Est. 1869 · A Companion Lineage The Losers Belt

The Losers Belt (FCS)

The real belt passes to whoever BEATS the holder. This one is its mirror image: it passes to whoever LOSES to the holder — you catch it the way you’d catch a cold, by losing to the team that currently has it. Lose again, and you keep it (you’re still the reigning worst team in the country). Win, and whoever you just beat catches it from you. It starts the same place the real belt does: Princeton, who lost the very first college football game ever played, 6–4 to Rutgers on November 6, 1869. This one is restricted to FCS programs only — both sides of every game have to be FCS, so the belt can never cross up into FBS.

Combined (FBS + FCS)FBS OnlyFCS Only

Lost to the holder? It's yours.

The holder wins a game, and the team that just lost to them catches the Losers Belt.

Lose again? Still yours.

The holder loses again, nothing changes — still the reigning worst team.

Ties: holder retains

Same convention as the real belt — a tie changes nothing either way.

Computed, not curated

Same mechanical, no-editorial-judgment approach as the real belt — just run in reverse.

One wrinkle: this belt can only pass by losing, so a holder that stops fielding a football team at all would hold it forever under the literal rule — and a lot of this belt’s holders are exactly the kind of small or historic programs that don’t exist anymore. When a holder goes roughly two full seasons without playing a single game, it’s treated as having discontinued football, and the belt reverts to whoever it last caught it from.

St. Thomas (MN) holds the Losers Belt.

Caught it by losing to Presbyterian, 9–23, on November 15, 2025. Lost 1 more game since — still the reigning worst team in the country.

