2021 Conference USA football season
Sports season
The 2021 Conference USA football season was the 26th season of college football play for Conference USA (C-USA). The season started on August 28, 2021 and ended on December 23, 2021.[ 1] 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season .
Previous season
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , Old Dominion did not play the 2020 season, leaving the conference with 13 participating teams.[ 2] Marshall Thundering Herd won the East Division, while the UAB Blazers won the West Division. In the 2020 Conference USA Football Championship Game , the Blazers defeated the Thundering Herd 22–13.
Preseason
The Preseason Media Poll was released on July 19. Marshall was voted the favorite to win the East Division, while UAB was voted favorite for the West Division.[ 3]
East Division (votes for 1st):
West Division (votes for 1st):
Preseason player awards
Preseason player awards were announced on July 20.[ 4]
Offensive Player of the Year: Sincere McCormick (Junior, UTSA runningback)
Defensive Player of the Year: DeAngelo Malone (Senior, Western Kentucky defensive back)
Special Teams Player of the Year: Lucas Dean (Junior, UTSA punter)
Preseason awards
The following list contains C-USA players who were included on preseason watch lists for national awards.
Head coaches
Doc Holliday was released from the Head Coach position at Marshall after 11 seasons with the program. He was replaced by Charles Huff , who had previously been the running backs coach at Alabama .[ 23]
Will Hall took over as the new permanent Head Coach at Southern Miss , filling the vacancy left after Jay Hopson had resigned one game into the previous season.[ 24]
Note: All stats shown are before the start of the 2021 season.
Post-season changes
On November 10, Butch Davis announced that he would not return to FIU after the school declined to extend his contract.[ 25]
On November 26, Louisiana Tech announced that they were firing head coach Skip Holtz . Holtz was allowed to coach the final game of the season before being dismissed immediately after.[ 26] Texas Tech offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie would take over as the new head coach.[ 27]
Rankings
Pre
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Wk
Final
Charlotte
AP
C
RV
CFP
Not released
FIU
AP
C
CFP
Not released
Florida Atlantic
AP
C
CFP
Not released
Louisiana Tech
AP
RV
C
CFP
Not released
Marshall
AP
C
RV
RV
RV
CFP
Not released
Middle Tennessee
AP
C
CFP
Not released
North Texas
AP
C
CFP
Not released
Old Dominion
AP
C
CFP
Not released
Rice
AP
C
CFP
Not released
Southern Miss
AP
C
CFP
Not released
UAB
AP
RV
RV
RV
C
RV
RV
CFP
Not released
UTEP
AP
C
CFP
Not released
UTSA
AP
RV
RV
RV
24
23
16
15
15
15
RV
24
RV
C
RV
RV
RV
RV
RV
25
22
18
16
18
20
RV
25
RV
CFP
Not released
23
22
22
Western Kentucky
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
Schedule
Index to colors and formatting
C-USA member won
C-USA member lost
C-USA teams in bold
All times Eastern time.
Week 0
Week 1
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
September 1
7:30 p.m.
UAB No. 10 (FCS ) Jacksonville State
Cramton Bowl • Montgomery, AL
ESPN
W 31–0 9,122
September 2
7:00 p.m.
LIU
FIU Riccardo Silva Stadium • Miami, FL
ESPN3
W 48–10
September 2
8:00 p.m.
UT Martin
Western Kentucky Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY
ESPN+
W 59–21 16,236
September 3
7:00 p.m.
Old Dominion Wake Forest
Truist Field • Winston-Salem, NC
ACCN
L 10–42 25,673
September 3
7:00 p.m.
Duke
Charlotte Jerry Richardson Stadium • Charlotte, NC
CBSSN
W 31–28 14,125
September 4
2:00 p.m.
Rice Arkansas
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR
ESPN+ /SECN+
L 17–38 64,065
September 4
3:30 p.m.
