2021 NCAA Division II football season

The 2021 NCAA Division II football season, part of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level, began on August 28 and ended December 18 with the Division II championship at the McKinney Independent School District Stadium in McKinney, Texas. Ferris State defeated Valdosta State, 58–17, for the title.

2021 NCAA Division II football season
Total No. of teams166
Regular seasonAugust 28 – November 13, 2021
PlayoffsNovember 20 – December 18, 2021
National ChampionshipMcKinney Independent School District Stadium
McKinney, TX
December 18, 2021
ChampionFerris State
Harlon Hill TrophyTyson Bagent, QB, Shepherd

D-II team wins over FCS teams

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September 3: Southern Connecticut 28, Central Connecticut 21
September 4: West Florida 42, McNeese State 36

Conference changes and new programs

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Membership changes

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SchoolFormer conferenceNew conference
Ashland EaglesGLIACG-MAC[1]
Alderson Broaddus BattlersG-MACMountain East[2]
Allen Yellow JacketsAppalachian (NAIA)Independent[3]
Azusa Pacific CougarsGNACDropped program
Barton BulldogsReturning program, last competed 1950Independent[4]
Bluefield State Big BluesReturning program, last competed 1980Independent[5]
Dixie State TrailblazersRMACWAC (FCS)
Edward Waters TigersIndependent (NAIA)Southern Intercollegiate Athletic
Emory and Henry WaspsOld Dominion (D-III)Independent[6]
Erskine Flying FleetReturning program, last competed 1951Independent[7]
Florida Tech PanthersGulf SouthDropped program[8]
Minnesota Crookston Golden EaglesNorthern SunDropped program[9]
UNC Pembroke BravesIndependentMountain East
St. Cloud State HuskiesNorthern SunDropped program[10]
Tarleton TexansLone StarWAC (FCS)

Conference standings

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Super Region 1

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2021 Great Midwest Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Findlay $^ 61  84 
Tiffin 52  83 
Hillsdale # 52  66 
Ohio Dominican 43  74 
Ashland 43  55 
Lake Erie 25  56 
Kentucky Wesleyan 16  38 
Walsh 16  29 
2021 Mountain East Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 22 Frostburg State # 91  101 
No. 9 Notre Dame (OH) $^ 91  112 
Charleston (WV) 82  82 
UNC Pembroke 64  65 
West Virginia State 64  65 
Fairmont State 55  56 
Wheeling 55  56 
Concord 46  46 
West Liberty 46  47 
Glenville State 37  37 
Alderson Broaddus 19  110 
West Virginia Wesleyan 010  011 
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • # – Provisional NCAA Division II member
Rankings from AFCA poll
2021 Northeast-10 Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 14 New Haven $^ 80  102 
No. 24 Bentley ^ 71  92 
Stonehill 62  82 
Assumption 53  55 
Southern Connecticut 35  46 
Saint Anselm 35  36 
American International 26  46 
Pace 26  28 
Franklin Pierce 08  010 
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll
2021 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
No. 8 Kutztown xy$^ 70  112 
No. 5 Shepherd x^ 61  132 
Shippensburg 52  92 
West Chester 43  65 
East Stroudsburg 34  56 
Bloomsburg 25  38 
Millersville 16  29 
Lock Haven 07  110 
West Division
No. 20 Slippery Rock xy^ 61  93 
No. 21 California (PA) x 51  91 
IUP 52  73 
Gannon 34  56 
Edinboro 34  46 
Mercyhurst 34  47 
Seton Hill 25  56 
Clarion 06  010 
Championship: Kutztown 38, Slippery Rock 32
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll

Super Region 2

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2021 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Northern Division
No. 6 Bowie State xy$^ 70  122 
Virginia Union 52  64 
Chowan 43  73 
Virginia State 34  36 
Elizabeth City State 34  37 
Lincoln (PA) 16  19 
Southern Division
Fayetteville State xy 70  82 
Shaw 52  64 
Winston–Salem State 34  36 
Johnson C. Smith 15  17 
Livingstone 15  18 
St. Augustine's 16  17 
Championship: Bowie State 17, Fayetteville State 7
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll
2021 Gulf South Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 2 Valdosta State +^ 61  122 
No. 12 West Florida +^ 61  92 
No. 13 West Georgia ^ 52  93 
West Alabama 43  64 
Delta State 34  56 
Mississippi College 25  46 
North Greenville 25  56 
Shorter 07  38 
  • + Conference co-champions
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll
2021 South Atlantic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 17 Newberry $^ 71  103 
Lenoir–Rhyne ^ 62  83 
Mars Hill 62  83 
Wingate 62  73 
Virginia–Wise 44  56 
Tusculum 35  56 
Catawba 26  54 
Carson–Newman 17  19 
Limestone 17  09 
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • † – Catawba's cancellations against Wingate and Limestone were counted as forfeits in the conference standings.
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2021 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
No. 18 Albany State xy$^ 60  102 
Savannah State 51  82 
Morehouse 42  46 
Fort Valley State 33  55 
Benedict 24  55 
Clark Atlanta 06  28 
West Division
Miles xy 42  65 
Kentucky State x 42  74 
Lane 33  64 
Tuskegee 24  38 
Central State (OH) 06  19 
Not competing for championship
Allen #   45 
Edward Waters #   47 
Championship: Albany State 31, Miles 0
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • # – Provisional NCAA Division II member
Rankings from AFCA poll
2021 NCAA Division II independents football records
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Emory & Henry #   64 
Bluefield State   43 
Barton   65 
Erskine   38 
  • # – Provisional NCAA Division II member

Super Region 3

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2021 Great American Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 10 Harding $^ 101  112 
Henderson State 92  92 
No. 23 Ouachita Baptist 92  92 
SE Oklahoma State # 83  93 
Oklahoma Baptist # 74  84 
East Central 74  74 
Arkansas–Monticello 56  56 
Arkansas Tech 47  47 
Southern Arkansas 47  47 
NW Oklahoma State 29  29 
Southern Nazarene 110  110 
SW Oklahoma State 011  011 
Rankings from AFCA poll
2021 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 1 Ferris State $^ 70  140 
No. 7 Grand Valley State ^ 61  102 
Michigan Tech 52  64 
Saginaw Valley State 43  74 
Northern Michigan 25  47 
Davenport 25  38 
Wayne State (MI) 25  29 
Northwood 07  19 
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2021 Great Lakes Valley Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Lindenwood $^ 70  93 
Indianapolis 52  74 
Truman State # 43  93 
Missouri S&T 43  65 
McKendree 34  47 
Southwest Baptist 34  47 
Quincy 25  47 
William Jewell 07  011 
Rankings from AFCA poll
2021 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 4 NW Missouri State $^ 91  112 
No. 15 Nebraska–Kearney ^ 92  103 
No. 25 Washburn ^ 92  93 
Pittsburg State 83  83 
Missouri Western 65  65 
Emporia State # 65  66 
Fort Hays State 56  56 
Central Oklahoma 47  47 
Central Missouri 47  47 
Missouri Southern 38  38 
Northeastern State 29  29 
Lincoln (MO) 010  010 
Rankings from AFCA Poll

Super Region 4

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2021 Great Northwest Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Central Washington $^ 40  83 
Western Oregon 22  46 
Simon Fraser 04  17 
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll
2021 Lone Star Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Midwestern State $ 61  73 
No. 11 Angelo State ^ 52  113 
West Texas A&M 52  74 
Texas A&M–Commerce 52  74 
Texas A&M–Kingsville 34  55 
UT Permian Basin # 34  56 
Eastern New Mexico 16  37 
Western New Mexico 07  19 
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • # – Heritage Bowl participant
Rankings from AFCA poll
2021 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
North Division
No. 19 Bemidji State x$^ 92  103 
Minnesota–Duluth x^ 92  93 
Northern State 74  74 
MSU Moorhead 56  56 
Mary 33  47 
Minot State 29  29 
Concordia–St. Paul 110  110 
South Division
Augustana (SD) x^ 92  93 
Sioux Falls 83  83 
Winona State 74  74 
Wayne State (NE) 74  74 
Minnesota State 65  65 
SW Minnesota State 29  29 
Upper Iowa 110  110 
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll
2021 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 3 Colorado Mines $^ 81  122 
No. 16 Western Colorado ^ 81  102 
Colorado Mesa 72  82 
CSU Pueblo 63  65 
Chadron State 54  65 
South Dakota Mines 45  65 
New Mexico Highlands 45  46 
Black Hills State 27  47 
Adams State 18  110 
Fort Lewis 09  011 
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA poll

