 17 | Exploria Stadium • Orlando, FL | ESPN2 | 5:00 p.m. | Coastal Carolina | Northern Illinois | W 47–41 | 9,784 |
Boca Raton Bowl | December 18 | FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL | ESPN | 10:00 a.m. | Appalachian State | Western Kentucky | L 38–59 | 15,429 |
New Orleans Bowl | December 18 | Caesars Superdome • New Orleans, LA | ESPN | 8:15 p.m. | Louisiana | Marshall | W 36–21 | 21,642 |
Camellia Bowl | December 25 | Cramton Bowl • Montgomery, AL | ESPN | 1:30 p.m. | Georgia State | Ball State | W 51–20 | N/A |
2021–2022 records against non-conference foes:
Power 5 Conferences | Record |
---|---|
ACC | 0–2 |
Big Ten | 0–0 |
Big 12 | 1–2 |
Pac-12 | 0–1 |
BYU/Notre Dame | 0–1 |
SEC | 0–6 |
Power 5 Total | 1–12 |
Group of 5 Conferences | Record |
American | 1–2 |
C–USA | 5–1 |
Independents (Excluding BYU and Notre Dame) | 3–2 |
MAC | 3–1 |
Mountain West | 0–0 |
Group of 5 Total | 12–6 |
FCS Opponents | Record |
Football Championship Subdivision | 8–1 |
Total Non-Conference Record | 21–19 |
This is a list of games the Sun Belt has scheduled versus power conference teams (ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac-12, BYU, Notre Dame and SEC). All rankings are from the current AP Poll at the time of the game.
Date | Conference | Visitor | Home | Site | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 4 | SEC | Louisiana–Monroe | Kentucky | Kroger Field • Lexington, KY | L 10–45 |
September 4 | Big 12 | No. 23 Louisiana | No. 21 Texas | Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium • Austin, TX | L 18–38 |
September 4 | Big 12 | Baylor | Texas State | Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX | L 20–29 |
September 10 | Big 12 | Kansas | No. 17 Coastal Carolina | Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC | W 49–22 |
September 11 | ACC | Appalachian State | No. 22 Miami (FL) | Hard Rock Stadium • Miami Gardens, FL | L 23–25 |
September 11 | ACC | Georgia State | No. 24 North Carolina | Kenan Memorial Stadium • Chapel Hill, NC | L 17–59 |
September 18 | SEC | Georgia Southern | No. 20 Arkansas | Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR | L 10–45 |
September 18 | Pac-12 | Arkansas State | Washington | Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA | L 3–52 |
September 25 | SEC | Georgia State | No. 23 Auburn | Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, AL | L 24–34 |
October 2 | SEC | Troy | South Carolina | Williams–Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC | L 14–23 |
November 20 | SEC | Louisiana-Monroe | LSU | Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA | L 14–27 |
November 20 | SEC | South Alabama | Tennessee | Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN | L 14–60 |
November 20 | Independent | No. 14 BYU | Georgia Southern | Allen E. Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA | L 17–34 |
The following games include Sun Belt teams competing against teams from the American, C-USA, MAC, or Mountain West.
Date | Conference | Visitor | Home | Site | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 2 | American | East Carolina | Appalachian State | Bank of America Stadium • Charlotte, NC | W 33–19 |
September 4 | C-USA | Southern Miss | South Alabama | Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL | W 31–7 |
September 11 | C-USA | Georgia Southern | Florida Atlantic | FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL | L 6–38 |
September 11 | MAC | South Alabama | Bowling Green | Doyt Perry Stadium • Bowling Green, OH | W 22–19 |
September 11 | C-USA | Texas State | FIU | Riccardo Silva Stadium • Miami, FL | W 23–17 OT |
September 11 | American | Memphis | Arkansas State | Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR | L 50–55 |
September 16 | MAC | Ohio | Louisiana | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | W 49–14 |
September 18 | MAC | No. 16 Coastal Carolina | Buffalo | UB Stadium • Buffalo, NY | W 28–25 |
September 18 | C-USA | Charlotte | Georgia State | Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA | W 20–9 |
September 18 | C-USA | Troy | Southern Miss | M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS | W 21–9 |
September 23 | C-USA | Marshall | Appalachian State | Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC | W 31–30 |
September 25 | American | Arkansas State | Tulsa | H. A. Chapman Stadium • Tulsa, OK | L 34–41 |
September 25 | MAC | Texas State | Eastern Michigan | Rynearson Stadium • Ypsilanti, MI | L 21–59 |
The following games include Sun Belt teams competing against FBS Independents, which includes Army, Liberty, New Mexico State, UConn, or UMass.