Marshall Navy
Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium • Annapolis, MD
CBSSN
W 49–7 30,131
September 4
4:00 p.m.
Louisiana Tech Mississippi State
Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MS
ESPNU
L 34–35 44,669
September 4
7:00 p.m.
No. 13 (FCS ) Monmouth
Middle Tennessee Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN
ESPN3
W 50–15 15,017
September 4
7:30 p.m.
Florida Atlantic No. 13 Florida
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, FL
SECN
L 14–35 86,840
September 4
7:30 p.m.
Northwestern State
North Texas Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX
ESPN3
W 44–14 18,716
September 4
7:30 p.m.
UTSA Illinois
Memorial Stadium • Champaign, IL
BTN
W 37–30 33,906
September 4
8:00 p.m.
Southern Miss South Alabama
Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL
ESPN+
L 7–31 20,156
September 4
9:00 p.m.
Bethune–Cookman
UTEP
Sun Bowl • El Paso, TX
ESPN3
W 38–28 14,554
# Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time .
Week 2
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
September 10
9:30 p.m.
UTEP
Boise State
Albertsons Stadium • Boise, ID
FS1
L 13–54 35,518
September 11
11:30 a.m.
Western Kentucky
Army
Michie Stadium • West Point, NY
CBSSN
L 35–38 25,989
September 11
2:00 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
No. 19 Virginia Tech
Lane Stadium • Blacksburg, VA
ACCNX
L 14–35 53,680
September 11
3:30 p.m.
UAB
No. 2 Georgia
Sanford Stadium • Athens, GA
ESPN2
L 7–56 92,746
September 11
3:30 p.m.
Georgia Southern
Florida Atlantic
FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL
Stadium
W 38–6 17,736
September 11
6:00 p.m.
Gardner–Webb
Charlotte
Jerry Richardson Stadium • Charlotte, NC
ESPN3
W 38–10 12,274
September 11
6:00 p.m.
Lamar
UTSA
Alamodome • San Antonio, TX
ESPN+
W 54–0 16,229
September 11
6:30 p.m.
Houston
Rice
Rice Stadium • Houston, TX (rivalry )
CBSSN
L 7–44 26,253
September 11
6:30 p.m.
North Carolina Central
Marshall
Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV
ESPN+
W 44–10 24,521
September 11
7:00 p.m.
North Texas
SMU
Gerald J. Ford Stadium • Dallas, TX (Safeway Bowl )
ESPN+
L 12–35 29,121
September 11
7:00 p.m.
No. 13 (FCS ) Southeastern Louisiana
Louisiana Tech
Joe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LA
ESPN3
W 45–42 15,328
September 11
7:00 p.m.
Texas State
FIU
Riccardo Silva Stadium • Miami, FL
ESPN+
L 17–23 OT
September 11
7:00 p.m.
Hampton
Old Dominion
S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA
ESPN3
W 47–7 18,363
September 11
7:00 p.m.
Grambling State
Southern Miss
M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS
ESPN3
W 37–0 25,235
# Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time .
Week 3
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
September 18
3:30 p.m.
SMU
Louisiana Tech
Joe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LA
CBSSN
L 37–39 15,329
September 18
6:00 p.m.
East Carolina
Marshall
Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV (rivalry )
Facebook
L 38–42 24,833
September 18
6:00 p.m.
Fordham
Florida Atlantic
FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL
ESPN3
W 45–14 17,132
September 18
6:00 p.m.
Old Dominion
Liberty
Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA
ESPN3
L 17–45 18,471
September 18
6:00 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
UTSA
Alamodome • San Antonio, Texas
ESPN+
UTSA 27–13
16,202
September 18
7:00 p.m.
Charlotte
Georgia State
Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA
ESPN+
L 9–20 12,978
September 18
7:00 p.m.
FIU
Texas Tech
Jones AT&T Stadium • Lubbock, TX
ESPN+
L 21–54 50,118
September 18
7:00 p.m.
