2021 Southeastern Louisiana Lions football team

The 2021 Southeastern Louisiana Lions football team represented Southeastern Louisiana University as a member of the Southland Conference during the 2021 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Lions were led by fourth-year head coach Frank Scelfo and played their home games at Strawberry Stadium.

2021 Southeastern Louisiana Lions football
ConferenceSouthland Conference
Ranking
STATSNo. 15
FCS CoachesNo. 15
Record9–4 (6–2 Southland)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorGreg Stevens (6th season)
Defensive coordinatorRaymond Monica (1st as DC, 3rd overall season)
Home stadiumStrawberry Stadium
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Southland Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 12 Incarnate Word $^   7 1     10 3  
No. 15 Southeastern Louisiana ^   6 2     9 4  
Nicholls   5 3     6 5  
McNeese State *   3 5     4 7  
Northwestern State   3 5     3 8  
Houston Baptist   0 8     0 11  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – FCS playoff participant
  • * – Ineligible for FCS postseason play due to NCAA sanctions
Rankings from STATS Poll

Preseason edit

Preseason poll edit

The Southland Conference released their preseason poll in July 2021. The Lions were picked to finish first in the conference.[1] In addition, sixteen Lions were chosen to the Preseason All-Southland Team.[2]

Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Southeastern Louisiana 48 (8)
2 Nicholls 43 (4)
3 Incarnate Word 32
4 McNeese State 26
5 Northwestern State 21
6 Houston Baptist 10

Preseason All–Southland Teams edit

Personnel edit

2021 Southeastern Louisiana Lions football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
RB 0 Damien Dawson   Sr
WR 1 Brennon Dingle Sr
WR 3 Anthony Spurlock   So
WR 4 Austin Mitchell   Sr
QB 5 Cephus Johnson III Jr
WR 6 Nick Kovacs Jr
WR 7 Terrell Carter Jr
WR 9 Tim Wilson Jr Jr
WR 10 Maurice Massey   Fr
QB 12 Bauer Sharp Fr
TE 13 Jordan Loving   So
QB 14 Jacob Switzer Fr
QB 15 Cole Kelley Sr
WR 16 Justin Wendt   Jr
QB 18 Christian Westcott Fr
QB 19 Eli Sawyer Fr
RB 20 Jordan Griffin   So
RB 22 Taron Jones Jr
WR 23 Jett Booker Fr
WR 24 Calvin Jones Fr
RB 25 Jessie Britt Jr
WR 27 Corey Lorio Fr
RB 29 Joseph Wilson Fr
RB 33 Jahmon McClendon   Fr
TE 38 Ivan Drobocky Fr
TE 44 Connor Briggs Fr
OL 52 Javin Turner Fr
OL 53 Holden Kareokowsky Fr
OL 54 Tyree' Rhodes   Jr
OL 55 John Allen So
OL 56 Brockhim Wicks   Fr
OL 61 Rendon Miles-Character Sr
OL 62 William Granville   So
OL 63 Dom Serapiglia III   Fr
OL 64 Noah Devlin Fr
OL 68 Cayden Guzzardo Fr
OL 70 Ethan McMullan Sr
OL 71 Gavin Burtchaell Fr
OL 72 Brennan Lanclos   So
OL 73 Jhy Orgeron Fr
OL 74 Jalen Bell Jr
OL 75 Blakely Miller Fr
OL 79 Drew Jones Sr
WR 80 Da'Shun Hughley Fr
WR 81 Malik Hillard Fr
WR 82 Gage Larvadain Fr
WR 83 CJ Turner   Jr
TE 84 Spencer Owens   Jr
TE 85 Tanner Olsen   So
WR 86 Ed Magee So
WR 87 Reginald Patterson Jr. Fr
TE 88 Nolan Givan Sr
TE 89 Cade Collier Fr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DB 2 Ferlando Jordan   Jr
DB 6 Coryell Pierce Fr
DB 8 Donniel Ward-Magee Jr
DB 11 Matt Wright   Sr
DB 12 Champ Craven   Fr
DB 13 Markell Linzer Fr
DB 14 Zy Alexander Fr
DB 16 Justin Dumas Fr
LB 17 Chinedu Ogbonna Sr
DB 20 Jack Henderson Fr
DB 21 Brandon Barbee Jr
DB 23 Blayne Delahoussaye Fr
DB 24 Alphonso Taylor So
DB 25 Taquan Thomas Fr
DB 26 Mark Clement Fr
DB 27 Justin Douglas So
DB 28 Tyrone Legette So
LB 30 Alexis Ramos Sr
DB 31 Robert Buquoi   Fr
LB 32 Mike Mason   Sr
LB 33 Max Jubenville Fr
LB 34 Arlen Williams   So
DB 38 Calvin Watson Jr.   Fr
LB 39 Gerald Henderson   Fr
LB 40 Gerald Nathan So
LB 41 Kevin Bickham Fr
DB 41 Taylor Martin Fr
DB 42 Edward Wilson Fr
LB 43 Donte' Daniels Fr
DL 45 Garrett Crawford So
LB 46 Herman Christophe So
LB 47 David Ellis Fr
LB 48 Dominic Lamm So
DL 49 Sci Martin Sr
LB 50 Tommy Lee Fr
LB 57 Josh Cook   So
DL 58 Rodney Sopsher So
DL 65 Kaleb Hogg   So
DL 78 Brendon Kelley   So
DL 90 Bryce Cage Fr
LB 91 Darrius Harry   Fr
DL 92 Nelson Jenkins III So
DL 93 Kam Johnson Fr
DL 94 Cherif Seye So
DL 96 Dalton Allen Fr
DL 97 Tyrik Mitchell   Fr
DL 98 Cullan Scott Fr
DL 99 John Graves III So
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
P 26 Austin Dunlap So
K, P 33 Nathan Holliday   So
K 36 Mateo Rengifo So
P, K 42 Aubrey Bishop Fr
LS 51 Korey Karbowsky Fr
LS 59 Jake Rotenberry   Jr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  •   Injured
  •   Redshirt

