List of Southern Conference football champions

Last updated

Southern Conference football champions
Conference Football Champions
Southern Conference logo.svg
Southern Conference logo
Sport College football
Conference Southern Conference
Played1933–present
Current championMercer University (1)
Most championshipsFurman (15)
TV partner(s) SportSouth
American Sports Network
Official website SoConSports.com Football

The list of Southern Conference football champions includes 20 distinct teams that have won the college football championship awarded by the Southern Conference since its creation. In total, forty-one teams have sponsored football in the conference. [1] Only Western Carolina has never won a Southern Conference football championship.

Contents

The conference was formed in 1921 when fourteen members from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) met in Atlanta, Georgia with the purpose of creating a workable number of conference games for each member. [2] The Southern Conference is notable for having spawned two other major conferences. In 1933, thirteen schools located south and west of the Appalachians (Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Sewanee, Tennessee, Tulane, and Vanderbilt) departed to form the Southeastern Conference. [3] Twenty years later, in 1953, seven schools (Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, South Carolina, and Wake Forest) withdrew to form the Atlantic Coast Conference. [4]

Currently the conference competes at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level in athletics, with the football teams playing in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). There are nine football playing members of the Southern Conference:Chattanooga, The Citadel, East Tennessee State, Furman, Mercer, Samford, Virginia Military Institute, Western Carolina, and Wofford. Southern Conference teams have been successful in the NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs, leading all conferences with an 87–49 (.640) record. [5] Current and former Southern Conference teams have won a total of 12 national championships. [5]

Champions by year

Undefeated teams claiming championships: 1922–1932

The Southern Conference does not officially recognize championships claimed from the 1922–32 seasons, [6] as there were upwards of 20 to 23 teams competing within the conference during this time. However, some championships are still cited and claimed by the individual schools.

YearUndefeated team(s) [7] Conference recordNotes
1922 Georgia Tech
North Carolina
Vanderbilt 		4–0
5–0
3–0		This was the inaugural Southern Conference football season with 20 teams participating. Vanderbilt was also a member of the SIAA until 1924, and defeated both Sewanee and Mercer. Vanderbilt tied Michigan 0-0 at the dedication of Dudley Field. Auburn upset Centre, previously undefeated in conference play. Vanderbilt end Lynn Bomar and Tech running back Red Barron were unanimous All-Southern and Walter Camp All-America second-team.
1923 Vanderbilt [8]
Washington and Lee 		3–0–1
4–0–1		 Florida upset Alabama, previously undefeated in conference play. Board of sportswriters awarded Vanderbilt the Champ Pickens Cup as Southern champions. [9]
1924 Alabama [8] 5–0Board of sportswriters awarded Alabama the Champ Pickens Cup as Southern champions. [8]
1925 Alabama [8]
Tulane 		7–0
5–0		Alabama wins national championship; [10] the first Southern team to win a Rose Bowl. Board of sportswriters awarded Alabama the Champ Pickens Cup as Southern champions. [8]
1926 Alabama [8] 8–0Alabama wins national championship. [10] Board of sportswriters awarded Alabama the Champ Pickens Cup as Southern champions.
1927 NC State 4–0NC State wins conference title with undefeated and untied record.
1928 Georgia Tech 7–0Georgia Tech finishes No. 3. [11]
1929 Tulane 6–0
1930 Alabama
Tulane 		8–0
5–0		Alabama wins national championship. [10]
1931 Tulane 8–0Tulane lost the Rose Bowl to USC.
1932 Auburn
LSU
Tennessee 		6–0–1
4–0
7–0–1		Thirteen teams leave after this season to form the Southeastern Conference. [3]

Champions: 1933–present

In 1978 Division I football was split into two classifications: the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly I-A) and Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA). The Southern Conference moved to the FCS in 1982 where its members compete for the NCAA Division I Football Championship.