Date | Conference | Visitor | Home | Site | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 4 | Independent | Army | Georgia State | Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA | L 10–43 |
September 11 | Independent | Liberty | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL | L 13–21 |
September 25 | Independent | UMass | No. 17 Coastal Carolina | Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC | W 53–3 |
October 16 | Independent | Liberty | Louisiana–Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA | W 31-28 |
November 20 | Independent | No. 22 Louisiana | Liberty | Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA | W 42–14 |
Date | Visitor | Home | Site | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|
September 2 | The Citadel | No. 22 Coastal Carolina | Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC | W 52–14 |
September 4 | Gardner–Webb | Georgia Southern | Allen E. Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA | W 30–25 |
September 4 | Central Arkansas | Arkansas State | Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR | W 40–21 |
September 4 | Southern | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL | W 55–3 |
September 11 | Nicholls | Louisiana | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | W 27–24 |
September 18 | Elon | Appalachian State | Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC | W 44–10 |
September 18 | Incarnate Word | Texas State | Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX | L 34–42 |
September 18 | Jackson State | Louisiana–Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA | W 12–7 |
September 18 | Alcorn State | South Alabama | Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL | W 28–21 |
Week | Offensive | Defensive | Special Teams | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Team | Position | Player | Team | Position | Player | Team | Position | |||||
Week 1 (September 6) [35] | Corey Rucker | Arkansas State | WR | Zion Williams | Troy | CB | Britton Williams | Georgia Southern | K | ||||
Week 2 (September 13) [36] | Reese White | Coastal Carolina | RB | Josaiah Stewart | Coastal Carolina | DL | Diego Guajardo | South Alabama | K | ||||
Week 3 (September 20) [37] | Montrell Johnson | Louisiana | RB | Javon Solomon | Troy | DL | Calum Sutherland | Louisiana–Monroe | K | ||||
Week 4 (September 27) [38] | Nate Noel | Appalachian State | RB | Ja'Cquez Williams | Louisiana–Monroe | LB | Alan Lamar | Arkansas State | RS | ||||
Week 5 (October 4) [39] | Logan Wright | Georgia Southern | RB | D'Marco Jackson | Appalachian State | LB | Chris Smith | Louisiana | RS | ||||
Week 6 (October 11) [40] | Isaiah Likely | Coastal Carolina | TE | Sione Tupou | Texas State | LB | Brooks Buce | Troy | K | ||||
Week 7 (October 18) [41] | Jake Bentley | South Alabama | QB | Carlton Martial | Troy | LB | Calum Sutherland (2) | Louisiana–Monroe | K | ||||
Week 8 (October 25) [42] | Chandler Rogers | Louisiana–Monroe | QB | Demetrius Taylor | Appalachian State | DL | Chandler Staton | Appalachian State | K | ||||
Week 9 (November 1) [43] | Grayson McCall | Coastal Carolina | QB | Trey Cobb | Appalachian State | LB | Alan Lamar (2) | Arkansas State | RS | ||||
Week 10 (November 8) [44] | Tyler Vitt | Texas State | QB | Steven Jones Jr. | Appalachian State | DB | Alex Spillum | Coastal Carolina | S | ||||
Week 11 (November 15) [45] | Darren Grainger | Georgia State | QB | Eldrick Robinson II | Georgia Southern | LB | Blake Grupe | Arkansas State | K | ||||
Week 12 (November 22) [46] | Grayson McCall (2) | Coastal Carolina | QB | Chauncey Manac | Louisiana | LB | Dalen Cambre | Louisiana | WR | ||||
Week 13 (November 29) [47] | Shermari Jones | Coastal Carolina | RB | Silas Kelly | Coastal Carolina | LB | Jalen Virgil | Appalachian State | RS | ||||
The following individuals received postseason honors as voted by the Sun Belt Conference football coaches at the end of the season. [48]
Award | Player | School |
---|---|---|
Player of the Year | Grayson McCall | Coastal Carolina |
Offensive Player of the Year | Jalen Tolbert | South Alabama |
Defensive Player of the Year | D'Marco Jackson | Appalachian State |
Freshman Player of the Year | Montrell Johnson Jr. | Louisiana |
Newcomer of the Year | Chase Brice | Appalachian State |
Coach of the Year | Billy Napier | Louisiana |
The following players were selected as part of the Sun Belt's All-Conference Teams. [48]
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The 2021 College Football All-America Teams are composed of the following College Football All-American first teams chosen by the following selector organizations: Associated Press (AP), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Walter Camp Foundation (WCFF), The Sporting News (TSN), Sports Illustrated (SI), USA Today (USAT) ESPN, CBS Sports (CBS), FOX Sports (FOX) College Football News (CFN), Bleacher Report (BR), Scout.com, Phil Steele (PS), SB Nation (SB), Athlon Sports, Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Yahoo! Sports (Yahoo!).
