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
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]
†
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
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)
Scoring summary 1 11:19 SMU Grant Calcaterra 21–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(3 plays, 44 yards, 1:04) SMU 7–0
2 10:55 SMU Grant Calcaterra 8–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(11 plays, 68 yards, 4:51) SMU 14–0
07:41 SMU Danny Gray 30–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(5 plays, 64 yards, 1:47) SMU 21–0
05:01 SMU Danny Gray 27–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(4 plays, 31 yards, 1:16) SMU 28–0
03:06 ACU Blair Zepeda 47–yard field goal(5 plays, 60 yards, 1:50) SMU 28–3
00:29 SMU Rashee Rice 30–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(8 plays, 75 yards, 2:37) SMU 35–3
3 10:33 SMU Nolan Matthews 8–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(9 plays, 65 yards, 4:27) SMU 42–3
04:38 ACU Kobe Clark 11–yard pass from Stone Earle (pass failed)(16 plays, 75 yards, 5:55) SMU 42–9
00:46 SMU Nolan Matthews 31–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(9 plays, 75 yards, 3:52) SMU 49–9
4 11:44 SMU Brandon Epton Jr. 2–yard run (Brendan Hall kick)(1 play, 2 yards, 0:04) SMU 56–9
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 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)
Scoring summary 1 09:29 UNT Ethan Mooney 19–yard field goal(6 plays, 25 yards, 1:33) UNT 3–0
2 13:52 UNT Ethan Mooney 22–yard field goal(10 plays, 81 yards, 3:28) UNT 6–0
03:50 SMU Rashee Rice 62–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(2 plays, 63 yards, 0:41) SMU 7–6
3 11:13 SMU Danny Gray 58–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(3 plays, 81 yards, 0:55) SMU 14–6
06:12 UNT Isaiah Johnson 23–yard pass from Jace Ruder (DeAndre Torrey pass failed)(13 plays, 78 yards, 4:58) SMU 14–12
05:01 SMU Grant Calcaterra 29–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(4 plays, 77 yards, 1:06) SMU 21–12
4 11:17 SMU Ulysses Bentley IV 19–yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(8 plays, 80 yards, 3:10) SMU 28–12
07:37 SMU Ulysses Bentley IV 85–yard rush (Blake Mazza kick)(1 play, 85 yards, 0:14) SMU 35–12
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
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)
Scoring summary 1 06:22 LT Tre Harris 62-yard pass from Austin Kendall (Jacob Barnes kick)(5 plays, 80 yards, 2:12) LT 7–0
03:13 SMU Rashee Rice 41-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(9 plays, 78 yards, 3:04) TIE 7–7
2 06:49 LT Samuel Emilus 11-yard pass from Austin Kendall (Jacob Barnes kick)(13 plays, 99 yards, 6:00) LT 14–7
03:30 SMU Danny Gray 17-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza PAT blocked)(9 plays, 75 yards, 3:19) LT 14–13
00:00 SMU Blake Mazza 29-yard field goal(10 plays, 46 yards, 2:17) SMU 16–14
3 12:09 SMU Jordan Kerley 18-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(7 plays, 78 yards, 2:42) SMU 23–14
10:30 LT Tre Harris 11-yard pass from Austin Kendall (Jacob Barnes kick)(5 plays, 75 yards, 1:39) SMU 23–21
07:55 SMU Blake Mazza 24-yard field goal(5 plays, 22 yards, 2:24) SMU 26–21
05:25 LT Austin Kendall 3-yard rush (Jacob Barnes kick)(6 plays, 75 yards, 2:30) LT 28–26
00:24 SMU Rashee Rice 5-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(3 plays, 9 yards, 0:54) SMU 33–28