YearChampion(s) [7] Conference recordNotes
1933 Duke 4–0Upset defending Southern champion Tennessee. Coached by Wallace Wade. Fred Crawford was a consensus All-American.
1934 Washington and Lee4–0
1935 Duke5–0
1936 Duke7–0The Citadel, Furman, George Washington, and Richmond join the Southern Conference. [12]
1937 Maryland 2–0Virginia leaves the Southern Conference before the start of the 1937 season. [12]
1938 Duke5–0
1939 Duke5–0
1940 Clemson 4–0
1941 Duke5–0
1942 William & Mary 5–0
1943 Duke4–0
1944 Duke4–0
1945 Duke4–0
1946 North Carolina4–0–1
1947 William & Mary 7–1
1948 Clemson5–0
1949 North Carolina5–0
1950 Washington and Lee6–0West Virginia joins the Southern Conference. [12]
1951 Maryland
VMI 		5–0
1952 Duke5–0Seven teams leave after this season to form the Atlantic Coast Conference. [4]
1953 West Virginia 4–0
1954 West Virginia3–0
1955 West Virginia4–0
1956 West Virginia5–0
1957 VMI6–0
1958 West Virginia4–0Washington and Lee leaves the Southern Conference. [12]
1959 VMI6–0–1
1960 VMI4–1
1961 The Citadel 5–1
1962 VMI6–0
1963 Virginia Tech5–0
1964 West Virginia5–0East Carolina joins the Southern Conference. [12]
1965 West Virginia4–0Virginia Tech leaves the Southern Conference. [12]
1966 East Carolina
William & Mary 		4–1–1
1967 West Virginia4–0–1
1968 Richmond 6–0West Virginia leaves the Southern Conference. [12]
1969 Davidson
Richmond		5–1
1970 William & Mary 3–1George Washington leaves the Southern Conference. [12]
1971 Richmond5–1Appalachian State joins the Southern Conference. [12]
1972 East Carolina 7–0
1973 East Carolina 7–0
1974 VMI5–1
1975 Richmond5–1
1976 East Carolina 4–1Chattanooga, Marshall, and Western Carolina join the Southern Conference. [12]
East Carolina and Richmond leave the Southern Conference. [12]
1977 Chattanooga
VMI		4–1William & Mary leaves the Southern Conference. [12]
1978 Furman
Chattanooga		4–1Division I splits into I-A and I-AA subdivisions. [13]
East Tennessee State joins the Southern Conference. [12]
1979 Chattanooga5–1
1980 Furman7–0
1981 Furman5–2
1982 Furman6–1Southern Conference drops from I-A to the I-AA classification in football. [2]
1983 Furman6–0–1
1984 Chattanooga5–1
1985 Furman6–0
1986 Appalachian State 6–0–1
1987 Appalachian State7–0
1988 Furman
Marshall 		6–1Furman wins NCAA Division I-AA national championship. [14]
1989 Furman 7–0
1990 Furman 6–1
1991 Appalachian State 6–1Georgia Southern joins the Southern Conference. [12]
1992 The Citadel 6–1 Marshall wins NCAA Division I-AA national championship. [15]
1993 Georgia Southern 7–1
1994 Marshall 7–1
1995 Appalachian State 8–0
1996 [16] Marshall 8–0Marshall wins NCAA Division I-AA national championship. [15]
1997 Georgia Southern 7–1Marshall leaves the Southern Conference. [12]
Wofford joins the Southern Conference. [12]
1998 Georgia Southern 8–0
1999 Furman
Georgia Southern
Appalachian State 		7–1Georgia Southern wins NCAA Division I-AA national championship. [17]
2000 Georgia Southern 7–1Georgia Southern wins NCAA Division I-AA national championship. [17]
2001 Georgia Southern
Furman 		7–1
2002 Georgia Southern 7–1
2003 Wofford 8–0 Elon joins the Southern Conference. [12]
VMI leaves the Southern Conference. [12]
2004 Furman
Georgia Southern 		6–1
2005 Appalachian State 6–1Appalachian State wins NCAA Division I-AA national championship. [18]
East Tennessee State leaves the Southern Conference. [12]
2006 Appalachian State 7–0Appalachian State wins NCAA Division I FCS national championship. [19]
2007 Wofford
Appalachian State 		5–2Appalachian State wins NCAA Division I FCS national championship. [20]
2008 Appalachian State 8–0 Samford joins the Southern Conference. [12]
2009 Appalachian State 8–0
2010 Appalachian State
Wofford 		7–1
2011 Georgia Southern 7–1
2012 Appalachian State
Georgia Southern
Wofford 		6–2
2013 Furman
Chattanooga
Samford 		6–2Appalachian State, Elon, and Georgia Southern leave the Southern Conference.
2014 Chattanooga 7–0 Mercer joins the Southern Conference. ETSU and VMI rejoin the Southern Conference. ETSU to resume football in 2015.
2015 Chattanooga
The Citadel 		6–1ETSU plays as FCS independent in first year of program return.
2016 The Citadel 8–0ETSU rejoins conference in football.
2017 Wofford 7–1
2018 East Tennessee State
Wofford
Furman 		6–2
2019 Wofford 7-1
2020 VMI 6-1Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the 2020 conference season was conducted from February 20 - April 17, 2021.
2021 East Tennessee State 7-1
2022 Samford 8–0
2023 Furman 7–1
2024 Mercer 7–1