Currently, the NCAA compiles consensus all-America teams in the sports of Division I-FBS football and Division I men's basketball using a point system computed from All-America teams named by coaches associations or media sources. The system consists of three points for a first-team honor, two points for second-team honor, and one point for third-team honor. Honorable mention and fourth team or lower recognitions are not accorded any points. Football consensus teams are compiled by position and the player accumulating the most points at each position is named first team consensus all-American. Currently, the NCAA recognizes All-Americans selected by the AP, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, and the WCFF to determine Consensus and Unanimous All-Americans. Any player named to the First Team by all five of the NCAA-recognized selectors is deemed a Unanimous All-American.
Position | Player | School | Selector | Unanimous | Consensus |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
First Team All-Americans | |||||
DB | Steven Jones Jr. | Appalachian State | FWAA | ||
Position | Player | School | Selector | Unanimous | Consensus |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Second Team All-Americans | |||||
OL | Max Mitchell | Louisiana | CBS, TSN, USAT, WCFF | ||
TE | Isaiah Likely | Coastal Carolina | FWAA, WCFF | ||
DB | Steven Jones Jr. | Appalachian State | WCFF | ||
Position | Player | School | Selector | Unanimous | Consensus |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Third Team All-Americans | |||||
OL | Max Mitchell | Louisiana | AP | ||
The following list includes all Sun Belt players who were drafted in the 2022 NFL draft.
Player | Position | School | Draft Round | Round Pick | Overall Pick | Team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jalen Tolbert | WR | South Alabama | 3 | 24 | 88 | Dallas Cowboys |
Max Mitchell | OT | Louisiana | 4 | 6 | 111 | New York Jets |
Percy Butler | SS | Louisiana | 4 | 8 | 113 | Washington Commanders |
Isaiah Likely | TE | Coastal Carolina | 4 | 34 | 139 | Baltimore Ravens |
D'Marco Jackson | LB | Appalachian State | 5 | 18 | 161 | New Orleans Saints |
Jeffrey Gunter | DE | Coastal Carolina | 7 | 31 | 252 | Cincinnati Bengals |
The 2012 Sun Belt Conference football season was the 12th season of college football play for the Sun Belt Conference. The season began August 30, 2012 and concluded January 6, 2013 as part of the 2012-13 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Ten teams participated in the competition: Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Louisiana–Lafayette, Louisiana–Monroe, Middle Tennessee State, North Texas, South Alabama, Troy and Western Kentucky.
The 2013 Sun Belt Conference football season was the 13th college football season for the Sun Belt Conference. During the 2013 season, Sun Belt football consisted of eight members: Arkansas State, Georgia State, Louisiana–Lafayette, Louisiana–Monroe, South Alabama, Texas State, Troy, and Western Kentucky.
The 2014 Sun Belt Conference football season was the 14th college football season for the Sun Belt Conference. During the 2014 season, eleven schools competed in Sun Belt football: Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Idaho, Louisiana–Lafayette, Louisiana–Monroe, New Mexico State, South Alabama, Texas State, and Troy.
The 2015 Sun Belt Conference football season was the 15th college football season for the Sun Belt Conference. During the 2015 season, eleven schools competed in Sun Belt football: Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Idaho, Louisiana–Lafayette, Louisiana–Monroe, New Mexico State, South Alabama, Texas State and Troy.