Roster
Last update: 8 August 2021

Schedule edit

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 46:00 p.m.at North Alabama*No. 15ESPN3W 49–283,433
September 116:00 p.m.at Louisiana Tech*No. 13ESPN3L 42–4515,328
September 1811:00 a.m.at Central Connecticut*No. 15W 56–103,117
October 212:00 p.m.at McNeese StateNo. 14ESPN+W 38–356,044
October 912:00 p.m.at No. 25 NichollsNo. 14ESPN+W 58–487,402
October 164:00 p.m.Houston Baptist No. 11ESPN+W 61–247,389
October 233:00 p.m.at Northwestern StateNo. 9ESPN+W 51–146,523
October 306:00 p.m.McNeese StateNo. 8
  • Strawberry Stadium
  • Hammond, LA
ESPN+W 23–20 4,185
November 62:00 p.m.at No. 22 Incarnate WordNo. 6ESPN+L 52–553,220
November 13[b]6:00 p.m.Northwestern StateNo. 14
  • Strawberry Stadium
  • Hammond, LA (rivalry)
ESPN+W 56–284,137
November 186:00 p.m.NichollsNo. 15
ESPN+L 42–456,057
November 277:00 p.m.No. 22 Florida A&M*No. 18
ESPN+W 38–144,125
December 41:00 p.m.at No. 2 James Madison*No. 18ESPN+L 20–5911,743
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[5][6][7]

  1. ^ Southeastern Louisiana's game against North Alabama was originally scheduled to be played as a home game, in Hammond, but the game was moved to Florence, Alabama on August 31, 2021, due to safety concerns related to Hurricane Ida.[3]
  2. ^ Southeastern Louisiana's home game against Northwestern State was originally scheduled to be played on September 25, but the game was moved on November 13, 2021, due to safety concerns related to Hurricane Ida.[4]

Game summaries edit

at North Alabama edit

Southeastern Louisiana at North Alabama
1 234Total
No. 15 SLU Lions 7 71322 49
UNA Lions 0 1477 28
  • Date: September 4, 2021
  • Location: Braly Municipal Stadium
    Florence, AL[3]
  • Game start: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 36 minutes
  • Game attendance: 3,433
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD
  • Referee: Drew Myers
  • TV announcers (ESPN3):  
       
