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.

305Days 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 401–500 of 7,583 · page 5 of 76 · Jump to current holder →
#TeamReignLength LossesCaught itPassed it on
401 Wofford September 23, 1982 – September 23, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
402 The Citadel September 24, 1982 – September 24, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
403 East Tennessee State September 25, 1982 – September 25, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
404 Wofford September 26, 1982 – September 26, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
405 The Citadel September 27, 1982 – September 27, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
406 East Tennessee State September 28, 1982 – September 28, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
407 Wofford September 29, 1982 – September 29, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
408 The Citadel September 30, 1982 – September 30, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
409 East Tennessee State October 1, 1982 – October 1, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
410 Wofford October 2, 1982 – October 2, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
411 The Citadel October 3, 1982 – October 3, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
412 East Tennessee State October 4, 1982 – October 4, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
413 Wofford October 5, 1982 – October 5, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
414 The Citadel October 6, 1982 – October 6, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
415 East Tennessee State October 7, 1982 – October 7, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
416 Wofford October 8, 1982 – October 8, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
417 The Citadel October 9, 1982 – October 9, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
418 East Tennessee State October 10, 1982 – October 10, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
419 Wofford October 11, 1982 – October 11, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
420 The Citadel October 12, 1982 – October 12, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
421 East Tennessee State October 13, 1982 – October 13, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
422 Wofford October 14, 1982 – October 14, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
423 The Citadel October 15, 1982 – October 15, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
424 East Tennessee State October 16, 1982 – October 16, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
425 Wofford October 17, 1982 – October 17, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
426 The Citadel October 18, 1982 – October 18, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
427 East Tennessee State October 19, 1982 – October 19, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
428 Wofford October 20, 1982 – October 20, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
429 The Citadel October 21, 1982 – October 21, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
430 East Tennessee State October 22, 1982 – October 22, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
431 Wofford October 23, 1982 – October 23, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
432 The Citadel October 24, 1982 – October 24, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
433 East Tennessee State October 25, 1982 – October 25, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
434 Wofford October 26, 1982 – October 26, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
435 The Citadel October 27, 1982 – October 27, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
436 East Tennessee State October 28, 1982 – October 28, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
437 Wofford October 29, 1982 – October 29, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
438 The Citadel October 30, 1982 – October 30, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
439 East Tennessee State October 31, 1982 – October 31, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
440 Wofford November 1, 1982 – November 1, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
441 The Citadel November 2, 1982 – November 2, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
442 East Tennessee State November 3, 1982 – November 3, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
443 Wofford November 4, 1982 – November 4, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
444 The Citadel November 5, 1982 – November 5, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
445 East Tennessee State November 6, 1982 – November 6, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
446 Wofford November 7, 1982 – November 7, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
447 The Citadel November 8, 1982 – November 8, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
448 East Tennessee State November 9, 1982 – November 9, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
449 Wofford November 10, 1982 – November 10, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
450 The Citadel November 11, 1982 – November 11, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
451 East Tennessee State November 12, 1982 – November 12, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
452 Wofford November 13, 1982 – November 13, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
453 The Citadel November 14, 1982 – November 14, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
454 East Tennessee State November 15, 1982 – November 15, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
455 Wofford November 16, 1982 – November 16, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
456 The Citadel November 17, 1982 – November 17, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
457 East Tennessee State November 18, 1982 – November 18, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
458 Wofford November 19, 1982 – November 19, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
459 The Citadel November 20, 1982 – November 20, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
460 East Tennessee State November 21, 1982 – November 21, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
461 Wofford November 22, 1982 – November 22, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
462 The Citadel November 23, 1982 – November 23, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
463 East Tennessee State November 24, 1982 – November 24, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
464 Wofford November 25, 1982 – November 25, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
465 The Citadel November 26, 1982 – November 26, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
466 East Tennessee State November 27, 1982 – November 27, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
467 Wofford November 28, 1982 – November 28, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
468 The Citadel November 29, 1982 – November 29, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
469 East Tennessee State November 30, 1982 – November 30, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
470 Wofford December 1, 1982 – December 1, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
471 The Citadel December 2, 1982 – December 2, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
472 East Tennessee State December 3, 1982 – December 3, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
473 Wofford December 4, 1982 – December 4, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
474 The Citadel December 5, 1982 – December 5, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
475 East Tennessee State December 6, 1982 – December 6, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
476 Wofford December 7, 1982 – December 7, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
477 The Citadel December 8, 1982 – December 8, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
478 East Tennessee State December 9, 1982 – December 9, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
479 Wofford December 10, 1982 – December 10, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
480 The Citadel December 11, 1982 – December 11, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
481 East Tennessee State December 12, 1982 – December 12, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
482 Wofford December 13, 1982 – December 13, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
483 The Citadel December 14, 1982 – December 14, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
484 East Tennessee State December 15, 1982 – December 15, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
485 Wofford December 16, 1982 – December 16, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
486 The Citadel December 17, 1982 – December 17, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
487 East Tennessee State December 18, 1982 – December 18, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
488 Wofford December 19, 1982 – December 19, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
489 The Citadel December 20, 1982 – December 20, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
490 East Tennessee State December 21, 1982 – December 21, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
491 Wofford December 22, 1982 – December 22, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
492 The Citadel December 23, 1982 – December 23, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
493 East Tennessee State December 24, 1982 – December 24, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
494 Wofford December 25, 1982 – December 25, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
495 The Citadel December 26, 1982 – December 26, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
496 East Tennessee State December 27, 1982 – December 27, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
497 Wofford December 28, 1982 – December 28, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
498 The Citadel December 29, 1982 – December 29, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
499 East Tennessee State December 30, 1982 – December 30, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
500 Wofford December 31, 1982 – December 31, 1982 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football

No reigns match “.”

Reigns 401–500 of 7,583 · page 5 of 76 · Jump to current holder →