Postseason

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Bracket

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Super Region 1

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First Round
November 20, 2021
Campus sites
Second Round
November 27, 2021
Campus sites
Quarterfinals
December 4, 2021
Campus sites
         
1 Kutztown 10
4 New Haven 7
4 New Haven* 38
Bentley 13
1 Kutztown 28
2 Shepherd 30
2 Shepherd* 38
Findlay 31
2 Shepherd 38
3 Notre Dame (OH) 34
3 Notre Dame (OH)* 33
Slippery Rock 25

Super Region 2

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First Round
November 20, 2021
Campus sites
Second Round
November 27, 2021
Campus sites
Quarterfinals
December 4, 2021
Campus sites
         
1 Valdosta State* 66
West Georgia 35
4 Albany State* 7
West Georgia 23
1 Valdosta State 41
2 Bowie State 17
2 Bowie State* 31
Lenoir–Rhyne 10
2 Bowie State 13
Newberry 10
3 West Florida* 30
Newberry 33*

Super Region 3

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First Round
November 20, 2021
Campus sites
Second Round
November 27, 2021
Campus sites
Quarterfinals
December 4, 2021
Campus sites
         
1 Ferris State 54
4 Grand Valley State 20
4 Grand Valley State* 20
Lindenwood 3
1 Ferris State 41
3 NW Missouri State 20
2 Harding* 30
Washburn 14
2 Harding 9
3 NW Missouri State 28
3 NW Missouri State* 50
Central Washington 21

Super Region 4

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First Round
November 20, 2021
Campus sites
Second Round
November 27, 2021
Campus sites
Quarterfinals
December 4, 2021
Campus sites
         
1 Colorado Mines* 55
Bemidji State 6
4 Augustana (SD)* 24
Bemidji State 28
1 Colorado Mines 34
2 Angelo State 26
2 Angelo State* 48
Minnesota–Duluth 14
2 Angelo State 20
Nebraska–Kearney 7
3 Western Colorado* 24
Nebraska–Kearney 31

National semifinals

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Teams that advanced to the semifinals were re-seeded.

Semifinals
December 11
Hosted by higher seeded team
National Championship
December 18
McKinney ISD Stadium, McKinney, TX
      
1 Ferris State 55
4 Shepherd 7
1 Ferris State 58
2 Valdosta State 17
2 Valdosta State 34
3 Colorado Mines 31

See also

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References

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  1. "Ashland University to join Great Midwest Athletic Conference in summer of 2021". richlandsource. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  2. "Alderson Broaddus To Join MEC". Mountain East. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  3. "Allen University to move from NAIA to NCAA Division II effective 2020-21 academic year". HBCU Sports. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  4. "NCAA DII Collegiate Football Is Coming to Barton". Barton College. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  5. "Bluefield State Returns Football And 11 Additional Sports For 2021-2022". Bluefield State. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  6. "Emory & Henry College to Join South Atlantic Conference; Will Begin Competition in 2022-23". SAC.
  7. "Erskine Bringing Back Football for 2020 Season". Erskine College. August 24, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  8. "Florida Tech cuts football program, announces layoffs due to COVID-19 impacts". Florida Today. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  9. Tollefson, Elizabeth (December 10, 2019). "UMN Crookston Discontinues Golden Eagle Football Program". Crookston, Minnesota. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  10. Zimmer, Matt (December 10, 2019). "St. Cloud State University cutting its football program". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Retrieved August 26, 2020.