Pregame line Over/under
   
Statistics Southeastern Louisiana North Alabama
First downs 30 23
Total yards 495 404
Rushing yards 232 54
Passing yards 263 350
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 36:49 23:11
Team Category Player Statistics
Southeastern Louisiana Passing Cole Kelley 30/41, 263 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Taron Jones 11 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD
Receiving CJ Turner 3 receptions, 52 yards
North Alabama Passing Jaylen Gipson 23/46, 350 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Jaylen Gipson 7 carries, 22 yards
Receiving Takairee Kennebrew 7 receptions, 132 yards, 3 TD

At Louisiana Tech edit

Southeastern Louisiana at Louisiana Tech
1 234Total
No. 13 Lions 7 14147 42
Bulldogs 14 10147 45
  • Date: September 11, 2021
  • Location: Joe Aillet Stadium
    Ruston, LA
  • Game start: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time:  
  • Game attendance:  15,328
  • Game weather: • Weather: Sunny • Wind: TBD
  • Referee: Kevin Vicknair
  • TV announcers (ESPN3): Lyn Rollins and Chris Mycoskie
         
Pregame line Over/under
   
Statistics Southeastern Louisiana Louisiana Tech
First downs 32 23
Total yards 598 448
Rushing yards 103 198
Passing yards 495 250
Turnovers 3 1
Time of possession 32:48 27:12
Team Category Player Statistics
Southeastern Louisiana Passing Cole Kelley 44/59, 495 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Cole Kelley 14 carries, 42 yards, 2 TD
Receiving C. J. Turner 8 receptions, 131 yards, TD
Louisiana Tech Passing Austin Kendall 19/27, 217 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Marcus Williams Jr. 18 carries, 99 yards
Receiving Tre Harris 4 receptions, 72 yards, TD

At Central Connecticut edit

Southeastern Louisiana at Central Connecticut State
1 2Total
No. 15 Lions 0
Blue Devils 0
  • Date: September 18, 2021
  • Location: Arute Field
    New Britain, CT
  • Game start: 11:00 a.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time:  
  • Game attendance:  3,117
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Pregame line Over/under
   
Statistics Southeastern Louisiana Central Connecticut
First downs    
Total yards    
Rushing yards    
Passing yards    
Turnovers    
Time of possession    
Team Category Player Statistics
Southeastern Louisiana Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
Central Connecticut Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    

At McNeese State edit

Southeastern Louisiana at McNeese State
1 234Total
No. 14 Lions 14 1077 38
Cowboys 7 01414 35
  • Date: October 2, 2021
  • Location: Cowboys Stadium
    Lake Charles, LA
  • Game start: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time:  3:36
  • Game attendance:  6,044
  • Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: SE 9
  • Referee:  Ed Bourgeois
  • TV announcers (CST/ESPN+):  
Pregame line Over/under
   
Statistics Southeastern Louisiana McNeese State
First downs    
Total yards    
Rushing yards    
Passing yards    
Turnovers    
Time of possession    
Team Category Player Statistics
Southeastern Louisiana Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
McNeese State Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    

At No. 25 Nicholls edit

Southeastern Louisiana at Nicholls
1 234Total
No. 14 Lions 7 241413 58
No. 25 Colonels 7 72113 48
Pregame line Over/under
 NSU-1  72.5
Statistics Southeastern Louisiana Nicholls
First downs  32  26
Total yards  573  507
Rushing yards  167  209
Passing yards  406  298
Turnovers  1  0
Time of possession  37:51  22:09
Team Category Player Statistics
Southeastern Louisiana Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
Nicholls Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    

Houston Baptist edit

Houston Baptist at Southeastern Louisiana
1 2Total
Huskies 0
No. 11 Lions 0
  • Date: October 16, 2021
  • Location: Strawberry Stadium
    Hammond, LA
  • Game start: 4:00 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time:  
  • Game attendance:  7,389
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (ESPN+):  
Pregame line Over/under
   
Statistics Houston Baptist Southeastern Louisiana
First downs    
Total yards    
Rushing yards    
Passing yards    
Turnovers    
Time of possession    
Team Category Player Statistics
Houston Baptist Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
Southeastern Louisiana Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    

At Northwestern State edit

Southeastern Louisiana at Northwestern State
1 2Total
No. 9 Lions 0
Demons 0
Pregame line Over/under
   
Statistics Southeastern Louisiana Northwestern State
First downs    
Total yards    
Rushing yards    
Passing yards    
Turnovers    
Time of possession    
Team Category Player Statistics
Southeastern Louisiana Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
Northwestern State Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    

