2021 FCS Season Preview: Southeastern Louisiana
Head coach Frank Scelfo has Southeastern Louisiana (4-3, 4-2) poised to make a run at the Southland title and an FCS playoff berth this year.
The Lions’ three losses were to teams who either made the FCS playoffs this spring or would have probably made the playoffs if the field had not been reduced to eight teams.
Walter Payton Award winner Cole Kelley (2,662 yards, 18 TDs) will lead the Lions at quarterback. The Lion defense will need to improve this year to compete for the conference title and a playoff berth after allowing 36.4 points and 521.4 yards per game in the spring season.
Impact Players
QB Cole Kelley: Was named 2021 Athlon Sports FCS Preseason All-American (First Team) and won the STATS Walter Payton Award as the nation’s best FCS football played in the Spring season.
WR C.J. Turner: In six games, recorded 44 catches for 534 yards and five touchdowns.
DB Ferlando Jordan: Credited with season-high seven tackles and two pass breakups at Sam Houston.
Key Game: November 18 vs. Nicholls.
Southeastern Louisiana
| Home | Away | Venue | Match Day | TV/Streaming | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North Alabama  |  Southeastern Louisiana | Strawberry Stadium | Hammond, LA | - | - |
| Southeastern Louisiana |  Louisiana Tech | Joe Aillet Stadium | Ruston, LA | ESPN3 | - |
| Southeastern Louisiana |  Central Conn State | Arute Field | New Britain, CT | - | - |
Northwestern State  | Southeastern Louisiana | Strawberry Stadium | Hammond, LA | - | - |
| Southeastern Louisiana |  McNeese | Cowboy Stadium | Lake Charles, LA | - | - |
| Southeastern Louisiana |  Nicholls | Guidry Stadium | Thibodaux, LA | - | - |
Houston Christian  | Southeastern Louisiana | Strawberry Stadium | Hammond, LA | - | - |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Northwestern State | Turpin Stadium | Natchitoches, LA | - | - |
| McNeese | Southeastern Louisiana | Strawberry Stadium | Hammond, LA | - | - |
| Southeastern Louisiana |  Incarnate Word | Benson Stadium | San Antonio, TX | - | - |
| Nicholls | Southeastern Louisiana | Strawberry Stadium | Hammond, LA | - | - |
Worst Case: The offense keeps piling on the points, but the defense keeps giving up points at the same rate or worse.
Best Case: The defense figures enough out to outlast all of its Southland competition, and returns to the FCS Playoffs after Thanksgiving.
Rob Butler is a lifelong Texas A&M football fan – his family is full of A&M graduates. He graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas with two degrees – a BBA in Finance and an MBA. His hobbies include jogging and reading books pertaining to college football.
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