Championships by team

Current members

SchoolChampionshipsYears
Furman151978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2013, 2018, 2023
VMI81951, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1974, 1977, 2020
Chattanooga71977, 1978, 1979, 1984, 2013, 2014, 2015
Wofford72003, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2019
The Citadel41961, 1992, 2015, 2016
East Tennessee State22018, 2021
Samford22013, 2022
Mercer12024
Western Carolina0

Former members

SchoolChampionshipsYears
Appalachian State121986, 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012
Duke101933, 1935, 1936, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1952
Georgia Southern101993, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2011, 2012
West Virginia81953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1964, 1965, 1967
East Carolina41966, 1972, 1973, 1976
Richmond41968, 1969, 1971, 1975
William & Mary41942, 1947, 1966, 1970
Marshall31988, 1994, 1996
Clemson21940, 1948
Maryland21937, 1951
North Carolina21946, 1949
Washington and Lee21934, 1950
Virginia Tech11963
Davidson11969
Elon0

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Conference</span> American collegiate athletic conference

The Southern Conference (SoCon) is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I. Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision. Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Established in 1921, the Southern Conference ranks as the fifth-oldest major college athletic conference in the United States, and either the third or fourth oldest in continuous operation, depending on definitions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mickey Matthews</span> American football coach (born 1953)

Michael Chester "Mickey" Matthews is a former American football coach. He served as the head football coach at James Madison University (JMU) from 1999 to 2013, compiling a record of 109–71. Matthews coached the 2004 James Madison Dukes football team to an NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Moore (American football, born 1939)</span> American football player and coach (born 1939)

Gerald Hundley Moore is a former American college football coach and player. He served as the head football coach at North Texas State University—now the University of North Texas—from 1979 to 1980, at Texas Tech University from 1981 to 1985, and at Appalachian State University from 1989 to 2012, compiling a career college football coaching record of 242–134–2. In his 24 years at Appalachian State, Moore posted a losing season only once. He led his 2005 Mountaineers team to the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship. This was the first national championship for any college football team in the state of North Carolina. Moore and the Mountaineers repeated as champions in 2006 and 2007, achieving the first "three-peat" in NCAA Division I FCS/I-AA history. Moore was forced out as head coach at the conclusion of the 2012 season. He was selected for inclusion into the Southern Conference Hall of Fame, and College Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Appalachian State Mountaineers</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of Appalachian State University

