2021 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season

2021 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football season
SportFootball
Number of teams7
Co-championsAlbion, Hope
Football seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 25 Albion +^   5 – 1     9 – 2  
Hope +   5 – 1     8 – 2  
Trine   4 – 2     6 – 4  
Olivet   3 – 3     7 – 3  
Adrian   3 – 3     5 – 5  
Alma   1 – 5     5 – 5  
Kalamazoo   0 – 6     1 – 9  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division III playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll

The 2021 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association season was the season of college football played by the seven member schools of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) as part of the 2021 NCAA Division III football season.

The Albion Britons and Hope Flying Dutchmen tied for the MIAA championship. Albion won the head-to-head matchup and advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs, losing to Wisconsin–La Crosse in the first round.

The Olivet Comets led the MIAA in scoring offense with 388 points in 10 games (38.8 points per game). Hope led the MIAA in scoring defense, allowing only 145 points in 10 games (14.5 points per games).

Conference overview

Conf. rank Team Head coach Overall record Conf. record Points scored Points against
1 (tie) Albion Dustin Beurer 9–2 5–1 357 220
1 (tie) Hope Peter Stuursma 8–2 5–1 341 145
3 Trine Troy Abbs 6–4 4–2 331 188
4 (tie) Olivet Dan Musielewicz 7–3 3–3 388 212
4 (tie) Adrian Jim Deere 5–5 3–3 276 242
6 Alma Jason Couch 5–5 1–5
7 Kalamazoo Jamie Zorbo 1–9 0–6

All-MIAA honors

At the end of the regular season in November 2021, the MIAA head coaches voted on individual honors, including the following:[1]

  • Most Valuable Offensive Player - Justin Thomas, Albion, wide receiver
  • Most Valuable Defensive Player - Mitch Arendsen, Albion, defensive end
  • Pete Schmidt Memorial Scholar Athlete Award - Justin White, Trine

The following players received first-team honors on the 2021 All-MIAA football team:[1]

Offense

  • Quarterback - Jack Bush, Albion
  • Running backs - Cortaveon Barnett, Olivet; Steven Moses, Adrian
  • Wide receivers - Terrell Harris, Hope; Justin Thomas, Albion; Bubba Wilson, Kalamazoo
  • Tight end - Seth Young, Olivet
  • Offensive line - Christopher Beck, Olivet; Brady Eding, Hope; Luke Marsh, Hope; Jarret Nighswander, Albion; Ben Pelletier, Adrian

Defense

  • Defensive line - Mitch Arendsen, Albion; Jamon Gibson, Trine; Alonzo Grigsby, Olivet; Ta'Mar Heart-Wilkins, Olivet
  • Linebackers - Jeremiah Major, Albion; Kyle Minder, Adrian; Kyle Naif, Trine; Odin Soffredine, Alma
  • Defensive backs - Keysean Arnison, Trine; Brady Howe, Hope; Jack Kretzschmar, Alma; John Wester, Albion

Special teams

  • Kicker - Ryan Hibbetts, Trine
  • Punter - Austin Behnke, Adrian
  • Return specialist - Josh Davis, Trine

Teams

Albion

2021 Albion Britons football
MIAA co-champion
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record9–2 (5–1 MIAA)
Head coach
Home stadiumSprankle-Sprandel Stadium
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →

The 2021 Albion Britons football team represented the Albion College as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 2021 NCAA Division III football season. Under head coach Dustin Beurer, the Britons compiled a 9–1 record in the regular season (5–1 against conference opponents), tied for the MIAA championship, and lost to Wisconsin–La Crosse in the first round of the NCAA Division III Football Championship playoffs.[2]

In December 2021, coach Beurer was selected by the American Football Coaches Association as the Regional Coach of the Year for Region 4. Two Alma players, wide receiver Justin Thomas and defensive end Mitch Arendsen, were selected as the MIAA Offensive and Defensive Most Valuable Players.[3]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 4at Mount St. Joseph*
W 36–20578[4]
September 11at Defiance*
W 51–0250[5][6]
September 18Hanover*
W 24–14[7]
September 25Wisconsin–Eau Claire*
  • Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium
  • Albion, MI
W 23–20446[8]
October 9at Adrian
L 7–211,840[9][10]
October 16at Kalamazoo
  • Angell Field
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 49–0[11]
October 23Olivet
  • Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium
  • Albion, MI
W 38–173,817[12]
October 30Trine
  • Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium
  • Albion, MI
W 31–242,683[13]
November 6at Hope
  • Ray and Sue Smith Stadium
  • Holland, MI
W 41–382,930[14]
November 13Alma
  • Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium
  • Albion, MI
W 34–83,408
November 20Wisconsin–La Crosse*
L 23–58975[15][16]
  • *Non-conference game

[17]

Hope

2021 Hope Flying Dutchmen football
MIAA co-champion
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record8–2 (5–1 MIAA)
Head coach
Home stadiumRay & Sue Smith Stadium
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →

The 2021 Hope Flying Dutchmen football team represented Hope College as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 2021 NCAA Division III football season. Under head coach Peter Stuursma, the Dutchmen compiled an 8–2 record (5–1 against conference opponents) and tied for the MIAA championship

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 3Anderson
  • Ray and Sue Smith Stadium
  • Holland, MI
W 42–7
September 11at Coe
  • Clark Field
  • Cedar Rapids, IA
L 21–28472
September 18Rose-Hulman
  • Ray and Sue Smith Stadium
  • Holland, MI
W 27–20
September 25Northwestern (MN)
  • Ray and Sue Smith Stadium
  • Holland, MI
W 52–10
October 2Kalamazoo
  • Ray and Sue Smith Stadium
  • Holland, MI
W 67–0
October 16at Olivet
  • Cutler Athletic Complex
  • Olivet, MI
W 31–162,555
October 23Adrian
  • Ray and Sue Smith Stadium
  • Holland, MI
W 19–72,510
October 30at Alma
  • Bahlke Field
  • Alma, MI
W 27–3
November 6Albion
  • Ray and Sue Smith Stadium
  • Holland, MI
L 38–412,930
November 13at Trine
  • Fred Zollner Athletic Stadium
  • Angola, IN
W 17–134,219

[18]

Trine

2021 Trine Thunder football
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record6–4 (4–2 MIAA)
Head coach
Home stadiumFred Zollner Athletic Stadium
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →

The 2021 Trine Thunder football team represented the Trine University as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 2021 NCAA Division III football season. Under head coach Troy Abbs, the Thunder compiled a 6–4 record (4–2 against conference opponents) and finished in third place in the MIAA.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 2at Manchester*N. Manchester, INW 52–14
September 11Rose-Hulman*
  • Fred Zollner Athletic Stadium
  • Angola, IN
L 31–30
September 18Mount St. Joseph*
  • Fred Zollner Athletic Stadium
  • Angola, IN
W 31–30 OT
September 25at Centre*
  • Farris Stadium
  • Danville, KY
L 14–7
October 2Adrian
  • Fred Zollner Athletic Stadium
  • Angola, IN
W 36–20
October 9at OlivetOlivet, MIW 35–14
October 23Kalamazoo
  • Fred Zollner Athletic Stadium
  • Angola, IN
W 47–13
October 30at AlbionAlbion, MIL 31–24
November 6at AlmaAlma, MIW 37–23
November 13Hope
  • Fred Zollner Athletic Stadium
  • Angola, IN
L 17–13
  • *Non-conference game

[19]

Olivet

2021 Olivet Comets football
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record7–3 (3–3 MIAA)
Head coach
Home stadiumCutler Athletic Complex
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →

The 2021 Olivet Comets football team represented Olivet College as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 2021 NCAA Division III football season. Under head coach Dan Musielewicz, the Comets compiled a 7–3 record (3–3 against conference opponents) and finished in a tie for fourth place in the MIAA.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 11at Eureka*
  • FioRito Stadium
  • Eureka, IL
W 42–23
September 18Manchester (IN)*
  • Cutler Athletic Complex
  • Olivet, MI
W 59–7
September 25at Milsaps*
  • Harper Davis Field
  • Jackson, MS
W 44–27
October 2at AlmaAlma, MIW 33–10
October 9Trine
  • Cutler Athletic Complex
  • Olivet, MI
L 14–35
October 16Hope
  • Cutler Athletic Complex
  • Olivet, MI
L 16–31
October 23at Albion
  • Sprankle-Sprandel
  • Albion, MI
L 17–38
October 30Kalamazoo
  • Cutler Athletic Complex
  • Olivet, MI
W 49–7
November 6at Adrian
  • Docking Stadium
  • Adrian, MI
W 35–28
November 13Finlandia*
  • Cutler Athletic Complex
  • Olivet, MI
W 79–6
  • *Non-conference game

[20]

Adrian

2021 Adrian Bulldogs football
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record5–5 (3–3 MIAA)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorHarry Bailey (7th season)
Home stadiumDocking Stadium
Seasons
← 2019
2022 →

The 2021 Adrian Bulldogs football team represented Adrian College as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 2021 NCAA Division III football season. Under head coach Jim Deere, the Bulldogs compiled a 5–6 record (3–3 against conference opponents) and tied for fourth place in the MIAA.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 4Heidelberg*
  • Docking Stadium
  • Adrian, MI
L 20–482,950
September 11at Hanover*
  • Alumni Stadium
  • Hanover, IN
L 14–212,248
September 18Greenville*dagger
  • Docking Stadium
  • Adrian, MI
W 41–284,500
September 25at Finlandia*
  • McAfee Field
  • Hancock, MI
W 56–6602
October 2at Trine
  • Fred Zollner Athletic Complex
  • Angola, IN
L 20–365,980
October 9Albion
  • Docking Stadium
  • Adrian, MI
W 21–71,840
October 16Alma
  • Docking Stadium
  • Adrian, MI
W 36–212,006
October 23at Hope
  • Ray & Sue Smith Stadium
  • Holland, MI
L 7–192,510
November 6Olivet
  • Docking Stadium
  • Adrian, MI
L 28–351,856
November 13at Kalamazoo
  • Angell Field
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 33–21561
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