4 05:07 LT Marcus Williams Jr. 6-yard pass from Austin Kendall (two-point pass conversion attempt failed)(9 plays, 70 yards, 4:13) LT 34–33
00:36 LT Jacob Barnes 47-yard field goal(6 plays, 6 yards, 2:42) LT 37–33
00:00 SMU Reggie Roberson Jr. 33-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai(6 plays, 73 yards, 0:36) SMU 39–37
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
Southern Methodist at Texas Christian
1
2 3 4 Total
• Mustangs
14
7 14 7
42
Horned Frogs
14
7 6 7
34
Scoring summary 1 14:08 SMU Danny Gray 68-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza PAT failed)(3 plays, 77 yards, 0:46) SMU 6–0
10:48 TCU Kendre Miller 20-yard rush (Griffin Kell kick)(6 plays, 54 yards, 3:12) TCU 7–6
08:44 SMU Tanner Mordecai 4-yard rush (Ben Redding two-point conversion rush)(6 plays, 75 yards, 2:04) SMU 14–7
07:14 TCU Derius Davis 13-yard pass from Max Duggan (Griffin Kell kick)(3 plays, 75 yards, 1:30) TIE 14–14
2 13:31 TCU Zach Evans 46-yard pass from Max Duggan (Griffin Kell kick)(6 plays, 86 yards, 2:23) TCU 21–14
10:49 SMU Reggie Roberson Jr. 29-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(7 plays, 75 yards, 2:42) TIE 21–21
3 14:19 SMU Ulysses Bentley IV 1-yard rush (Blake Mazza kick)(2 plays, 3 yards, 0:25) SMU 28–21
10:27 TCU Griffin Kell 40-yard field goal(8 plays, 43 yards, 3:45) SMU 28–24
07:09 SMU Rashee Rice 11-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(8 plays, 75 yards, 3:18) SMU 35–24
00:22 TCU Griffin Kell 30-yard field goal(4 plays, 3 yards, 1:00) SMU 35–27
4 12:19 SMU Jordan Kerley 26-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(7 plays, 75 yards, 3:03) SMU 42–27
04:05 TCU Taye Barber 21-yard pass from Max Duggan (Griffin Kell kick)(7 plays, 91 yards, 1:45) SMU 42–34
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 at Southern Methodist
1
2 3 4 Total
Bulls
0
3 14 0
17
• Mustangs
10
7 10 14
41
Scoring summary 1 10:50 SMU Reggie Roberson Jr. 21-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(12 plays, 75 yards, 4:10) SMU 7–0
4:40 SMU Blake Mazza 26-yard field goal(11 plays, 65 yards, 4:21) SMU 10–0
2 12:05 SMU Rashee Rice 10-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(13 plays, 97 yards, 4:41) SMU 17–0
4:37 USF Spencer Shrader 29-yard field goal(14 plays, 63 yards, 7:28) SMU 17–3
3 12:50 USF Jaren Mangham 1-yard run (Spencer Shrader kick)(7 plays, 75 yards, 2:10) SMU 17–10
8:56 SMU Blake Mazza 30-yard field goal(11 plays, 63 yards, 3:54) SMU 20–10
4:25 SMU Tre Siggers 13-yard run (Blake Mazza kick)(5 plays, 58 yards, 2:30) SMU 27–10
0:29 USF Jaren Mangham 1-yard run (Spencer Shrader kick)(10 plays, 75 yards, 3:56) SMU 27–17
4 9:32 SMU Danny Gray 4-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(4 plays, 50 yards, 1:44) SMU 34–17
5:09 SMU Danny Gray 5-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(6 plays, 30 yards, 3:04) SMU 41–17
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
Southern Methodist at Navy
1
2 3 4 Total
• No. 24 Mustangs
7
14 3 7
31
Midshipmen
7
14 3 0
24
Scoring summary 1 13:28 SMU Reggie Roberson Jr. 66-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(4 plays, 75 yards, 1:32) SMU 7–0
3:57 NAVY Chance Warren 28-yard run (Bijan Nichols kick)(7 plays, 50 yards, 3:37) TIE 7–7
2 13:45 NAVY Kai Puailoa-Rojas 37-yard pass from Tai Lavatai (Bijan Nichols kick)(6 plays, 71 yards, 2:51) NAVY 14–7
7:42 NAVY Diego Fagot 20-yard fumble return (Nijan Nichols kick) NAVY 21–7
7:29 SMU Bryan Massey 95-yard kickoff return (Blake Mazza kick) NAVY 21–14