Troy
Southern Miss
M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, Mississippi
ESPN+
L 9–21 24,242
September 18
7:30 p.m.
UAB
North Texas
Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX
Stadium
UAB 40–6
17,731
September 18
8:00 p.m.
Rice
Texas
Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium • Austin, TX (rivalry )
LHN
L 0–58 91,978
# Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time .
Week 4
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
September 23
7:30 p.m.
Marshall
Appalachian State
Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC
ESPN
L 30–31 28,377
September 24
6:30 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
Charlotte
Jerry Richardson Stadium • Charlotte, NC
CBSSN
CHAR 42–39
11,076
September 25
12:00 p.m.
FIU
Central Michigan
Kelly/Shorts Stadium • Mount Pleasant, MI
ESPN+
L 27–31 30,255
September 25
3:30 p.m.
UTSA
Memphis
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TN
ESPNU
W 31–28 29,264
September 25
6:00 p.m.
Buffalo
Old Dominion
S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA
ESPN+
L 34–35
September 25
6:30 p.m.
Texas Southern
Rice
Rice Stadium • Houston, TX
ESPN3
W 48–34 18,326
September 25
7:00 p.m.
North Texas
Louisiana Tech
Joe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LA
Stadium
LT 24–17
15,488
September 25
7:30 p.m.
Southern Miss
No. 1 Alabama
Bryant–Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL
SECN
L 14–63 100,077
September 25
8:00 p.m.
Florida Atlantic
Air Force
Falcon Stadium • Colorado Springs, CO
FS2
L 7–31 19,763
September 25
8:00 p.m.
UAB
Tulane
Yulman Stadium • New Orleans, LA
ESPN+
W 28–21 16,023
September 25
8:00 p.m.
Indiana
Western Kentucky
Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY
CBSSN
L 31–33 25,171
September 25
9:00 p.m.
New Mexico
UTEP
Sun Bowl • El Paso, TX
ESPN+
W 20–13 15,069
# Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time .
Week 5
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
October 2
12:00 p.m.
Charlotte
Illinois
Memorial Stadium • Champaign, IL
BTN
L 14–24 30,559
October 2
3:30 p.m.
FIU
Florida Atlantic
FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL (Shula Bowl )
Stadium
FAU 58–21
24,726
October 2
6:00 p.m.
Louisiana Tech
No. 23 NC State
Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NC
ACCN /ESPN+
L 27–34 51,064
October 2
6:00 p.m.
UNLV
UTSA
Alamodome • San Antonio, TX
ESPN+
W 24–17 20,154
October 2
6:30 p.m.
Southern Miss
Rice
Rice Stadium • Houston, TX
ESPN3
RICE 24–19
16,031
October 2
7:00 p.m.
Liberty
UAB
Protective Stadium • Birmingham, AL
CBSSN
L 12–36 37,167
October 2
7:00 p.m.
Marshall
Middle Tennessee
Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN
Stadium
MTSU 34–28
15,806
October 2
7:30 p.m.
Western Kentucky
No. 17 Michigan State
Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI
BTN
L 31–48 70,075
October 2
9:00 p.m.
Old Dominion
UTEP
Sun Bowl • El Paso, TX
ESPN+
UTEP 28–21
11,025
# Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time .
Week 6
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
October 8
7:00 p.m.
Charlotte
FIU
Riccardo Silva Stadium • Miami, FL
CBSSN
CHAR 45–33
October 9
2:00 p.m.
Old Dominion
Marshall
Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV
Facebook
MU 20–13 OT
24,172
October 9
3:30 p.m.
Florida Atlantic
UAB
Protective Stadium • Birmingham, AL
Stadium
UAB 31–14
25,191
October 9
3:30 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
Liberty
Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA
ESPN3
L 13–41 19,935
October 9
4:00 p.m.