The Appalachian State Mountaineers are the athletic teams that represent Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, United States. The Mountaineers compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and were a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) between 1972 and 2014. On July 1, 2014, Appalachian State moved to the Sun Belt Conference. Appalachian State fields varsity teams in 17 sports, 7 for men and 10 for women. The football team competes in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), formerly I-A, as a result of the transition to the Sun Belt. The wrestling team remains in the Southern Conference because the Sun Belt does not sponsor the sport. In field hockey, another sport not sponsored by the Sun Belt, Appalachian State joined the Mid-American Conference for the 2017 season after playing two seasons as an independent following the demise of its former league, the Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference (NorPac). While rivalries exist with Sun Belt west division schools such as Troy and Louisiana, Appalachian State's main Sun Belt rivals are east division members Coastal Carolina and Georgia Southern, as well as rekindled rivalries from the days in FCS with recent Sun Belt additions Marshall and James Madison. Historically, prior to joining the Sun Belt, Western Carolina and Furman were prominent rivalries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armanti Edwards</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Armanti Fredrico Edwards Sr. is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL). He played college football as a quarterback for the Appalachian State Mountaineers from 2006 to 2009, and was named a 2024 inductee of College Football Hall of Fame. Edwards led Appalachian State to one of the biggest upsets in college football history, a 34–32 victory over then fifth-ranked Michigan in 2007. He was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft. In 2017, Edwards won the Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts. He last played for the CFL's Edmonton Elks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Appalachian State Mountaineers football</span> College football program for Appalachian State University

The Appalachian State Mountaineers football team is the intercollegiate American football team representing Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. The Mountaineers have competed in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and the Sun Belt Conference since 2014. Appalachian plays its home games in Kidd Brewer Stadium, named after former head coach Kidd Brewer, whose 1937 squad was unbeaten and unscored upon during the regular season, outscoring opponents 206–0.

The 2007 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team represented Appalachian State University in the 2007 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The team was coached by Jerry Moore and played their home games at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team</span> American college football season

The 2006 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team represented Appalachian State University in the 2006 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The team was coached by Jerry Moore and played their home games at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team</span> American college football season

The 2005 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team represented Appalachian State University as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) in the 2005 NCAA Division I-AA football season. The team was led by 17th-year head coach Jerry Moore and played their home games at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision</span> Top level of college football in the U.S.

The NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), formerly known as Division I-A, is the highest level of college football in the United States. The FBS consists of the largest schools in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). As of the 2024 season, there are 10 conferences and 134 schools in FBS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Carolina Catamounts</span> Athletic teams of Western Carolina University

The Western Carolina Catamounts are the intercollegiate athletics teams that represent Western Carolina University. The Catamounts compete in the NCAA Division I as members of the Southern Conference. Western Carolina fields 16 varsity sports teams. The men's and women's teams are called the Catamounts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team</span> American college football season

The 2008 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team represented Appalachian State University in the 2008 NCAA Division I FCS football season. It was the 79th season of play for the Mountaineers. The team was led by Jerry Moore, the 2006 Eddie Robinson Award winner for Coach of the Year. It was his 20th season as head coach. The Mountaineers played their home games at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina.

The Appalachian State Mountaineers men's basketball team is the college basketball team at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, United States. The Mountaineers compete in the Sun Belt Conference after having competed in the Southern Conference from 1972 to 2014. They are currently a Division I member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Appalachian State plays their home games at the Holmes Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Carolina Catamounts football</span> Football program representing Western Carolina University

The Western Carolina Catamounts football program represents Western Carolina University. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and are members of the Southern Conference. Since the school's first football team was fielded in 1931, the Catamounts have a record of 364–540–23, have made two postseason appearances, and have played in one national championship game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 NCAA Division I FCS football season</span> American college football season

The 2012 NCAA Division I FCS football season, part of college football in the United States, was organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. The season began on August 30, 2012, and concluded with the 2013 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game on January 5, 2013, at FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco, Texas. North Dakota State beat Sam Houston State for the second year in a row, 39-13, to repeat as champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Satterfield</span> American football player and coach (born 1972)

Fredric Scott Satterfield is an American college football coach and former player. He is the head football coach at the University of Cincinnati, a position he has held since the 2023 season. Satterfield served as the head football coach at Appalachian State University from 2013 to 2018 and the University of Louisville from 2019 to 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Appalachian State Mountaineers football statistical leaders</span>

