American college football season
The 2021 SMU Mustangs football team represented Southern Methodist University during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The Mustangs played their home games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in University Park, Texas , a separate city within the city limits of Dallas , competed as members of the American Athletic Conference (AAC). The Mustangs were led by fourth-year coach Sonny Dykes —on November 29, it was announced that Dykes would leave the program to become the head coach at TCU .[ 1] He finished at SMU with an overall record of 30–18.
After finishing their regular season with an 8–4 record, the Mustangs accepted a bid to play in the Fenway Bowl , where they were due to face the Virginia Cavaliers . On December 26, the Cavaliers withdrew from the game, due to COVID-19 issues; the bowl was subsequently canceled.[ 2]
Preseason
The American Athletic Conference preseason media poll was released at the virtual media day held August 4, 2021.[ 3] Cincinnati , who finished the 2020 season ranked No. 8 nationally, was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the 2021 preseason media poll.
Media poll
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Cincinnati
262 (22)
2
UCF
241 (2)
3
SMU
188
4
Houston
181
5
Memphis
168
6
Tulsa
153
7
Tulane
132
T–8
East Carolina
85
T–8
Navy
85
10
Temple
46
11
South Florida
43
Schedule
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 4 6:00 p.m. Abilene Christian * ESPN+ W 56–923,373
September 11 6:00 p.m. North Texas * ESPN+ W 35–1229,121
September 18 2:30 p.m. at Louisiana Tech * CBSSN W 39–3715,326
September 25 11:00 a.m. at TCU * FS1 W 42–3446,672
October 2 3:00 p.m. South Florida Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX ESPNU W 41–1723,355
October 9 2:30 p.m. at Navy No. 24 CBSSN W 31–2428,563
6:30 p.m. Tulane No. 21 Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX ESPN W 55–2622,843
October 30 6:00 p.m. at Houston No. 19 ESPN2 L 37–4425,676
November 6 11:00 a.m. at Memphis ESPNU L 25–2830,191
November 13 11:00 a.m. UCF Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX ESPNU W 55–2823,175
November 20 2:30 p.m. at No. 5 Cincinnati ESPN L 14–4837,978
November 27 3:00 p.m. Tulsa Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX ESPN2 L 31–3417,158
10:00 a.m. vs. Virginia * ESPN Canceled
[ 4] [ 5]
Personnel
Depth chart
†
As of September 17, 2021
Defense
[ 6]
Offense
[ 6]
WR
Reggie Roberson Jr.
Jordan Kerley
⋅
WR
Rashee Rice
Roderick Daniels Jr.
⋅
RB
Ulysses Bentley IV
Tre Siggers
Tyler Lavine
Game summaries
Abilene Christian
Abilene Christian at Southern Methodist
1
2 3 4 Total
Wildcats
0
3 6 0
9
• Mustangs
7
28 14 7
56
Date: September 4Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX Game start: 6:06 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 21 minutesGame attendance: 23,373Game weather: Temperature: 95 °F (35 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SE 7 MPH Referee: Tim RichTV announcers (ESPN+ ): Ted Emrich (play–by–play), Stanford Routt (analyst) and Morgan Uber (sideline)
Pregame line
Over/under
SMU –32
66[ 7]
Statistics
ACU
SMU
First downs
14
27
Total yards
332
490
Rushing yards
119
171
Passing yards
213
319
Turnovers
4
1
Time of possession
28:22
31:38
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Abilene Christian
Passing
Stone Earle
13/28, 160 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Peyton Mansell
2 carries, 33 yards
Receiving
Kobe Clark
6 receptions, 89 yards, TD
SMU
Passing
Tanner Mordecai
24/30, 317 yards, 7 TD
Rushing
Ulysses Bentley IV
10 carries, 48 yards
Receiving
Danny Gray
4 receptions, 72 yards, 2 TD
North Texas
North Texas at Southern Methodist
1
2 3 4 Total
Mean Green
3
3 6 0
12
• Mustangs
0
7 14 14
35