North Texas
Missouri
Faurot Field • Columbia, MO
SECN
L 35–48 46,985
October 9
7:00 p.m.
UTEP
Southern Miss
M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS
ESPN3
UTEP 26–13
26,049
October 9
7:00 p.m.
UTSA
Western Kentucky
Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY
Stadium
UTSA 52–46
15,243
# Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time .
Week 7
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
October 15
7:00 p.m.
Marshall
North Texas
Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX
CBSSN
MU 49–21
13,123
October 16
3:30 p.m.
UAB
Southern Miss
M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS
Stadium
UAB 34–0
21,514
October 16
3:30 p.m.
Western Kentucky
Old Dominion
S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA
ESPN3
WKU 43–20
16,418
October 16
6:00 p.m.
Rice
UTSA
Alamodome • San Antonio, TX
ESPN+
UTSA 45–0
27,515
October 16
9:00 p.m.
Louisiana Tech
UTEP
Sun Bowl • El Paso, TX
ESPN+
UTEP 19–3
18,468
# Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time .
Week 8
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
October 21
7:30 p.m.
Florida Atlantic
Charlotte
Jerry Richardson Stadium • Charlotte, NC
CBSSN
FAU 38-9
13,017
October 22
6:00 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
UConn
Rentschler Field • East Hartford, CT
CBSSN
W 44–13 10,698
October 23
3:30 p.m.
Rice
UAB
Protective Stadium • Birmingham, AL
ESPN+
RICE 30–24
24,845
October 23
4:00 p.m.
Liberty
North Texas
Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX
ESPN+
L 26–35 13,454
October 23
7:00 p.m.
No. 24 UTSA
Louisiana Tech
Joe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LA
Stadium
UTSA 45–16
18,314
October 23
7:00 p.m.
Western Kentucky
FIU
Riccardo Silva Stadium • Miami, Florida
ESPN+
WKU 34–19
# Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time .
Week 9
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
October 30
2:00 p.m.
North Texas
Rice
Rice Stadium • Houston, TX
ESPN3
UNT 30–24 OT
17,354
October 30
3:30 p.m.
FIU
Marshall
Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV
Stadium
MU 38–0
18,466
October 30
3:30 p.m.
Louisiana Tech
Old Dominion
S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA
CBSSN
ODU 23–20
13,309
October 30
3:30 p.m.
Southern Miss
Middle Tennessee
Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN
ESPN+
MTSU 35–10
10,721
October 30
4:00 p.m.
Charlotte
Western Kentucky
Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY
ESPN+
WKU 45–13
16,763
October 30
6:00 p.m.
UTEP
Florida Atlantic
FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL
ESPN+
FAU 28–25
16,432
# Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time .
Week 10
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
November 6
12:00 p.m.
Louisiana Tech
UAB
Protective Stadium • Birmingham, AL
CBSSN
UAB 52–38
21,261
November 6
3:00 p.m.
North Texas
Southern Miss
M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS
ESPN+
UNT 38–14
22,478
November 6
3:30 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
Western Kentucky
Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY (100 Miles of Hate )
Stadium
WKU 48–21
15,022
November 6
3:30 p.m.
Rice
Charlotte
Jerry Richardson Stadium • Charlotte, NC
ESPN+
CHAR 31–24 OT
16,050
November 6
6:00 p.m.
Marshall
Florida Atlantic
FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL
Facebook
MU 28–13
21,803
November 6
7:00 p.m.
Old Dominion
FIU
Riccardo Silva Stadium • Miami, FL
ESPN3
ODU 47–24
0
November 6
10:15 p.m.
No. 16 UTSA
UTEP
Sun Bowl • El Paso, TX
ESPN2
UTSA 44–23
31,658
# Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time .
Week 11
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
November 13
2:00 p.m.
Western Kentucky
Rice
Rice Stadium • Houston, TX
ESPN+
WKU 42–21
17,883
November 13
3:30 p.m.
