NEWBERRY, S.C. — Newberry College's 2021 season highlights include winning the South Atlantic Conference regular season championship and advancing to the second round of the Division II playoffs for the first time since 2006.
The American Football Coaches Association has taken note and in the final Top 25, the AFCA has Newberry College ranked 17th after being unranked in the previous poll although it was in the "also receiving votes category".
Newberry College finished the season 10-3. After a 24-14 loss to North Greenville in week two, the Wolves dropped a 28-22 overtime decision at Mars Hill and a 13-10 decision at Bowie State in the second round of the national playoffs.
For the record, Bowie State finished sixth in the final AFCA rankings and West Florida, who Newberry defeated in the opening round of the playoffs, was 12th. The Wolves went on the road won that contest 33-30 against a WFU team which was the last recognized national champion (2019).
The season also saw Newberry College head coach Todd Knight become the program's all-time winningest coach. The reigning SAC Coach of the Year, Knight will enter the 2022 campaign with an 80-60 career record in 13 seasons. Also, Newberry College defensive back Anthony Blue earned Associated Press All-America Second Team honors.