Sports season
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] Cure Bowl , where they lost in overtime to Liberty .[ 3] First Responder Bowl , where they defeated UTSA .[ 4]
Appalachian State ,[ 5] Georgia Southern ,[ 6] Georgia State [ 7]
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.
Preseason All-Conference teams [ edit ] Offensive Player of the Year: Grayson McCall (Redshirt Sophomore, Coastal Carolina quarterback)
Defensive Player of the Year: Carlton Martial (Junior, Troy linebacker)
Position
Player
Team
Second Team Offense
QB
Levi Lewis
Louisiana
RB
JD King
Georgia Southern
RB
Daetrich Harrington
Appalachian State
OL
Trey Carter
Coastal Carolina
OL
Max Mitchell
Louisiana
OL
Dylan Bradshaw
Troy
OL
Willie Lampkin
Coastal Carolina
OL
Aaron Dowdell
Georgia Southern
TE
Roger Carter
Georgia State
WR
Thomas Hennigan
Appalachian State
WR
Marcell Barbee
Texas State
WR
Cornelius McCoy
Georgia State
Second Team Defense
DL
Zi'Yon Hill
Louisiana
DL
Hardrick Willis
Georgia State
DL
Dontae Wilson
Georgia State
DL
Nico Ezidore
Texas State
LB
Lorenzo McCaskill
Louisiana
LB
Teddy Gallagher
Coastal Carolina
LB
Brendan Harrington
Appalachian State
DB
Antavious Lane
Georgia State
DB
Quavian White
Georgia State
DB
Keith Gallmon
South Alabama
DB
Eric Garror
Louisiana
Second Team Special Teams
K
Massimo Biscardi
Coastal Carolina
P
Anthony Beck II
Georgia Southern
RS
Khaleb Hood
Georgia Southern
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] Terry Bowden took over as head coach after Matt Viator was fired by the school.[ 30] 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
On September 26, Georgia Southern announced that they had fired Chad Lunsford . Georgia Southern named cornerbacks coach Kevin Whitley as the interim head coach.[ 32] USC head coach Clay Helton was later announced as the permanent replacement for Lunsford beginning in 2022.
On November 21, Troy announced that they had fired Chip Lindsey . Troy named defensive coordinator Brandon Hall as the interim head coach.[ 33] Kentucky defensive coordinator Jon Sumrall as the new permanent head coach.[ 34] Post-season changes [ edit ]
Pre
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
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
Legend
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 2
6:00 p.m.
The Citadel
No. 22 Coastal Carolina
Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC
ESPN+
W 52–14 16,236
September 2
6:30 p.m.
East Carolina
Appalachian State Bank of America Stadium • Charlotte, NC (Duke's Mayo Classic )
ESPNU
W 33–19 36,752
September 4
11:00 a.m.
Army
Georgia State Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA
ESPNU
L 10–43 18,280
September 4
11:00 a.m.
Louisiana–Monroe Kentucky
Kroger Field • Lexington, KY
SECN
L 10–45 47,693
September 4
3:30 p.m.
No. 23 Louisiana
No. 21 Texas
Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium • Austin, TX
FOX
L 18–38 91,113
September 4
5:00 p.m.
Gardner–Webb
Georgia Southern Allen E. Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA
ESPN3
W 30–25 15,089
September 4
6:00 p.m.
No. 14 (FCS ) Central Arkansas
Arkansas State Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR
ESPN3
W 40–21 15,662
September 4
6:00 p.m.
Baylor
Texas State Bobcat Stadium • San Marcos, TX
ESPN+
L 20–29 26,573
September 4
6:00 p.m.
Southern
Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL
ESPN3
W 55–3 22,399
September 4
7:00 p.m.
Southern Miss
South Alabama Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL
ESPN+
W 31–7 20,156
# 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 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 .
[ edit ]
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
Sun Belt records vs other conferences [ edit ] 2021–2022 records against non-conference foes:
Sun Belt vs Power 5 matchups [ edit ] 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
Sun Belt vs Group of Five matchups [ edit ] 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
Sun Belt vs FBS independents matchups [ edit ] 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
Sun Belt vs FCS matchups [ edit ]
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
Player of the week honors [ edit ] Sun Belt Individual Awards [ edit ] The following individuals received postseason honors as voted by the Sun Belt Conference football coaches at the end of the season.[ 48]
All-Conference Teams [ edit ] The following players were selected as part of the Sun Belt's All-Conference Teams.[ 48]
Position
Player
Team
Second Team Offense
WR
Malik Williams
Appalachian State
WR
Thomas Hennigan
Appalachian State
WR
Corey Rucker
Arkansas State
OL
Malik Sumter
Georgia State
OL
Shane Vallot
Louisiana
OL
Dylan Bradshaw
Troy
OL
Willie Lampkin
Coastal Carolina
OL
Austin Stidham
Troy
TE
Roger Carter
Georgia State
QB
Levi Lewis
Louisiana
RB
Montrell Johnson Jr.
