2021 NCAA Division II football season#Playoffs

{{Infobox NCAA Division II season

| year = 2021

| image =

| image_caption =

| number_of_teams = 165

| regular_season = {{nowrap|August 28 – November 13, 2021}}

| playoffs = {{nowrap|November 20 – December 18, 2021}}

| championship = McKinney Independent School District Stadium
McKinney, TX
December 18, 2021

| champion = Ferris State

| hill = Tyson Bagent, QB, Shepherd

}}

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.

D-II team wins over FCS teams

September 3: Southern Connecticut 28, Central Connecticut 21

September 4: West Florida 42, McNeese State 36

Conference changes and new programs

=Membership changes=

class="wikitable sortable" ! School !! Former conference !! New conference
Ashland Eagles	GLIAC	G-MAC{{cite web \|title=Ashland University to join Great Midwest Athletic Conference in summer of 2021 \|url=https://www.richlandsource.com/sports/ashland-university-to-join-great-midwest-athletic-conference-in-summer-of-2021/article_97171fc6-9a17-11ea-a4a4-fb7157dab3a0.html \|website=richlandsource \|access-date=October 2, 2021}}
Alderson Broaddus Battlers	G-MAC	Mountain East{{cite web \|title=Alderson Broaddus To Join MEC \|url=https://mountaineast.org/news/2020/6/5/general-alderson-broaddus-to-join-mec.aspx \|website=Mountain East \|access-date=October 2, 2021}}
Allen Yellow Jackets	Appalachian (NAIA)	Independent{{cite web \|title=Allen University to move from NAIA to NCAA Division II effective 2020-21 academic year \|url=https://hbcusports.com/2020/07/15/allen-university-to-move-from-naia-to-ncaa-division-ii-effective-2020-21-academic-year/ \|website=HBCU Sports \|access-date=October 2, 2021}}
Azusa Pacific Cougars	GNAC	Dropped program
Barton Bulldogs	Returning program, last competed 1950	Independent{{cite web \|title=NCAA DII Collegiate Football Is Coming to Barton \|url=https://www.barton.edu/ncaa-dii-collegiate-football-coming-barton/ \|website=Barton College \|access-date=October 2, 2021}}
Bluefield State Big Blues	Returning program, last competed 1980	Independent{{cite web \|title=Bluefield State Returns Football And 11 Additional Sports For 2021-2022 \|url=https://bluefieldstate.edu/community/news-and-events/bluefield-state-returns-football-and-11-additional-sports-2021-2022 \|website=Bluefield State \|access-date=October 2, 2021}}
Dixie State Trailblazers	RMAC	WAC (FCS)
Edward Waters Tigers	Independent (NAIA)	Southern Intercollegiate Athletic
Emory and Henry Wasps	Old Dominion (DIII)	Independent{{cite web \|title=Emory & Henry College to Join South Atlantic Conference; Will Begin Competition in 2022-23 \|url=https://www.thesac.com/general/2020-21/releases/20201117dbl284 \|website=SAC}}
Erskine Flying Fleet	Returning program, last competed 1951	Independent{{cite web\|title=Erskine Bringing Back Football for 2020 Season\|url=https://erskinesports.com/news/2018/8/24/general-erskine-bringing-back-football-for-2020-season.aspx\|publisher=Erskine College\|accessdate=October 29, 2021\|date=August 24, 2018}}
Florida Tech Panthers	Gulf South	Dropped program{{cite web \|title=Florida Tech cuts football program, announces layoffs due to COVID-19 impacts \|url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/05/11/florida-tech-cuts-football-program-announces-layoffs-due-covid-19/3108721001/ \|website=Florida Today \|access-date=October 2, 2021}}
Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles	Northern Sun	Dropped program{{cite web\|url=https://www.crk.umn.edu/news/discontinued-football-program\|title=UMN Crookston Discontinues Golden Eagle Football Program\|last=Tollefson \|first=Elizabeth \|place=Crookston, Minnesota\|date=December 10, 2019\|accessdate=January 20, 2022}}
UNC Pembroke Braves	Independent	Mountain East
St. Cloud State Huskies	Northern Sun	Dropped program{{cite web\|url=https://www.argusleader.com/story/sports/college/2019/12/10/st-cloud-state-university-cutting-its-football-program/4387675002/\|title=St. Cloud State University cutting its football program\|last=Zimmer\|first=Matt\|work=Argus Leader\|place=Sioux Falls, South Dakota\|date=December 10, 2019\|accessdate=August 26, 2020}}
Tarleton Texans	Lone Star	WAC (FCS)
Urbana Blue Knights	Mountain East	Shut down at end of 2019–20 academic year{{cite web \|title=Ohio’s Urbana University to close due to coronavirus challenges, low enrollment \|url=https://www.dispatch.com/news/20200421/ohiorsquos-urbana-university-to-close-due-to-coronavirus-challenges-low-enrollment \|website=The Columbus Dispatch \|access-date=October 2, 2021 \|archive-date=October 2, 2021 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002073739/https://www.dispatch.com/news/20200421/ohiorsquos-urbana-university-to-close-due-to-coronavirus-challenges-low-enrollment \|url-status=dead }}