1:54 SMU Tre Siggers 2-yard run (Blake Mazza kick)(11 plays, 69 yards, 4:04) TIE 21–21
3 7:26 SMU Blake Mazza 37-yard field goal(9 plays, 36 yards, 4:02) SMU 24–21
0:23 NAVY Bijan Nichols 50-yard field goal(13 plays, 42 yards, 7:03) TIE 24–24
4 8:19 SMU Jordan Kerley 22-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)9 plays, 65 yards, 3:52) SMU 31–24
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 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)
Scoring summary 1 9:56 SMU Blake Mazza 22-yard field goal(14 plays, 50 yards, 5:04) SMU 3–0
6:08 SMU Tre Siggers 1-yard run (Blake Mazza kick)(6 plays, 81 yards, 2:30) SMU 10–0
1:04 SMU Tanner Mordecai 1-yard run (Blake Mazza kick)(11 plays, 88 yards, 3:07) SMU 17–0
0:22 TULN Shae Wyatt 10-yard pass from Michael Pratt (Merek Glover kick)(3 plays, 75 yards, 0:42) SMU 17–7
2 13:25 SMU Tommy McIntyre 24-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(6 plays, 96 yards, 1:57) SMU 24–7
0:53 SMU Reggie Roberson Jr. 22-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(9 plays, 91 yards, 4:24) SMU 31–7
3 12:18 TULN Shae Wyatt 11-yard pass from Michael Pratt (pass failed)(7 plays, 75 yards, 2:42) SMU 31–13
3:33 SMU Tre Siggers 9-yard run (Blake Mazza kick)(11 plays, 91 yards, 5:04) SMU 38–13
1:28 TULN Duece Watts 4-yard pass from Michael Pratt (pass failed)(6 plays, 75 yards, 2:05) SMU 38–19
4 9:05 SMU Blake Mazza 38-yard field goal(6 plays, 13 yards, 3:56) SMU 41–19
6:50 TULN Tyjae Spears 9-yard run (Merek Glover kick)(8 plays, 82 yards, 2:15) SMU 41–26
6:01 SMU Tyler Lavine 44-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(2 plays, 44 yards, 0:49) SMU 48–26
2:39 SMU Brandon Epton Jr. 9-yard run (Blake Mazza kick)(6 plays, 37 yards, 2:47) SMU 55–26
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
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)
Scoring summary 1 11:20 HOU Nathaniel Dell 7-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)(9 plays, 78 yards, 3:40) HOU 7–0
9:26 HOU Nathaniel Dell 48-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)(2 plays, 56 yards, 0:33) HOU 14–0
2:20 HOU Dalton Witherspoon 50-yard field goal(9 plays, 55 yards, 4:32) HOU 17–0
0:00 SMU Jordan Kerley 43-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(7 plays, 75 yards, 2:20 HOU 17–7
2 11:41 HOU Dalton Witherspoon 23-yard field goal(7 plays, 69 yards, 3:19) HOU 20–7
7:28 SMU Tre Siggers 50-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(1 play, 50 yards, 0:09) HOU 20–14
2:45 SMU Rashee Rice 6-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (kick blocked)(7 plays, 35 yards, 3:07) TIE 20–20
0:00 HOU Dalton Witherspoon 30-yard field goal(12 plays, 62 yards, 2:45) HOU 23–20
3 14:45 SMU Bryan Massey 100-yard kickoff return (Blake Mazza kick) SMU 27–23
9:22 HOU Nathaniel Dell 17-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)(11 plays, 72 yards, 5:23) HOU 30–27
5:46 SMU Tre Siggers 2-yard run (Blake Mazza kick)(8 plays, 75 yards, 3:36) SMU 34–30
4 13:36 HOU KeSean Carter 4-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)(14 plays, 75 yards, 7:10) HOU 37–34
0:30 SMU Blake Mazza 45-yard field goal(10 plays, 58 yards, 1:34) TIE 37–37
0:17 HOU Marcus Jones 100-yard kickoff return (Dalton Witherspoon kick)HOU 44–37
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
Southern Methodist at Memphis
1
2 3 4 Total
Mustangs
0
10 0 15
25
• Tigers
0
7 14 7
28
Scoring summary 2 1:57 SMU Danny Gray 48-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(6 plays, 80 yards, 2:25) SMU 7–0