Charlotte
Louisiana Tech
Joe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LA
Stadium
LT 42–32
14,068
November 13
3:30 p.m.
FIU
Middle Tennessee
Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN
ESPN3
MTSU 50–10
10,606
November 13
3:30 p.m.
Florida Atlantic
Old Dominion
S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA
ESPN+
ODU 30–16
13,634
November 13
3:30 p.m.
Southern Miss
No. 15 UTSA
Alamodome • San Antonio, TX
ESPN+
UTSA 27–17
30,105
November 13
3:30 p.m.
UAB
Marshall
Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV
CBSSN
UAB 21–14
19,329
November 13
4:00 p.m.
UTEP
North Texas
Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX
ESPN+
UNT 20–17
20,056
# Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time .
Week 12
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
November 19
8:00 p.m.
Southern Miss
Louisiana Tech
Joe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LA (Rivalry in Dixie )
CBSSN
USM 35–19
10,410
November 20
12:00 p.m.
Florida Atlantic
Western Kentucky
Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY
Stadium
WKU 52–17
10,477
November 20
3:30 p.m.
Marshall
Charlotte
Jerry Richardson Stadium • Charlotte, NC
Stadium
MU 49–28
13,211
November 20
3:30 p.m.
Old Dominion
Middle Tennessee
Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN
ESPN+
ODU 24–17
9,606
November 20
3:30 p.m.
UAB
No. 15 UTSA
Alamodome • San Antonio, TX
ESPN+
UTSA 34–31
35,147
November 20
4:00 p.m.
Rice
UTEP
Sun Bowl • El Paso, TX
ESPN+
UTEP 38–28
10,097
November 20
7:00 p.m.
North Texas
FIU
Riccardo Silva Stadium • Miami, FL
ESPN3
UNT 49–7
# Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time .
Week 13
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
2:00 p.m.
UTEP
UAB
Protective Stadium • Birmingham, AL
ESPN+
UAB 42–25
19,683
November 27
1:00 p.m.
Louisiana Tech
Rice
Rice Stadium • Houston, TX
ESPN+
RICE 35–31
November 27
2:00 p.m.
Charlotte
Old Dominion
S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA
ESPN+
ODU 56–34
15,874
November 27
2:00 p.m.
No. 15 UTSA
North Texas
Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX
ESPN+
UNT 45–23
16,933
November 27
3:00 p.m.
FIU
Southern Miss
M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS
ESPN+
USM 37–17
20,041
November 27
3:30 p.m.
Western Kentucky
Marshall
Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV
CBSSN
WKU 53–21
19,134
November 27
7:00 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
Florida Atlantic
FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL
Stadium
MTSU 27–17
15,127
# Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time .
Conference USA Championship Game
Date
Time
Visiting team
Home team
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
Ref.
December 3
7:00 p.m.
Western Kentucky
UTSA
Alamodome • San Antonio, TX
CBSSN
UTSA 49–41
41,148
# Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time .
Postseason
Bowl Games
Legend
C-USA Win
C-USA Loss
Bowl game
Date
Site
Television
Time (EST )
C-USA team
Opponent
Score
Attendance
Bahamas Bowl
December 17
Thomas Robinson Stadium • Nassau, Bahamas
ESPN
12:00 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
Toledo
W 31–24
13,596
Boca Raton Bowl
December 18
FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL
ESPN
11:00 a.m.
Western Kentucky
Appalachian State
W 59–38
15,429
New Mexico Bowl
December 18
University Stadium • Albuquerque, NM
ESPN
2:15 p.m.
UTEP
Fresno State
L 24–31
16,422
Independence Bowl
December 18
Independence Stadium • Shreveport, LA
ABC
3:30 p.m.
UAB
No. 13 BYU
W 31–28
26,276
New Orleans Bowl
December 18
Caesars Superdome • New Orleans, LA
ESPN
9:15 p.m.