Conference standings

=Super Region 1=

cellpadding="5"

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2021 Great Midwest Athletic Conference football standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2021 Mountain East Conference football standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2021 Northeast-10 Conference football standings}}

valign="top" width=25em|{{2021 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference football standings}}

=Super Region 2=

cellpadding="5"

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2021 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2021 Gulf South Conference football standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2021 South Atlantic Conference football standings}}

valign="top" width=25em|{{2021 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2021 NCAA Division II independents football records}}

=Super Region 3=

cellpadding="5"

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2021 Great American Conference football standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2021 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2021 Great Lakes Valley Conference football standings}}

valign="top" width=25em|{{2021 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association football standings}}

=Super Region 4=

cellpadding="5"

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2021 Great Northwest Athletic Conference football standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2021 Lone Star Conference football standings}}

|valign="top" width=25em|{{2021 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference football standings}}

valign="top" width=25em|{{2021 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football standings}}

Postseason

=Bracket=

==Super Region 1==

{{3RoundBracket-Byes

| RD1=First Round
November 20, 2021
Campus sites

| RD2=Second Round
November 27, 2021
Campus sites

| RD3=Quarterfinals
December 4, 2021
Campus sites

| RD1-seed3=4

| RD1-team3={{cfb link|year=2021|team=New Haven Chargers|title=New Haven}}*

| RD1-score3=38

| RD1-seed4=

| RD1-team4={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Bentley Falcons|title=Bentley}}

| RD1-score4=13

| RD1-seed5=2

| RD1-team5=Shepherd*

| RD1-score5=38

| RD1-seed6=

| RD1-team6={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Findlay Oilers|title=Findlay}}

| RD1-score6=31

| RD1-seed7=3

| RD1-team7={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Notre Dame Falcons|title=Notre Dame (OH)}}*

| RD1-score7=33

| RD1-seed8=

| RD1-team8=Slippery Rock

| RD1-score8=25

| RD2-seed1=1

| RD2-team1=Kutztown

| RD2-score1=10

| RD2-seed2=4

| RD2-team2=New Haven

| RD2-score2=7

| RD2-seed3=2

| RD2-team3=Shepherd

| RD2-score3=38

| RD2-seed4=3

| RD2-team4=Notre Dame (OH)

| RD2-score4=34

| RD3-seed1=1

| RD3-team1=Kutztown

| RD3-score1=28

| RD3-seed2=2

| RD3-team2=Shepherd

| RD3-score2=30

}}

==Super Region 2==

{{3RoundBracket-Byes

| RD1=First Round
November 20, 2021
Campus sites

| RD2=Second Round
November 27, 2021
Campus sites

| RD3=Quarterfinals
December 4, 2021
Campus sites

| RD1-seed3=4

| RD1-team3={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Albany State Golden Rams|title=Albany State}}*

| RD1-score3=7

| RD1-seed4=

| RD1-team4=West Georgia

| RD1-score4=23

| RD1-seed5=2

| RD1-team5={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Bowie State Bulldogs|title=Bowie State}}*

| RD1-score5=31

| RD1-seed6=

| RD1-team6={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Lenoir–Rhyne Bears|title=Lenoir–Rhyne}}

| RD1-score6=10

| RD1-seed7=3

| RD1-team7=West Florida*

| RD1-score7=30

| RD1-seed8=

| RD1-team8={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Newberry Wolves|title=Newberry}}

| RD1-score8=33*

| RD2-seed1=1

| RD2-team1=Valdosta State*

| RD2-score1=66

| RD2-seed2=

| RD2-team2=West Georgia

| RD2-score2=35

| RD2-seed3=2

| RD2-team3=Bowie State

| RD2-score3=13

| RD2-seed4=

| RD2-team4=Newberry

| RD2-score4=10

| RD3-seed1=1

| RD3-team1=Valdosta State

| RD3-score1=41

| RD3-seed2=2

| RD3-team2=Bowie State

| RD3-score2=17

}}

==Super Region 3==

{{3RoundBracket-Byes

| RD1=First Round
November 20, 2021
Campus sites

| RD2=Second Round
November 27, 2021
Campus sites

| RD3=Quarterfinals
December 4, 2021
Campus sites

| RD1-seed3=4

| RD1-team3=Grand Valley State*

| RD1-score3=20

| RD1-seed4=

| RD1-team4={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Lindenwood Lions|title=Lindenwood}}