McNeese State edit

McNeese State at Southeastern Louisiana
1 234Total
Cowboys 7 0013 20
No. 8 Lions 3 0713 23
  • Date: October 30, 2021
  • Location: Strawberry Stadium
    Hammond, LA
  • Game start: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time:  3:20
  • Game attendance:  4,185
  • Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C) • Weather: Clear • Wind: NW 7
  • Referee:  Craig Heiser
  • TV announcers (ESPN+):  
Pregame line Over/under
   
Statistics McNeese State Southeastern Louisiana
First downs    
Total yards    
Rushing yards    
Passing yards    
Turnovers    
Time of possession    
Team Category Player Statistics
McNeese State Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
Southeastern Louisiana Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    

At No. 22 Incarnate Word edit

Southeastern Louisiana at Incarnate Word
1 234Total
No. 6 Lions 7 102114 52
No. 22 Cardinals 7 211413 55
  • Date: November 6, 2021
  • Location: Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium
    San Antonio, TX
  • Game start: 2:00 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 53 minutes
  • Game attendance: 3,220
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C) • Weather: Clear, Sunny • Wind: SE 2 mph
  • Referee: Ed Bourgeois
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): David Saltzman (play-by-play), Taylor McHargue (analyst), Lainie Fritz (sideline)
            
Pregame line Over/under
   
Statistics Southeastern Louisiana Incarnate Word
First downs 44 29
Total yards 774 711
Rushing yards 127 95
Passing yards 647 616
Turnovers 0 2
Time of possession 42:22 17:38
Team Category Player Statistics
Southeastern Louisiana Passing Cole Kelley 50/68, 647 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Taron Jones 10 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Austin Mitchell 9 receptions, 169 yards, 1 TD
Incarnate Word Passing Cameron Ward 34/52, 610 yards, 7 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Kevin Brown 6 carries, 65 yards
Receiving Taylor Grimes 12 receptions, 193 yards, 2 TD

Northwestern State edit

Northwestern State at Southeastern Louisiana
1 2Total
Demons 0
No. 16 Lions 0
  • Date: November 13, 2021[4]
  • Location: Strawberry Stadium
    Hammond, LA
  • Game start: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time:  
  • Game attendance:  4,137
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (ESPN+):  
Pregame line Over/under
   
Statistics Northwestern State Southeastern Louisiana
First downs    
Total yards    
Rushing yards    
Passing yards    
Turnovers    
Time of possession    
Team Category Player Statistics
Northwestern State Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
Southeastern Louisiana Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    

Nicholls edit

Nicholls at Southeastern Louisiana
1 234Total
Colonels 21 0177 45
No. 15 Lions 14 14014 42
  • Date: November 18, 2021
  • Location: Strawberry Stadium
    Hammond, LA
  • Game start: 6:00 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time:  3:45
  • Game attendance:  6,057
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: N13mph
  • Referee:  Gary Leeper
  • TV announcers (ESPN+):  
Pregame line Over/under
 SEL –7.5  78
Statistics Nicholls Southeastern Louisiana
First downs  28  26
Total yards  556  496
Rushing yards  292  111
Passing yards  264  385
Turnovers  2  1
Time of possession  33:29  26:31
Team Category Player Statistics
Nicholls Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
Southeastern Louisiana Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    

FCS Playoffs edit

Vs. No. 22 Florida A&M – first round edit

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 22 Florida A&M 0 0 0 14 14
No. 18 Lions 7 17 7 7 38

At No. 3 Dukes – second round edit

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 18 Lions 10 3 0 7 20
No. 3 Dukes 14 24 21 0 59

References edit

  1. ^ "Southeastern Voted to Top Spot in 2021 Football Preseason Poll". www.southland.org. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  2. ^ "Southland Announces 2021 Preseason All-Conference Football Teams". www.southland.org. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Kelley, Kevin (August 31, 2021). "North Alabama-SLU football game moved to Florence due to Hurricane Ida". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Northwestern-SLU postponed". The Bogalusa Daily News. September 9, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  5. ^ "2021 Southeastern Louisiana Lions Football Schedule".
  6. ^ "2021 Southeastern Louisiana Lions Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com.
  7. ^ "2021 SE Louisiana Lions Schedule". ESPN.com.