Marshall
No. 23 Louisiana
L 21–36
21,642
Myrtle Beach Bowl
December 20
Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC
ESPN
2:30 p.m.
Old Dominion
Tulsa
L 17–30
6,557
Frisco Bowl
December 21
Toyota Stadium • Frisco, TX
ESPN
7:30 p.m.
UTSA
San Diego State
L 24–38
15,801
Frisco Football Classic
December 23
Toyota Stadium • Frisco, TX
ESPN
3:30 p.m.
North Texas
Miami (OH)
L 14–27
11,721
Conference USA records vs other conferences
2021–2022 records against non-conference foes:
Conference USA vs Power 5 matchups
This is a list of games C-USA 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 3
ACC
Old Dominion Wake Forest
Truist Field • Winston-Salem, NC
L 10–42
September 3
ACC
Duke
Charlotte Jerry Richardson Stadium • Charlotte, NC
W 31–28
September 4
SEC
Rice Arkansas
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium • Fayetteville, AR
L 17–38
September 4
SEC
Louisiana Tech Mississippi State
Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MS
L 34–35
September 4
SEC
Florida Atlantic No. 13 Florida
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, FL
L 14–35
September 4
Big Ten
UTSA Illinois
Memorial Stadium • Champaign, IL
W 37–30
September 11
ACC
Middle Tennessee No. 19 Virginia Tech
Lane Stadium • Blacksburg, VA
L 14–35
September 11
SEC
UAB No. 2 Georgia
Sanford Stadium • Athens, GA
L 7–56
September 18
Big 12
FIU Texas Tech
Jones AT&T Stadium • Lubbock, TX
L 21–54
September 18
Big 12
Rice Texas
Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium • Austin, TX
L 0–58
September 25
Big Ten
Indiana
Western Kentucky Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY
L 31–33
September 25
SEC
Southern Miss No. 1 Alabama
Bryant–Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL
L 14–63
October 2
Big Ten
Western Kentucky No. 17 Michigan State
Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI
L 31–48
October 2
ACC
Louisiana Tech No. 23 NC State
Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NC
L 27–34
October 2
Big Ten
Charlotte Illinois
Memorial Stadium • Champaign, IL
L 14–24
October 9
SEC
North Texas Missouri
Farout Field • Columbia, MO
L 35–48
Conference USA vs Group of Five matchups
The following games include C-USA teams competing against teams from the American , MAC , Mountain West , or Sun Belt .
Date
Conference
Visitor
Home
Site
Score
September 4
American
Marshall Navy
Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium • Annapolis, MD
W 49–7
September 4
Sun Belt
Southern Miss South Alabama
Hancock Whitney Stadium • Mobile, AL
L 7–31
September 10
Mountain West
UTEP Boise State
Albertsons Stadium • Boise, ID
L 13–54
September 11
Sun Belt
Georgia Southern
Florida Atlantic FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL
W 38–6
September 11
American
Houston
Rice Rice Stadium • Houston, TX
L 7–44
September 11
American
North Texas SMU
Gerald J. Ford Stadium • Dallas, TX
L 12–35
September 11
Sun Belt
Texas State
FIU Riccardo Silva Stadium • Miami, FL
L 17–23 OT
September 18
American
SMU
Louisiana Tech Joe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LA
L 37–39
September 18
American
East Carolina
Marshall Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV
L 38–42
September 18
Sun Belt
Charlotte Georgia State
Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA
L 9–20
September 18
Sun Belt
Troy
Southern Miss M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS
L 9–21
September 23
Sun Belt
Marshall Appalachian State
Kidd Brewer Stadium • Boone, NC
L 30–31
September 25
MAC
Buffalo
Old Dominion S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA
L 34–35
September 25
Mountain West
New Mexico
UTEP Sun Bowl • El Paso, TX
W 20–13
September 25
MAC
FIU Central Michigan
Kelly/Shorts Stadium • Mount Pleasant, MI
L 27–31
September 25
American
UAB Tulane
Yulman Stadium • New Orleans, LA
W 28–21
September 25
American
UTSA Memphis
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TN
W 31–28
September 25
Mountain West
Florida Atlantic Air Force
Falcon Stadium • Colorado Spring, CO
L 7–31
October 2
Mountain West
UNLV
UTSA Alamodome • San Antonio, TX
W 24–17
Conference USA vs FBS independents matchups
The following games include C-USA teams competing against FBS Independents , which includes Army , Liberty , New Mexico State , UConn , or UMass .