The 2019 Sun Belt Conference football season was the 18th season of college football play for the Sun Belt Conference. It was played from August 29, 2019 until January 2020. The Sun Belt Conference consists of 10 members in two divisions. It was part of the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season.
The 2020 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team represented the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Ragin' Cajuns played their home games at Cajun Field in Lafayette, Louisiana, and competed in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference. They were led by third-year head coach Billy Napier. The Cajuns began the season with an away matchup against a preseason top-25 Iowa State and concluded their regular season at conference and in-state rival Louisiana–Monroe.
The 2021 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team represented Coastal Carolina University as a member of the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Jamey Chadwell, the Chanticleers compiled an overall record of 11–2 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, tying for second place in the Sun Belt's East Division. Coastal Carolina was invited to the Cure Bowl, where the Chanticleers defeated Northern Illinois. Coastal Carolina played home games at Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina.
The 2021 Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football team represented the University of Louisiana at Monroe in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Warhawks played their home games at Malone Stadium in Monroe, Louisiana, and competed in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference. They were led by first-year head coach Terry Bowden.
The 2021 Georgia Southern Eagles football team represented Georgia Southern University during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Eagles played their home games at Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, Georgia, and competed in the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference. They were led by third-year head coach Chad Lunsford until he was dismissed mid-season following his third consecutive loss within the first four games of the season. Cornerbacks coach Kevin Whitley was tapped to serve as interim coach until a new head coach was hired by the university. Whitley was in his third year as cornerbacks coach and previously played for Georgia Southern as a four year starter from 1988 to 1991, helping to win two national titles for the Eagles. On November 2, 2021, Clay Helton, former head coach of the USC Trojans, was hired to become the next head coach for Georgia Southern, starting in the 2022 season.
The 2021 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team represented Appalachian State University during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Mountaineers were led by second-year head coach Shawn Clark. Appalachian State played their home games at Kidd Brewer Stadium on the school's Boone, North Carolina, campus, and competed as a member of the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference.
The 2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team represented the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Ragin' Cajuns played their home games at Cajun Field in Lafayette, Louisiana, and compete in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference. They were led by fourth-year head coach Billy Napier. The Cajuns began the season with an away matchup against Big 12's Texas and concluded their regular season at conference and in-state rival Louisiana–Monroe.
The 2021 Georgia State Panthers football team represented Georgia State University (GSU) during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Panthers were led by fifth-year head coach Shawn Elliott. This was the Panthers' ninth season in the Sun Belt Conference, fourth within the East Division, and 12th since the inception of the program. They played their home games at Center Parc Stadium.
The 2021 South Alabama Jaguars football team represented the University of South Alabama during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Jaguars played their home games at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. They competed in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference.
The 2021 Texas State Bobcats football team represented Texas State University as a member of the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bobcats were led by third-year head coach Jake Spavital and played their home games at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, Texas.
The 2021 Troy Trojans football team represented Troy University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Trojans played their home games at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama, and competed in the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference.
The 2021 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team represented Arkansas State University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Red Wolves played their home games at Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and competed in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference.
The 2022 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns baseball team represented the University of Louisiana at Lafayette during the 2022 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Ragin' Cajuns played their home games at M. L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park and were led by third–year head coach Matt Deggs. They were members of the Sun Belt Conference.
The 2022 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers baseball team represented Coastal Carolina University during the 2022 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Chanticleers played their home games at Springs Brooks Stadium and were led by twenty-seventh year head coach Gary Gilmore. They were members of the Sun Belt Conference.
The 2022 Sun Belt Conference football season is the 22nd season of college football play for the Sun Belt Conference (SBC). The season began on September 2, 2022, and will conclude with its conference championship game on December 3, 2022. It is part of the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The conference expanded to 14 football members for the 2022 season with the addition of 4 new member schools. The 14 members were divided into two divisions for play. The conference released its schedule on March 1, 2022.
The 2023 Sun Belt Conference football season was the 23rd season of college football play for the Sun Belt Conference (SBC). The season began on August 31, 2023 and ended with its conference championship game on December 2, 2023. It was part of the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The conference consists of 14 member schools split into two divisions. The conference released its full season schedule on February 24, 2023.