304Days Held
1Losses Since
1869Belt Established
7,583Reigns
477Belt Games
35Programs
Longest Reign
Rhode Island — 16 yrs, 8 days
October 3, 1936 – October 11, 1952
Most Losses, One Reign
Lehigh — 17
starting September 30, 1967
Most Reigns, All-Time
The Citadel — 2491 separate reigns
caught it back 2490 times after passing it on
Reigns 101–200 of 7,583 · page 2 of 76 · Jump to current holder →
#TeamReignLength LossesCaught itPassed it on
101 Wofford November 27, 1981 – November 27, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
102 The Citadel November 28, 1981 – November 28, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
103 East Tennessee State November 29, 1981 – November 29, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
104 Wofford November 30, 1981 – November 30, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
105 The Citadel December 1, 1981 – December 1, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
106 East Tennessee State December 2, 1981 – December 2, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
107 Wofford December 3, 1981 – December 3, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
108 The Citadel December 4, 1981 – December 4, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
109 East Tennessee State December 5, 1981 – December 5, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
110 Wofford December 6, 1981 – December 6, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
111 The Citadel December 7, 1981 – December 7, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
112 East Tennessee State December 8, 1981 – December 8, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
113 Wofford December 9, 1981 – December 9, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
114 The Citadel December 10, 1981 – December 10, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
115 East Tennessee State December 11, 1981 – December 11, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
116 Wofford December 12, 1981 – December 12, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
117 The Citadel December 13, 1981 – December 13, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
118 East Tennessee State December 14, 1981 – December 14, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
119 Wofford December 15, 1981 – December 15, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
120 The Citadel December 16, 1981 – December 16, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
121 East Tennessee State December 17, 1981 – December 17, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
122 Wofford December 18, 1981 – December 18, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
123 The Citadel December 19, 1981 – December 19, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
124 East Tennessee State December 20, 1981 – December 20, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
125 Wofford December 21, 1981 – December 21, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
126 The Citadel December 22, 1981 – December 22, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
127 East Tennessee State December 23, 1981 – December 23, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
128 Wofford December 24, 1981 – December 24, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
129 The Citadel December 25, 1981 – December 25, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
130 East Tennessee State December 26, 1981 – December 26, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
131 Wofford December 27, 1981 – December 27, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
132 The Citadel December 28, 1981 – December 28, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
133 East Tennessee State December 29, 1981 – December 29, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
134 Wofford December 30, 1981 – December 30, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
135 The Citadel December 31, 1981 – December 31, 1981 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
136 East Tennessee State January 1, 1982 – January 1, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
137 Wofford January 2, 1982 – January 2, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
138 The Citadel January 3, 1982 – January 3, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
139 East Tennessee State January 4, 1982 – January 4, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
140 Wofford January 5, 1982 – January 5, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
141 The Citadel January 6, 1982 – January 6, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
142 East Tennessee State January 7, 1982 – January 7, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
143 Wofford January 8, 1982 – January 8, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
144 The Citadel January 9, 1982 – January 9, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
145 East Tennessee State January 10, 1982 – January 10, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
146 Wofford January 11, 1982 – January 11, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
147 The Citadel January 12, 1982 – January 12, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
148 East Tennessee State January 13, 1982 – January 13, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
149 Wofford January 14, 1982 – January 14, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
150 The Citadel January 15, 1982 – January 15, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
151 East Tennessee State January 16, 1982 – January 16, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
152 Wofford January 17, 1982 – January 17, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
153 The Citadel January 18, 1982 – January 18, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
154 East Tennessee State January 19, 1982 – January 19, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
155 Wofford January 20, 1982 – January 20, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
156 The Citadel January 21, 1982 – January 21, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
157 East Tennessee State January 22, 1982 – January 22, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
158 Wofford January 23, 1982 – January 23, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
159 The Citadel January 24, 1982 – January 24, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
160 East Tennessee State January 25, 1982 – January 25, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
161 Wofford January 26, 1982 – January 26, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
162 The Citadel January 27, 1982 – January 27, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
163 East Tennessee State January 28, 1982 – January 28, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
164 Wofford January 29, 1982 – January 29, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
165 The Citadel January 30, 1982 – January 30, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
166 East Tennessee State January 31, 1982 – January 31, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
167 Wofford February 1, 1982 – February 1, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
168 The Citadel February 2, 1982 – February 2, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
169 East Tennessee State February 3, 1982 – February 3, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
170 Wofford February 4, 1982 – February 4, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
171 The Citadel February 5, 1982 – February 5, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
172 East Tennessee State February 6, 1982 – February 6, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
173 Wofford February 7, 1982 – February 7, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
174 The Citadel February 8, 1982 – February 8, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
175 East Tennessee State February 9, 1982 – February 9, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
176 Wofford February 10, 1982 – February 10, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
177 The Citadel February 11, 1982 – February 11, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
178 East Tennessee State February 12, 1982 – February 12, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
179 Wofford February 13, 1982 – February 13, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
180 The Citadel February 14, 1982 – February 14, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
181 East Tennessee State February 15, 1982 – February 15, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
182 Wofford February 16, 1982 – February 16, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
183 The Citadel February 17, 1982 – February 17, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
184 East Tennessee State February 18, 1982 – February 18, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
185 Wofford February 19, 1982 – February 19, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
186 The Citadel February 20, 1982 – February 20, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
187 East Tennessee State February 21, 1982 – February 21, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
188 Wofford February 22, 1982 – February 22, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
189 The Citadel February 23, 1982 – February 23, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
190 East Tennessee State February 24, 1982 – February 24, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
191 Wofford February 25, 1982 – February 25, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
192 The Citadel February 26, 1982 – February 26, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
193 East Tennessee State February 27, 1982 – February 27, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
194 Wofford February 28, 1982 – February 28, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
195 The Citadel March 1, 1982 – March 1, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
196 East Tennessee State March 2, 1982 – March 2, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
197 Wofford March 3, 1982 – March 3, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
198 The Citadel March 4, 1982 – March 4, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
199 East Tennessee State March 5, 1982 – March 5, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
200 Wofford March 6, 1982 – March 6, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football

No reigns match “.”

Reigns 101–200 of 7,583 · page 2 of 76 · Jump to current holder →