0:16 MEM Eddie Lewis 2-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick)(8 plays, 75 yards, 1:41) TIE 7–7
0:00 SMU Blake Mazza 47-yard field goal(2 plays, 26 yards, 0:00) SMU 10–7
3 8:47 MEM Asa Martin 1-yard run (Joe Doyle kick)(5 plays, 41 yards, 2:33) MEM 14–10
2:41 MEM Javon Ivory 27-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick)(11 plays, 90 yards, 2:53) MEM 21–10
4 11:01 MEM Sean Dykes 40-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick)(9 plays, 71 yards, 5:15) MEM 28–10
8:36 SMU Danny Gray 27-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Tanner Mordecai pass to Rashee Rice)(8 plays, 66 yards, 2:18) MEM 28–18
5:53 SMU Tyler Levine 1-yard run (Blake Mazza kick)(5 plays, 32 yards, 1:19) MEM 28–25
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
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)
Scoring summary 1 13:23 UCF Ryan O'Keefe 18-yard pass from Mikey Keene (Daniel Obarski kick)(4 plays, 32 yards, 0:31) UCF 7–0
10:38 SMU Grant Calcaterra 15-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(8 plays, 84 yards, 2:37) TIE 7–7
5:33 UCF Parker Navarro 6-yard run (Daniel Obarski kick)(3 plays, 15 yards, 1:05) UCF 14–7
4:32 SMU Ulysses Bentley IV 56-yard run (Blake Mazza kick)(3 plays, 69 yards, 1:01) TIE 14–14
0:12 SMU Tre Siggers 10-yard run (Blake Mazza kick)(9 plays, 62 yards, 3:17) SMU 21–14
2 8:16 SMU Blake Mazza 29-yard field goal(12 plays, 64 yards, 4:00) SMU 24–14
5:00 SMU Tre Siggers 16-yard run (Blake Mazza kick)(5 plays, 51 yards, 1:21) SMU 31–14
1:01 SMU Rashee Rice 8-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(11 plays, 85 yards, 2:41) SMU 38–14
3 12:47 UCF Mark-Antony Richards 58-yard run (Daniel Obarski kick)(5 plays, 75 yards, 2:13) SMU 38–21
3:23 SMU Reggie Roberson Jr. 24-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(7 plays, 88 yards, 2:13) SMU 45–21
4 14:22 SMU Tre Siggers 4-yard run (Blake Mazza kick)(9 plays, 35 yards, 3:38) SMU 52–21
12:10 UCF Mark-Antony Richards 4-yard run (Daniel Obarski kick)(7 plays, 75 yards, 2:12) SMU 52–28
8:17 SMU Blake Mazza 43-yard field goal(8 plays, 50 yards, 3:53) SMU 55–28
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
Southern Methodist at Cincinnati
1
2 3 4 Total
Mustangs
0
0 0 14
14
• No. 5 Bearcats
14
13 14 7
48
Scoring summary 1 12:54 CIN Tyler Scott 53-yard pass from Desmond Ridder (Alex Bales kick)(1 play, 53 yards, 0:07) CIN 7–0
5:32 CIN Jerome Ford 4-yard run (Alex Bales kick)(6 plays, 25 yards, 2:58) CIN 14–0
2 13:37 CIN Desmond Ridder 40-yard run (kick failed)(6 plays, 78 yards, 3:02) CIN 20–0
8:19 CIN Alec Pierce 17-yard pass from Desmond Ridder (Alex Bales kick)(8 plays, 71 yards, 3:40) CIN 27–0
3 10:59 CIN Desmond Ridder 5-yard pass from Jordan Jones (Alex Bales kick)(7 plays, 92 yards, 4:01) CIN 34–0
5:44 CIN Alec Pierce 17-yard pass from Desmond Ridder (Alex Bales kick)(8 plays, 42 yards, 3:59) CIN 41–0
4 11:06 CIN Jordan Jones 11-yard pass from Evan Prater (Alex Bales kick)(12 plays, 74 yards, 6:22) CIN 48–0
8:32 SMU Tre Siggers 2-yard run (Blake Mazza kick)(6 plays, 63 yards, 2:34) CIN 48–7
1:17 SMU Rashee Rice 3-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(9 plays, 46 yards, 3:43) CIN 48–14
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 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
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
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]
^ "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 .