2021 SMU Mustangs football team explained
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
Media poll
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 |
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
[4] [5]
Personnel
Depth chart
† | As of September 17, 2021 | |
Game summaries
Abilene Christian
See also: 2021 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
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SMU –32 | 66[6] | |
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 | | 24/30, 317 yards, 7 TD |
Rushing | Ulysses Bentley IV | 10 carries, 48 yards |
Receiving | | 4 receptions, 72 yards, 2 TD | |
North Texas
See also: 2021 North Texas Mean Green football team and Safeway Bowl.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
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SMU –22.5 | 75[7] | |
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 | | 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 | | 4 receptions, 99 yards, TD | |
At Louisiana Tech
See also: 2021 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
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SMU –12.5 | 66[8] | |
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 | | 7 receptions, 103 yards |
Louisiana Tech | Passing | | 24/40, 351 yards, 4 TD, INT |
Rushing | Marcus Williams Jr. | 13 carries, 65 yards |
Receiving | | 5 receptions, 102 yards, 2 TD | |
At TCU
See also: 2021 TCU Horned Frogs football team and SMU–TCU football rivalry.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
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TCU –9.5 | 65.5[9] | |
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 | | 15 rushes, 113 yards |
Receiving | | 5 receptions, 114 yards, TD | |
South Florida
See also: 2021 South Florida Bulls football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
---|
SMU –21 | 68.5[10] | |
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 | | 14/22, 223 yards |
Rushing | | 7 rushes, 46 yards |
Receiving | | 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
See also: 2021 Navy Midshipmen football team and Gansz Trophy.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
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SMU –13.5 | 56[11] | |
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 | | 4/7, 64 yards, TD |
Rushing | Tai Lavatai | 24 rushes, 53 yards |
Receiving | Kai Puailoa-Rojas | 1 reception, 37 yards, TD | |
Tulane
See also: 2021 Tulane Green Wave football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
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SMU -14.5 | 70.5[12] | |
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 | | 11/22, 234 yards, 3 TD |
Rushing | | 14 rushes, 85 yards, TD |
Receiving | | 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
See also: 2021 Houston Cougars football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | 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 | | 27/37, 412 yards, 4 TD |
Rushing | Ta'Zhawn Henry | 21 rushes, 49 yards |
Receiving | | 9 receptions, 165 yards, 3 TD | |
At Memphis
See also: 2021 Memphis Tigers football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
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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 | | 34/53, 392 yards, 2 TD, INT |
Rushing | Marquavius Weaver | 10 rushes, 17 yards |
Receiving | | 8 receptions, 88 yards | |
UCF
See also: 2021 UCF Knights football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
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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 | | 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
See also: 2021 Cincinnati Bearcats football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
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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 | | 17/23, 274 yards, 3 TD |
Rushing | | 19 rushes, 82 yards, TD |
Receiving | | 7 receptions, 114 yards | |
Tulsa
See also: 2021 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | 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 | | 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 | |
Weekly awards
- The American offensive player of the week
Tanner Mordecai (week 1 vs. Abilene Christian)[13]
Tanner Mordecai (week 3 vs. Louisiana Tech)[14]
Tanner Mordecai (week 8 vs. Tulane)[15]
Tanner Mordecai (week 11 vs. UCF)[16]
- The American special teams player of the week
Bryan Massey (week 5 vs. Navy)[17]
Notes and References
- Web site: TCU announces SMU’s Dykes as new coach after campus arrival . November 30, 2021 . December 5, 2021 . Fort Worth Business Press.
- Web site: Andrea . Adelson . December 26, 2021 . Military, Fenway Bowls Canceled Because of COVID-19 Issues . ESPN . December 26, 2021.
- Web site: Cincinnati Chosen as Favorite in American Preseason Media Poll. theAmerican.org . 4 August 2021.
- Web site: 2021 SMU Mustangs Football Schedule. FBSchedules.com. February 20, 2021.
- Web site: 2021 Football Schedule. SMUMustangs.com. July 13, 2021.
- Web site: Abilene Christian Wildcats vs SMU Mustangs. Odds Shark. September 17, 2021. en.
- Web site: North Texas Mean Green vs SMU Mustangs. Odds Shark. September 17, 2021. en.
- Web site: SMU Mustangs vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Odds Shark. September 17, 2021. en.
- Web site: SMU Mustangs vs TCU Horned Frogs. Odds Shark. September 20, 2021. en.
- Web site: South Florida Bulls vs SMU Mustangs. Odds Shark. October 1, 2021. en.
- Web site: SMU Mustangs vs Navy Midshipmen. Odds Shark. October 5, 2021. en.
- Web site: Tulane Green Wave vs. SMU Mustangs. Odds Shark. October 20, 2021. en.
- Web site: American Athletic Conference . SMU's Mordecai, UCF's Davis, Memphis' Doyle Take Weekly Football Honors . September 6, 2021 . November 11, 2022.
- Web site: American Athletic Conference . SMU's Mordecai, Cincinnati's Pace, Memphis' Austin Take Weekly Football Awards . September 20, 2021 . November 11, 2022.
- Web site: American Athletic Conference . SMU's Mordecai, Houston's Mutin, Jones Take Weekly Football Honors . October 25, 2021 . November 11, 2022.
- Web site: American Athletic Conference . SMU's Mordecai, Tulsa's Wright, East Carolina's Daffer are Weekly Football Honorees . November 15, 2021 . November 11, 2022.
- Web site: American Athletic Conference . Cincinnati's Ford, UCF's Bethune, SMU's Massey Earn Weekly Football Honors . October 11, 2021 . November 11, 2022.