Louisiana
RB
Camerun Peoples
Appalachian State
Second Team Defense
DL
Jeffrey Gunter
Coastal Carolina
DL
Kivon Bennett
Arkansas State
DL
Zi'Yon Hill
Louisiana
DL
CJ Wright
Georgia Southern
DL
Will Choloh
Troy
LB
Chauncey Manac
Louisiana
LB
Trey Cobb
Appalachian State
LB
Lorenzo McCaskill
Louisiana
DB
Keith Gallmon Jr.
South Alabama
DB
Percy Butler
Louisiana
DB
Kaiden Smith
Appalachian State
DB
Eric Garror
Louisiana
Second Team Specialists
K
Blake Grupe
Arkansas State
P
Anthony Beck II
Georgia Southern
AP
Alan Lamar
Arkansas State
KRS
Jalen Virgil
Appalachian State
Position
Player
Team
Third Team Offense
WR
Tez Johnson
Troy
WR
TeVailance Hunt
Arkansas State
WR
Boogie Knight
Louisiana–Monroe
OL
Anderson Hardy
Appalachian State
OL
Trey Carter
Coastal Carolina
OL
Dalton Cooper
Texas State
OL
Pat Bartlett
Georgia State
OL
Khalil Crowder
Georgia Southern
TE
Lincoln Sefcik
South Alabama
QB
Chase Brice
Appalachian State
RB
Chris Smith
Louisiana
RB
Tucker Gregg
Georgia State
Third Team Defense
DL
Tayland Humphrey
Louisiana
DL
Richard Jibunor
Troy
DL
Dontae Wilson
Georgia State
DL
Andre Jones Jr.
Louisiana
LB
Nick Hampton
Appalachian State
LB
Eldrick Robinson II
Georgia Southern
LB
Blake Carroll
Georgia State
DB
Quavian White
Georgia State
DB
Anthony Wilson
Georgia Southern
DB
Alex Spillum
Coastal Carolina
DB
Mekhi Garner
Louisiana
DB
TJ Harris
Troy
Third Team Specialists
K
Calum Sutherland
Louisiana–Monroe
P
Ryan Hanson
Arkansas State
AP
Caleb Spurlin
Appalachian State
KRS
Jaivon Heiligh
Coastal Carolina
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 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 .
^ "Sun Belt Conference Unveils 2021 Football Schedule" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. March 1, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2021 .^ "Sun Belt Conference Championship Football Game Canceled" . sunbeltsport.org . Sun Belt Conference. December 17, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2021 .^ "Liberty Takes Down Coastal Carolina in Wild Cure Bowl Win" Sports Illustrated . Retrieved 2021-12-03.^ "Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns win another nail-biter, beating UTSA 31-24 at First Responder Bowl" Daily Advertiser . Retrieved 2021-12-03.^ "Camerun Peoples Sets Bowl Rushing Mark, App State Tops North Texas in Myrtle Beach Bowl" Sports Illustrated . Retrieved 2021-12-03.^ "Georgia Southern 38, Louisiana Tech 3: Bulldogs' win streak ends at New Orleans Bowl" The New Star . Retrieved 2021-12-03.^ "Quad Brown leads Georgia State to LendingTree Bowl win" Journal-Constitution . Retrieved 2021-12-03.^ "Sun Belt Announces Football Preseason Awards & Poll" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021 .^ "Lott IMPACT Trophy announces 2021 watch list" . June 15, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021 .^ "2021 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List Announced" . July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021 .^ "2021 Maxwell Award Watch List – Maxwell Football Club" . July 19, 2021.^ "2021 Bednarik Award Watch List – Maxwell Football Club" . July 19, 2021.^ "Davey O'Brien Award Announces 30-Player Preseason Watch List" . July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021 .^ "2021 Doak Walker Award Candidates" . www.smu.eduaccess-date=July 21, 2021 . July 21, 2021.^ "2021 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List Released" . July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021 .^ "2021 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List Released" . July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021 .^ "Rimington Trophy Press Release" . July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021 .^ "2020 Butkus Award Preseason Watch List Released" . July 26, 2021. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved July 26, 2021 .^ "2021 Outland Trophy Award Watchlist Unveiled" . July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021 .^ "2021 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watchlist Unveiled" . July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021 .^ "Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Announces 2021 Preseason Watch List" . July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021 .^ "57 PLAYERS NAMED TO 2021 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST" . July 29, 2021. Archived from the original on July 29, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021 .