Date
Conference
Visitor
Home
Site
Score
August 28
Independent
UTEP New Mexico State
Aggie Memorial Stadium • Las Cruces, NM
W 30–3
September 11
Independent
Western Kentucky Army
Michie Stadium • West Point, NY
L 35–38
September 18
Independent
Old Dominion Liberty
Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA
L 17–45
October 2
Independent
Liberty
UAB Protective Stadium • Birmingham, AL
L 12–36
October 9
Independent
Middle Tennessee Liberty
Williams Stadium • Lynchburg, VA
L 13–41
October 22
Independent
Middle Tennessee UConn
Rentschler Field • East Hartford, CT
W 44–13
October 23
Independent
Liberty
North Texas Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX
L 26–35
Conference USA vs FCS matchups
Date
Visitor
Home
Site
Score
September 1
UAB Jacksonville State
Cramton Bowl • Montgomery, AL
W 31–0
September 2
LIU
FIU Riccardo Silva Stadium • Miami, FL
W 48–10
September 2
UT Martin
Western Kentucky Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY
W 59–21
September 4
Monmouth
Middle Tennessee Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN
W 50–15
September 4
Northwestern State
North Texas Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX
W 44–14
September 4
Bethune–Cookman
UTEP Sun Bowl • El Paso, TX
W 38–28
September 11
Gardner–Webb
Charlotte Jerry Richardson Stadium • Charlotte, NC
W 38–10
September 11
Lamar
UTSA Alamodome • San Antonio, TX
W 54–0
September 11
North Carolina Central
Marshall Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV
W 44–10
September 11
Southeastern Louisiana
Louisiana Tech Joe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LA
W 45–42
September 11
Hampton
Old Dominion S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA
W 47–7
September 11
Grambling State
Southern Miss M. M. Roberts Stadium • Hattiesburg, MS
W 37–0
September 18
Fordham
Florida Atlantic FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL
W 45–14
September 25
Texas Southern
Rice Rice Stadium • Houston, TX
W 48–34
Awards and honors
Player of the week honors
Conference USA Individual Awards
The following individuals received postseason honors as voted by the Conference USA football coaches at the end of the season.[ 42] [ 43]
Award
Player
School
Player of the Year
Bailey Zappe , QB, Grad.
Western Kentucky
Offensive Player of the Year
Sincere McCormick , RB, So.
UTSA
Defensive Player of the Year
DeAngelo Malone , DE, Sr.
Western Kentucky
Special Teams Player of the Year
Tommy Heatherly, P, Sr.
FIU
Freshman Player of the Year
Elijah Spencer, WR
Charlotte
Newcomer of the Year
Jerreth Sterns , WR, Jr.
