What Is 2021 Alcorn State football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2021 Alcorn State football team represented Alcorn State University in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 5–6 overall record and 4–4 in SWAC play under head coach Cedric Thomas. They played home games at Casem-Spinks Stadium in Lorman, Mississippi.

Key Facts

5–6 overall record in the 2021 season
4–4 conference record in the SWAC West Division
Head coach Cedric Thomas in his second season
Home games played at Casem-Spinks Stadium
Lost 31–10 to Jackson State in the Soul Bowl on November 20, 2021

Overview

The 2021 Alcorn State football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Led by second-year head coach Cedric Thomas, the Braves aimed to rebuild after a shortened 2020 season due to the pandemic.

Playing their home games at the historic Casem-Spinks Stadium in Lorman, Mississippi, the team showed improvement in several areas, particularly on offense. Despite not qualifying for the SWAC Championship Game, they remained competitive in conference matchups.

Record: Finished the season with a 5–6 overall record and a 4–4 mark in SWAC play, placing third in the West Division.
Head Coach: Cedric Thomas entered his second season at the helm, focusing on stabilizing the program after前任 coach Fred McNair’s departure.
Stadium: The Braves played home games at Casem-Spinks Stadium, a 35,000-seat venue that has hosted Alcorn football since 1954.
Key Game: A 31–10 loss to rival Jackson State on November 20 ended postseason hopes and highlighted defensive struggles.
Offensive Performance: Averaged 24.5 points per game, showing growth compared to previous seasons, led by quarterback John Gibbs Jr.

Season Performance

The 2021 campaign featured a mix of close wins and tough losses, reflecting the team’s transitional phase. Alcorn State opened the season against non-conference opponents before diving into SWAC play in October.

Opening Game: Defeated Mississippi College 42–14 on September 4, showcasing offensive firepower early in the season.
Conference Start: Began SWAC play with a 24–14 win over Arkansas–Pine Bluff on October 2, demonstrating improved discipline and execution.
Rivalry Game: The annual Soul Bowl against Jackson State ended in a 31–10 defeat, with Alcorn failing to contain JSU’s dynamic quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Defensive Struggles: Allowed an average of 28.7 points per game, among the highest in the SWAC, indicating ongoing challenges on that side of the ball.
Home Record: Went 3–2 at Casem-Spinks Stadium, winning against Mississippi College, Arkansas–Pine Bluff, and Southern, but losing to Jackson State and Florida A&M.
Season Finale: Closed the year with a 37–14 loss to Southern on November 27, finishing with a losing overall record for the second consecutive season.

Comparison at a Glance

How did the 2021 Alcorn State team compare to recent seasons? The table below highlights key metrics across three recent years:

Season	Overall Record	SWAC Record	Points For	Points Against	Head Coach
2021	5–6	4–4	270 (24.5/game)	316 (28.7/game)	Cedric Thomas
2020 (Spring 2021)	1–2	1–2	69 (23.0/game)	75 (25.0/game)	Cedric Thomas
2019	6–5	5–3	297 (27.0/game)	291 (26.5/game)	Fred McNair
2018	9–3	7–1	328 (27.3/game)	236 (19.7/game)	Fred McNair
2017	5–6	4–4	256 (23.3/game)	307 (27.9/game)	Fred McNair

The 2021 season mirrored the team’s 2017 performance in terms of record and scoring, but defensive efficiency declined compared to peak years like 2018. While offensive output improved from 2020, the Braves struggled to maintain consistency against top SWAC opponents, particularly in high-stakes rivalry games.

Why It Matters

The 2021 season was a pivotal chapter in Alcorn State’s effort to regain prominence in the SWAC after a dominant 2018 campaign. Though not a championship contender, the team laid groundwork for future development under Thomas’s leadership.

Program Stability: Maintaining a consistent coaching staff was crucial after Fred McNair’s departure following the 2019 season.
Player Development: Quarterback John Gibbs Jr. showed promise, throwing for 1,700 yards and 14 touchdowns, signaling potential for 2022.
Rivalry Impact: Losing the Soul Bowl to Jackson State underscored the gap between Alcorn and the conference’s elite programs.
Recruiting: Competitive performances helped maintain visibility in the regional recruiting landscape, especially in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Fan Engagement: Attendance remained strong at Casem-Spinks, with over 20,000 fans attending the Jackson State game, reflecting enduring school pride.
Future Outlook: The 2021 season set the stage for rebuilding, with an emphasis on improving defense and special teams in subsequent years.

While the 2021 Alcorn State football team didn’t achieve postseason success, it represented a step in the right direction for a historically strong HBCU program adapting to a changing football landscape.