The Appalachian State Mountaineers football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Appalachian State Mountaineers football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, kicking, and scoring. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Mountaineers represent Appalachian State University in the NCAA Division I FBS Sun Belt Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game</span> Postseason college football game

The 2006 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game was a postseason college football game between the UMass Minutemen and the Appalachian State Mountaineers. The game was played on December 15, 2006, at Finley Stadium, home field of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. This was the first season that the NCAA football classification formerly known as Division I-AA operated as the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The culminating game of the 2006 NCAA Division I FCS football season, it was won by Appalachian State, 28–17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Appalachian State–Marshall football rivalry</span> College football rivalry

The Appalachian State–Marshall football rivalry, known colloquially as The Old Mountain Feud, is a college rivalry between the Mountaineers of Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, and the Thundering Herd of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. The rivalry is significant for the competitiveness of the contests, as well as its place in contemporary Appalachian culture. Both campuses residing in the Appalachian Mountains, the two public universities both were once teacher's academies.

References

  1. ↑ Current member UNC Greensboro does not sponsor football.
  2. 1 2 Southern Conference (2008-06-30). "The History of the Southern Conference" . Retrieved 2008-07-25.
  3. 1 2 Southeastern Conference (2007). "About the Southeastern Conference (SEC)". Archived from the original on 2008-06-16. Retrieved 2008-07-23.
  4. 1 2 Atlantic Coast Conference (2008). "About the ACC". Archived from the original on 2012-10-14. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
  5. 1 2 Southern Conference (2008-12-01). "Southern Conference Football: SoCon Playoff History" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  6. ↑ Southern Conference. "Football Record Book" (PDF). 2005 Southern Conference Football. p. 144. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  7. 1 2 Southern Conference (2008-08-06). "Annual Leaders, History" (PDF). 2008 Southern Conference Football Media Guide. pp. 168–171. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Foot Ball Champions — Southern Intercollegiate Conference (Trophy). Paul W. Bryant Museum. April 21, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2023. Cup To Become The Property Of Any Eleven Winning It Three Times — Donated By Champ Pickens
  9. ↑ "Vanderbilt Is Named For Pickens Trophy". The Washington Post. December 2, 1923. ProQuest   149383922.
  10. 1 2 3 Alabama Athletics. "Traditions: National Championships". Archived from the original on 2008-10-22. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
  11. ↑ Georgia Tech Athletics. "Georgia Tech Titles". Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Southern Conference (2008-08-06). "About the Southern Conference" (PDF). 2008 Southern Conference Football Media Guide. p. 8. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  13. ↑ On August 1, 1973 the NCAA's membership was divided into three legislative and competitive divisions at the first special convention ever held. All major schools were reclassified as Division I and other schools were divided into Division II and Division III. Roman numerals were chosen to be used rather than the Arabic 1, 2, 3. In 1978, Division I members voted to create subclassifications I-A, I-AA, and I-AAA for the sport of football. The major difference (at this point) besides sponsorship is the amount of scholarships allotted. I-A gets 85, I-AA gets 63, and I-AAA is for institutions that do not sponsor football. Only NCAA Division I is divided into subclassifications and only in the sport of football.
  14. ↑ Willie T. Smith III (2008-11-14). "Furman to honor 1988 national champs". The Greenville News. Retrieved 2008-12-16.[ dead link ]
  15. 1 2 "NCAA History: FCS History". NCAA. Archived from the original on 2012-09-18. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  16. ↑ Overtime rules in college football were introduced in 1996, making ties impossible.
  17. 1 2 Georgia Southern University Athletics (2006-03-06). "Championship Tradition". Georgia Southern Eagles. Archived from the original on 2011-07-11. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  18. ↑ Appalachian Sports Information (2005-12-15). "Apps Win National Championship!". GoASU. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  19. ↑ Appalachian Sports Information (2006-12-15). "Richardson Goes For 4, Apps Get No. 2". GoASU. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  20. ↑ Appalachian Sports Information (2007-12-14). "Thrice is Nice: Apps Rout Delaware For Third-Straight National Title". GoASU. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.