Date: September 11Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX Game start: 6:05 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 57 minutesGame attendance: 29,121Game weather: Temperature: 88 °F (31 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: E 10 MPH Referee: Jon NoliTV announcers (ESPN+ ): Ted Emrich (play–by–play), Stanford Routt (analyst) and Morgan Uber (sideline)
Pregame line
Over/under
SMU –22.5
75[ 8]
Statistics
UNT
SMU
First downs
23
20
Total yards
506
536
Rushing yards
122
225
Passing yards
384
311
Turnovers
5
4
Time of possession
36:06
23:54
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
North Texas
Passing
Jace Ruder
32/51, 366 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing
DeAndre Torrey
16 carries, 71 yards
Receiving
Roderic Burns
12 receptions, 141 yards
SMU
Passing
Tanner Mordecai
21/33, 311 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Ulysses Bentley IV
10 carries, 141 yards, TD
Receiving
Rashee Rice
4 receptions, 99 yards, TD
At Louisiana Tech
Southern Methodist at Louisiana Tech
1
2 3 4 Total
• Mustangs
7
9 17 6
39
Bulldogs
7
7 14 9
37
Date: September 18Location: Joe Aillet Stadium Ruston, LA Game start: 2:32 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 49 minutesGame attendance: 15,326Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C) • Weather: CloudyReferee: Patrick FoyTV announcers (CBS Sports Network ): Chick Hernandez (play–by–play) and Ben Leber (analyst)
Pregame line
Over/under
SMU –12.5
66[ 9]
Statistics
SMU
LT
First downs
31
24
Total yards
578
483
Rushing yards
183
132
Passing yards
395
351
Turnovers
0
1
Time of possession
32:37
27:23
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
SMU
Passing
Tanner Mordecai
36/48, 395 yards, 5 TD
Rushing
Ulysses Bentley IV
13 carries, 61 yards
Receiving
Grant Calcaterra
7 receptions, 103 yards
Louisiana Tech
Passing
Austin Kendall
24/40, 351 yards, 4 TD, INT
Rushing
Marcus Williams Jr.
13 carries, 65 yards
Receiving
Tre Harris
5 receptions, 102 yards, 2 TD
At TCU
Southern Methodist at Texas Christian
1
2 3 4 Total
• Mustangs
14
7 14 7
42
Horned Frogs
14
7 6 7
34
Pregame line
Over/under
TCU –9.5
65.5[ 10]
Statistics
SMU
TCU
First downs
29
20
Total yards
595
446
Rushing yards
350
170
Passing yards
245
276
Turnovers
3
1
Time of possession
33:52
26:08
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
SMU
Passing
Tanner Mordecai
17/28, 245 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT
Rushing
Ulysses Bentley IV
20 rushes, 153 yards, TD
Receiving
Danny Gray
4 receptions, 130 yards, TD
TCU
Passing
Max Duggan
16/28, 276 yards, 3 TD
Rushing
Zach Evans
15 rushes, 113 yards
Receiving
Taye Barber
5 receptions, 114 yards, TD
South Florida
South Florida at Southern Methodist
1
2 3 4 Total
Bulls
0
3 14 0
17
• Mustangs
10
7 10 14
41
Pregame line
Over/under
SMU –21
68.5[ 11]
Statistics
USF
SMU
First downs
19
30
Total yards
336
463
Rushing yards
113
162
Passing yards
223
301
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
27:11
32:49
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
South Florida
Passing
Timmy McClain
14/22, 223 yards
Rushing
Brian Battie
7 rushes, 46 yards
Receiving
Jimmy Horn Jr.
5 receptions, 102 yards
SMU
Passing
Tanner Mordecai
29/42, 301 yards, 4 TD, INT
Rushing
Tre Siggers
20 rushes, 86 yards, TD
Receiving
Danny Gray
7 receptions, 74 yards, 2 TD
At Navy
Southern Methodist at Navy
1
2 3 4 Total
• No. 24 Mustangs
7
14 3 7
31
Midshipmen
7
14 3 0
24
Pregame line
Over/under
SMU –13.5
56[ 12]
Statistics
SMU
NAVY
First downs
22
12
Total yards
404
241
Rushing yards
80
177
Passing yards
324
64
Turnovers
2
0
Time of possession
27:41
32:19
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
SMU
Passing
Tanner Mordecai
30/40, 324 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Tre Siggers
14 rushes, 49 yards, TD
Receiving
Reggie Roberson Jr.