Western Kentucky
Coach of the Year
Jeff Traylor
UTSA
All-Conference Teams
The following players were selected as part of the Conference USA's All-Conference Teams.[ 44]
Position
Player
Team
Second Team Offense
WR
Mitchell Tinsley
Western Kentucky
WR
Jason Brownlee
Southern Miss
WR
Tyrese Chambers
FIU
OL
Will Ulmer
Marshall
OL
Quantavious Leslie
Western Kentucky
OL
Ahofitu Maka
UTSA
OL
Manase Mose
North Texas
OL
Boe Wilson
Western Kentucky
TE
Gerrit Prince
UAB
QB
Frank Harris
UTSA
RB
DeWayne McBride
UAB
RB
DeAndre Torrey
North Texas
Second Team Defense
DE
Jordan Ferguson
Middle Tennessee
DL
Dion Novil
North Texas
DL
Jaylon Haynes
UTSA
DE
Alex Wright
UAB
LB
Breon Hayward
UTEP
LB
Tyler Grubbs
Louisiana Tech
LB
DQ Thomas
Middle Tennessee
DB
Steven Gilmore
Marshall
DB
Micah Abraham
Marshall
DB
Grayson Cash
UAB
DB
Richard Dames
FIU
Second Team Special Teams
K
Brayden Narveson
Western Kentucky
P
Lucas Dean
UTSA
LS
Caleb Cantrell
UTSA
KR
Jayden Harrison
Marshall
PR
Smoke Harris
Louisiana Tech
All-Americans
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
Second Team All-Americans
WR
Jerreth Sterns
Western Kentucky
AP , FWAA , USAT
RB
Sincere McCormick
UTSA
CBS, FWAA , USAT
Position
Player
School
Selector
Unanimous
Consensus
Third Team All-Americans
RB
Sincere McCormick
UTSA
AP
NFL Draft
The following list includes all C-USA players who were drafted in the 2022 NFL draft .
References
^ "2021 Football Schedule Released" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA . January 27, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021 .^ "Old Dominion Athletics Announces Cancellation of Fall Sports Season" . ODUsports.com . August 10, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2021 .^ "C-USA Announces Media's Predicted Order of Finish For 2021" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2021 .^ "C-USA Announces Preseason Awards" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 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 .^ "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 .^ "2021 Polynesian College Football Player Of The Year Award Watch List" . August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021 .^ "The 2021 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Announces 2021 Preseason Watch List" . August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021 .^ "Sources: Alabama assistant Charles Huff set to be hired as Marshall's new football coach" . ESPN . Retrieved July 17, 2021 .^ "Will Hall named 22nd Southern Miss head football coach" . wxxv25.com . WXXV-TV . December 7, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2021 .^ Vannini, Chris (November 15, 2021). "Butch Davis won't return to FIU in 2022 after 5 seasons: Source" . The Athletic . Retrieved November 15, 2021 . ^ Jeyarajah, Shehan (November 26, 2021). "Louisiana Tech fires Skip Holtz: Bulldogs opt for coaching change after nine years amid 3-8 season" . CBS Sports . Retrieved November 26, 2021 . ^ Olson, Max (November 30, 2021). "Louisiana Tech to hire Texas Tech offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie: Source" . The Athletic . Retrieved November 30, 2021 . ^ "Week Zero Players of the Week" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. August 30, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021 .^ "FB: September 6 Players of the Week" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021 .^ "FB: September 13 Players of the Week" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021 .^ "FB: Sept. 20 Players of the Week" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2021 .^ "FB: Sept. 27 Players of the Week" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021 .^ "FB: Oct. 4 Players of the Week" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021 .^ "FB: Oct. 11 Players of the Week" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021 .^ "FB: Oct. 18 Players of the Week" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021 .^ "FB: Oct. 25 Players of the Week" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021 .^ "FB: Nov. 1 Players of the Week" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. November 1, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021 .^ "FB: Nov. 8 Players of the Week" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021 .^ "FB: Nov. 15 Players of the Week" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021 .^ "FB: Nov. 22 Players of the Week" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021 .^ "FB: Nov. 29 Players of the Week" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. November 29, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021 .^ "C-USA Announces Football Players of the Year" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021 .^ "UTSA's Traylor Named Conference USA Coach of the Year" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021 .^ "FB: C-USA Announces 2021 All-Conference Teams" . conferenceusa.com . Conference USA. December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021 .
Current teams Future members Championships & awards Seasons
Conference seasons Inter-conference All-Americans
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