| RD1-score4=3

| RD1-seed5=2

| RD1-team5={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Harding Bisons|title=Harding}}*

| RD1-score5=30

| RD1-seed6=

| RD1-team6={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Washburn Ichabods|title=Washburn}}

| RD1-score6=14

| RD1-seed7=3

| RD1-team7={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Northwest Missouri State Bearcats|title=NW Missouri State}}*

| RD1-score7=50

| RD1-seed8=

| RD1-team8={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Central Washington Wildcats|title=Central Washington}}

| RD1-score8=21

| RD2-seed1=1

| RD2-team1=Ferris State

| RD2-score1=54

| RD2-seed2=4

| RD2-team2=Grand Valley State

| RD2-score2=20

| RD2-seed3=2

| RD2-team3=Harding

| RD2-score3=9

| RD2-seed4=3

| RD2-team4=NW Missouri State

| RD2-score4=28

| RD3-seed1=1

| RD3-team1=Ferris State

| RD3-score1=41

| RD3-seed2=3

| RD3-team2=NW Missouri State

| RD3-score2=20

}}

==Super Region 4==

{{3RoundBracket-Byes

| RD1=First Round
November 20, 2021
Campus sites

| RD2=Second Round
November 27, 2021
Campus sites

| RD3=Quarterfinals
December 4, 2021
Campus sites

| RD1-seed3=4

| RD1-team3={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Augustana University Vikings|title=Augustana (SD)}}*

| RD1-score3=24

| RD1-seed4=

| RD1-team4={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Bemidji State Beavers|title=Bemidji State}}

| RD1-score4=28

| RD1-seed5=2

| RD1-team5={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Angelo State Rams|title=Angelo State}}*

| RD1-score5=48

| RD1-seed6=

| RD1-team6={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs|title=Minnesota–Duluth}}

| RD1-score6=14

| RD1-seed7=3

| RD1-team7={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Western Colorado Mountaineers|title=Western Colorado}}*

| RD1-score7=24

| RD1-seed8=

| RD1-team8={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Nebraska–Kearney Lopers|title=Nebraska–Kearney}}

| RD1-score8=31

| RD2-seed1=1

| RD2-team1={{cfb link|year=2021|team=Colorado Mines Orediggers|title=Colorado Mines}}*

| RD2-score1=55

| RD2-seed2=

| RD2-team2=Bemidji State

| RD2-score2=6

| RD2-seed3=2

| RD2-team3=Angelo State

| RD2-score3=20

| RD2-seed4=

| RD2-team4=Nebraska–Kearney

| RD2-score4=7

| RD3-seed1=1

| RD3-team1=Colorado Mines

| RD3-score1=34

| RD3-seed2=2

| RD3-team2=Angelo State

| RD3-score2=26

}}

==National semifinals==

Teams that advanced to the semifinals were re-seeded.

{{4TeamBracket

| RD1 = Semifinals
December 11
{{small|Hosted by higher seeded team}}

| RD2 = National Championship
December 18
{{small|McKinney ISD Stadium, McKinney, TX}}

| RD1-seed1 = 1

| RD1-team1 = Ferris State

| RD1-score1 = 55

| RD1-seed2 = 4

| RD1-team2 = Shepherd

| RD1-score2 = 7

| RD1-seed3 = 2

| RD1-team3 = Valdosta State

| RD1-score3 = 34

| RD1-seed4 = 3

| RD1-team4 = {{cfb link|year=2021|team=Colorado Mines Orediggers|title=Colorado Mines}}

| RD1-score4 = 31

| RD2-seed1 = 1

| RD2-team1 = Ferris State

| RD2-score1 = 58

| RD2-seed2 = 2

| RD2-team2 = Valdosta State

| RD2-score2 = 17

}}

2021 NCAA Division II football season#Playoffs

D-II team wins over FCS teams

Conference changes and new programs

=Membership changes=

Conference standings

=Super Region 1=

=Super Region 2=

=Super Region 3=

=Super Region 4=

Postseason

=Bracket=

==Super Region 1==

==Super Region 2==

==Super Region 3==

==Super Region 4==

==National semifinals==

See also

References