5 receptions, 100 yards, TD
Navy
Passing
Tai Lavatai
4/7, 64 yards, TD
Rushing
Tai Lavatai
24 rushes, 53 yards
Receiving
Kai Puailoa-Rojas
1 reception, 37 yards, TD
Tulane
Tulane at Southern Methodist
1
2 3 4 Total
Green Wave
7
0 12 7
26
• No. 21 Mustangs
17
14 7 17
55
Date: Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX Game start: 6:30 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3:24Game attendance: 22,843Game weather: Temperature: 79 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NE 6 MPH Referee: Hank JonesTV announcers (ESPN ): Matt Barrie (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst) & Harry Lyles Jr. (sideline)
Pregame line
Over/under
SMU -14.5
70.5[ 13]
Statistics
TULN
SMU
First downs
18
31
Total yards
428
612
Rushing yards
194
174
Passing yards
234
438
Turnovers
1
0
Time of possession
25:37
34:23
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Tulane
Passing
Michael Pratt
11/22, 234 yards, 3 TD
Rushing
Tyjae Spears
14 rushes, 85 yards, TD
Receiving
Jha'Quan Jackson
2 receptions, 93 yards
SMU
Passing
Tanner Mordecai
30/42, 427 yards, 3 TD
Rushing
Tre Siggers
15 rushes, 81 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Danny Gray
8 receptions, 140 yards
At Houston
Southern Methodist at Houston
1
2 3 4 Total
No. 19 Mustangs
7
13 14 3
37
• Cougars
17
6 7 14
44
Date: October 30Location: TDECU Stadium Houston, TX Game start: 6:00 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3:37Game attendance: 25,676Game weather: Temperature: 74 °F (23 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 6 MPH Referee: Charles LamertinaTV announcers (ESPN2 ): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), Alyssa Lang (sideline)
Pregame line
Over/under
SMU –1.0
62
Statistics
SMU
HOU
First downs
18
23
Total yards
355
489
Rushing yards
50
77
Passing yards
305
412
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
24:22
35:23
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
SMU
Passing
Tanner Mordecai
24/37, 305 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing
Tre Siggers
13 rushes, 44 yards, TD
Receiving
Danny Gray
5 receptions, 73 yards
Houston
Passing
Clayton Tune
27/37, 412 yards, 4 TD
Rushing
Ta'Zhawn Henry
21 rushes, 49 yards
Receiving
Nathaniel Dell
9 receptions, 165 yards, 3 TD
At Memphis
Southern Methodist at Memphis
1
2 3 4 Total
Mustangs
0
10 0 15
25
• Tigers
0
7 14 7
28
Pregame line
Over/under
SMU –3.5
72
Statistics
SMU
MEM
First downs
16
25
Total yards
323
468
Rushing yards
61
36
Passing yards
262
432
Turnovers
3
1
Time of possession
23:05
36:55
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
SMU
Passing
Tanner Mordecai
19/28, 262 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Tre Siggers
12 rushes, 53 yards
Receiving
Danny Gray
4 receptions, 98 yards, 2 TD
Memphis
Passing
Seth Henigan
34/53, 392 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Marquavius Weaver
10 rushes, 17 yards
Receiving
Calvin Austin
8 receptions, 88 yards
UCF
Central Florida at Southern Methodist
1
2 3 4 Total
Knights
14
0 7 7
28
• Mustangs
21
17 7 10
55
Date: November 13Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX Game start: 11:00 a.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:27Game attendance: 23,175Game weather: Temperature: 56 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SW 2 MPH MPH Referee: Hank JohnsTV announcers (ESPNU): John Schriffen (play-by-play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst)
Pregame line
Over/under
SMU –7.0
62
Statistics
UCF
SMU
First downs
15
36
Total yards
333
631
Rushing yards
124
241
Passing yards
209
390
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
26:11
33:49
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
UCF
Passing
Mikey Keene
18/35, 174 yards, TD
Rushing
Mark-Antony Richards
8 rushes, 104 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Jaylon Robinson
2 receptions, 50 yards
SMU
Passing
Tanner Mordecai
37/54, 377 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing
Ulysses Bentley IV
14 rushes, 97 yards, TD
Receiving
Dylan Goffney
10 receptions, 88 yards
At No. 5 Cincinnati
Southern Methodist at Cincinnati