[21]

Alma

2021 Alma Scots football
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record5–5 (1–5 MIAA)
Head coach
Home stadiumBahlke Field
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →

The 2021 Alma Scots football team represented Alma College as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 2021 NCAA Division III football season. In their fourth season under head coach Jason Couch, the Scots compiled a 5–5 record (1–5 against conference opponents) and finished in sixth place in the MIAA.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 4Bluffton*
  • Bahlke Field
  • Alma, MI
W 24–6
September 11at Manchester (IN)*N. Manchester, INW 47–23
September 18Anderson (IN)*
  • Bahlke Field
  • Alma, MI (Hall of Fame Game)
W 51–2
September 25at Martin Luther*New Ulm, MNW 35–27
October 2Olivetdagger
  • Bahlke Field
  • Alma, MI
L 10–33
October 9at Kalamazoo
  • Angell Field
  • Kalamazoo, MI
W 28–3
October 16at AdrianAdrian, MIL 21–36
October 30Hope
  • Bahlke Field
  • Alma, MI
L 3–27
November 6Trine
  • Bahlke Field
  • Alma, MI
L 23–37
November 13at AlbionAlbion, MIL 7–34
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

[22]

Kalamazoo

2021 Kalamazoo Hornets football
ConferenceMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record1–9 (0–6 MIAA)
Head coach
Home stadiumAngell Field
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →

The 2021 Kalamazoo Hornets football team represented Kalamazoo College as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) during the 2021 NCAA Division III football season. Under head coach Jamie Zorbo, the Hornets compiled a 1–9 record (0–6 against conference opponents) and finished in last place in the MIAA.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 4at Oberlin*
W 24–17
September 11at Central (IA)*Pella, IAL 13–69
September 18Bluffton*
L 20–21
September 25Alfred*
  • Angell Field
  • Kalamazoo, MI
L 7–10
October 2at Hope
L 0–67
October 9Alma
  • Angell Field
  • Kalamazoo, MI
L 3–28
October 16Albiondagger
  • Angell Field
  • Kalamazoo, MI
L 0–49
October 23at Trine
L 13–47
October 30at Olivet
L 7–49
November 13Adrian
  • Angell Field
  • Kalamazoo, MI
L 21–33
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

[23]

References

  1. ^ a b "All-MIAA Football 2021". Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. November 16, 2021. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  2. ^ Morgan DeRose (April 29, 2022). "Albion Football Reflects on Previous Season, Prepares for Next". The Albion Pleiad.
  3. ^ "Beurer tabbed AFCA Regional Coach of the Year". Alma College. December 6, 2021.
  4. ^ "Albion 35, Mount St. Joeeph 20". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  5. ^ "College football: Defiance falls in home opener to Albion". The Crescent News. September 11, 2021.
  6. ^ "Albion 51, Defiance 0". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  7. ^ "Football gets 'Major' win in home opener". Albion College. September 18, 2021.
  8. ^ Cara Dempski (September 24, 2021). "College football: UW-Eau Claire falls to Albion in non-conference finale". Leader-Telegram.
  9. ^ "NCAA Football Hosts Albion". Adrian College TV. October 9, 2021.
  10. ^ "Albion 7, Adrian 21". Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  11. ^ "Football Falls to Albion on Homecoming". Kalamazoon College. October 16, 2021.
  12. ^ "Homecoming Kings: Albion rolls past Olivet". D3Football.com. October 23, 2021.
  13. ^ "Football Stumbles at Albion". Trine University Athletics. October 30, 2021.
  14. ^ Will Kennedy (November 7, 2021). "Hope falls to Albion in heavyweight battle". The Holland Sentinel.
  15. ^ "Dominant in opening round". The La Crosse Tribune. November 21, 2021. pp. C1, C2 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Kirkland Crawford (November 21, 2021). "Wisconsin-La Crosse 58, Albion 23". Detroit Free Press. p. 4D – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "2021 Football". Gobrits.com. Albion College. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  18. ^ "2021 Football". Hope Athletics. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  19. ^ "2021 Trine Football Schedulle". Trine University. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  20. ^ "2021 Olivet College Football Schedule". Olivet College. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  21. ^ "2021 Football Schedule". Adrian College Athletics. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  22. ^ "2021 Alma College Football Schedule". Alma College. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  23. ^ "2021 Kalamazoo College Football Schedule". Kalamazoo College. Retrieved March 30, 2023.