^ "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2021 Watch List" . July 29, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021 .^ "Walter Camp Foundation Announces 2021 Player of the Year Preseason Watch List" . July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021 .^ "Allstate Sugar Bowl announces Manning Award Watch List" . August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021 .^ "Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award announces 2021 Preseason Watch List" (PDF) . August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021 .^ "Ray Guy Award announces 2021 Preseason Watch List" . August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021 .^ "The 2021 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Announces 2021 Preseason Watch List" . August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021 .^ Low, Chris (December 12, 2020). "Butch Jones credits Alabama experience for helping him land Arkansas State head-coaching job" . ESPN.com . ESPN. Retrieved May 8, 2021 . ^ Rittenberg, Adam; Schlabach, Mark (December 23, 2020). "Terry Bowden named Louisiana-Monroe football coach" . ESPN.com . ESPN. Retrieved May 8, 2021 . ^ Stephenson, Creg (January 7, 2021). "South Alabama football coach Kane Wommack completes on-field staff" . al.com . Advance Local Media, LLC. Retrieved May 8, 2021 . ^ "Georgia Southern Makes a Leadership Change Within the Football Program" . Georgia Southern Eagles . September 26, 2021. Archived from the original on September 26, 2021.^ Thamel, Pete (November 21, 2021). "Sources: Troy expected to fire coach Chip Lindsey" . Yahoo Sports . Retrieved November 21, 2021 .^ Stephenson, Creg (December 3, 2021). "Troy hires Jon Sumrall as head football coach" . al.com . Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved December 4, 2021 . ^ "Arkansas State's Rucker, Troy's Williams & Georgia Southern's Williams Earn Sun Belt Weekly Honors" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021 .^ "Coastal Carolina's White & Stewart & South Alabama's Guajardo Claim Sun Belt Weekly Awards" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021 .^ "Louisiana's Johnson, Troy's Solomon & ULM's Sutherland Earn Sun Belt Weekly Nods" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2021 .^ "App State's Noel, ULM's Williams & Arkansas State's Lamar Claim Sun Belt Weekly Honors" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021 .^ "Georgia Southern's Wright, App State's Jackson & Louisiana's Smith Capture Sun Belt Weekly Awards" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021 .^ "Coastal Carolina's Likely, Texas State's Tupou & Troy's Buce Earn Sun Belt Weekly Accolades" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021 .^ "South Alabama's Bentley, Troy's Martial & ULM's Sutherland Reap Sun Belt Weekly Honors" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021 .^ "ULM's Rogers, App State's Taylor & Staton Capture Sun Belt Weekly Accolades" . sunbeltsports.com . Sun Belt Conference. October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021 .^ "Coastal Carolina's McCall, App State's Cobb & Arkansas State's Lamar Earn Sun Belt Weekly Nods" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. November 1, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021 .^ "Texas State's Vitt, App State's Jones & Coastal Carolina's Spillum Claim Sun Belt Weekly Awards" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021 .^ "Georgia State's Grainger, Georgia Southern's Robinson II & Arkansas State's Grupe Earn Sun Belt Weekly Accolades" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021 .^ "Coastal Carolina's McCall & Louisiana's Manac & Cambre Claim Sun Belt Weekly Honors" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021 .^ "Coastal Carolina's Jones & Kelly & App State's Virgil Earn Sun Belt Weekly Accolades" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. November 29, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021 .^ a b "Sun Belt Announces 2021 Football Postseason Awards & All-Conference Teams" . sunbeltsports.org . Sun Belt Conference. December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021 .
East Division West Division Championships & awards Seasons
Conference seasons Inter-conference All-Americans