1
2 3 4 Total
Mustangs
0
0 0 14
14
• No. 5 Bearcats
14
13 14 7
48
Pregame line
Over/under
CIN –9.5
65.5
Statistics
SMU
CIN
First downs
15
24
Total yards
199
544
Rushing yards
133
249
Passing yards
66
295
Turnovers
1
0
Time of possession
24:39
35:21
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
SMU
Passing
Tanner Mordecai
15/26, 66 yards, TD
Rushing
Ulysses Bentley IV
11 rushes, 68 yards
Receiving
Rashee Rice
7 receptions, 21 yards, TD
Cincinnati
Passing
Desmond Ridder
17/23, 274 yards, 3 TD
Rushing
Jerome Ford
19 rushes, 82 yards, TD
Receiving
Tre Tucker
7 receptions, 114 yards
Tulsa
Tulsa at Southern Methodist
1
2 3 4 Total
• Golden Hurricane
0
14 14 6
34
Mustangs
10
7 0 14
31
SMU in action against Tulsa
Pregame line
Over/under
SMU –6.5
62.5
Statistics
TLSA
SMU
First downs
22
23
Total yards
374
405
Rushing yards
130
107
Passing yards
244
298
Turnovers
2
2
Time of possession
31:12
28:48
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Tulsa
Passing
Davis Brin
18/33, 244 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Shamari Brooks
18 rushes, 71 yards
Receiving
Josh Johnson
6 receptions, 117 yards, TD
SMU
Passing
Tanner Mordecai
26/46, 298 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Tyler Lavine
8 rushes, 51 yards, TD
Receiving
Roderick Daniels Jr.
3 receptions, 96 yards, TD
Rankings
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final AP — — — — RV 24 23 21 19 23 RV RV — — — Coaches RV RV RV RV RV 24 23 19 16 24 RV RV — — — CFP Not released — — — — — — Not released
Weekly awards
The American offensive player of the week
Tanner Mordecai (week 1 vs. Abilene Christian)[ 14]
Tanner Mordecai (week 3 vs. Louisiana Tech)[ 15]
Tanner Mordecai (week 8 vs. Tulane)[ 16]
Tanner Mordecai (week 11 vs. UCF)[ 17]
The American special teams player of the week
Bryan Massey (week 5 vs. Navy)[ 18]
References
^ "TCU announces SMU's Dykes as new coach after campus arrival" . Fort Worth Business Press . November 30, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021 .
^ Adelson, Andrea (December 26, 2021). "Military, Fenway Bowls Canceled Because of COVID-19 Issues" . ESPN . Retrieved December 26, 2021 .
^ "Cincinnati Chosen as Favorite in American Preseason Media Poll" . theAmerican.org . Retrieved August 4, 2021 .
^ "2021 SMU Mustangs Football Schedule" . FBSchedules.com . Retrieved February 20, 2021 .
^ "2021 Football Schedule" . SMUMustangs.com . Retrieved July 13, 2021 .
^ a b "2021 SMU Mustangs Football Depth Chart" . Ourlads.com . Retrieved October 2, 2021 .
^ "Abilene Christian Wildcats vs SMU Mustangs" . Odds Shark . Retrieved September 17, 2021 .
^ "North Texas Mean Green vs SMU Mustangs" . Odds Shark . Retrieved September 17, 2021 .
^ "SMU Mustangs vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs" . Odds Shark . Retrieved September 17, 2021 .
^ "SMU Mustangs vs TCU Horned Frogs" . Odds Shark . Retrieved September 20, 2021 .
^ "South Florida Bulls vs SMU Mustangs" . Odds Shark . Retrieved October 1, 2021 .
^ "SMU Mustangs vs Navy Midshipmen" . Odds Shark . Retrieved October 5, 2021 .
^ "Tulane Green Wave vs. SMU Mustangs" . Odds Shark . Retrieved October 20, 2021 .
^ "SMU's Mordecai, UCF's Davis, Memphis' Doyle Take Weekly Football Honors" . American Athletic Conference. September 6, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2022 .
^ "SMU's Mordecai, Cincinnati's Pace, Memphis' Austin Take Weekly Football Awards" . American Athletic Conference. September 20, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2022 .
^ "SMU's Mordecai, Houston's Mutin, Jones Take Weekly Football Honors" . American Athletic Conference. October 25, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2022 .
^ "SMU's Mordecai, Tulsa's Wright, East Carolina's Daffer are Weekly Football Honorees" . American Athletic Conference. November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2022 .
^ "Cincinnati's Ford, UCF's Bethune, SMU's Massey Earn Weekly Football Honors" . American Athletic Conference. October 11, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2022 .
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