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 7,401–7,500 of 7,583 · page 75 of 76 · Jump to current holder →
#TeamReignLength LossesCaught itPassed it on
7401 The Citadel November 22, 2001 – November 22, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7402 East Tennessee State November 23, 2001 – November 23, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7403 Wofford November 24, 2001 – November 24, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7404 The Citadel November 25, 2001 – November 25, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7405 East Tennessee State November 26, 2001 – November 26, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7406 Wofford November 27, 2001 – November 27, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7407 The Citadel November 28, 2001 – November 28, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7408 East Tennessee State November 29, 2001 – November 29, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7409 Wofford November 30, 2001 – November 30, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7410 The Citadel December 1, 2001 – December 1, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7411 East Tennessee State December 2, 2001 – December 2, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7412 Wofford December 3, 2001 – December 3, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7413 The Citadel December 4, 2001 – December 4, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7414 East Tennessee State December 5, 2001 – December 5, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7415 Wofford December 6, 2001 – December 6, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7416 The Citadel December 7, 2001 – December 7, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7417 East Tennessee State December 8, 2001 – December 8, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7418 Wofford December 9, 2001 – December 9, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7419 The Citadel December 10, 2001 – December 10, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7420 East Tennessee State December 11, 2001 – December 11, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7421 Wofford December 12, 2001 – December 12, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7422 The Citadel December 13, 2001 – December 13, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7423 East Tennessee State December 14, 2001 – December 14, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7424 Wofford December 15, 2001 – December 15, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7425 The Citadel December 16, 2001 – December 16, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7426 East Tennessee State December 17, 2001 – December 17, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7427 Wofford December 18, 2001 – December 18, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7428 The Citadel December 19, 2001 – December 19, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7429 East Tennessee State December 20, 2001 – December 20, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7430 Wofford December 21, 2001 – December 21, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7431 The Citadel December 22, 2001 – December 22, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7432 East Tennessee State December 23, 2001 – December 23, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7433 Wofford December 24, 2001 – December 24, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7434 The Citadel December 25, 2001 – December 25, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7435 East Tennessee State December 26, 2001 – December 26, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7436 Wofford December 27, 2001 – December 27, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7437 The Citadel December 28, 2001 – December 28, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7438 East Tennessee State December 29, 2001 – December 29, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7439 Wofford December 30, 2001 – December 30, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7440 The Citadel December 31, 2001 – December 31, 2001 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7441 East Tennessee State January 1, 2002 – January 1, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7442 Wofford January 2, 2002 – January 2, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7443 The Citadel January 3, 2002 – January 3, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7444 East Tennessee State January 4, 2002 – January 4, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7445 Wofford January 5, 2002 – January 5, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7446 The Citadel January 6, 2002 – January 6, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7447 East Tennessee State January 7, 2002 – January 7, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7448 Wofford January 8, 2002 – January 8, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7449 The Citadel January 9, 2002 – January 9, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7450 East Tennessee State January 10, 2002 – January 10, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7451 Wofford January 11, 2002 – January 11, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7452 The Citadel January 12, 2002 – January 12, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7453 East Tennessee State January 13, 2002 – January 13, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7454 Wofford January 14, 2002 – January 14, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7455 The Citadel January 15, 2002 – January 15, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7456 East Tennessee State January 16, 2002 – January 16, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7457 Wofford January 17, 2002 – January 17, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7458 The Citadel January 18, 2002 – January 18, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7459 East Tennessee State January 19, 2002 – January 19, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7460 Wofford January 20, 2002 – January 20, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7461 The Citadel January 21, 2002 – January 21, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7462 East Tennessee State January 22, 2002 – January 22, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7463 Wofford January 23, 2002 – January 23, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7464 The Citadel January 24, 2002 – January 24, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7465 East Tennessee State January 25, 2002 – January 25, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7466 Wofford January 26, 2002 – January 26, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7467 The Citadel January 27, 2002 – January 27, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7468 East Tennessee State January 28, 2002 – January 28, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7469 Wofford January 29, 2002 – January 29, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7470 The Citadel January 30, 2002 – January 30, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7471 East Tennessee State January 31, 2002 – January 31, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7472 Wofford February 1, 2002 – February 1, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7473 The Citadel February 2, 2002 – February 2, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7474 East Tennessee State February 3, 2002 – February 3, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7475 Wofford February 4, 2002 – February 4, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7476 The Citadel February 5, 2002 – February 5, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7477 East Tennessee State February 6, 2002 – February 6, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7478 Wofford February 7, 2002 – February 7, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7479 The Citadel February 8, 2002 – February 8, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7480 East Tennessee State February 9, 2002 – February 9, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7481 Wofford February 10, 2002 – February 10, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7482 The Citadel February 11, 2002 – February 11, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7483 East Tennessee State February 12, 2002 – February 12, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7484 Wofford February 13, 2002 – February 13, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7485 The Citadel February 14, 2002 – February 14, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7486 East Tennessee State February 15, 2002 – February 15, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7487 Wofford February 16, 2002 – February 16, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7488 The Citadel February 17, 2002 – February 17, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7489 East Tennessee State February 18, 2002 – February 18, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7490 Wofford February 19, 2002 – February 19, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7491 The Citadel February 20, 2002 – February 20, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7492 East Tennessee State February 21, 2002 – February 21, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7493 Wofford February 22, 2002 – February 22, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7494 The Citadel February 23, 2002 – February 23, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7495 East Tennessee State February 24, 2002 – February 24, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7496 Wofford February 25, 2002 – February 25, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7497 The Citadel February 26, 2002 – February 26, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7498 East Tennessee State February 27, 2002 – February 27, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after The Citadel stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7499 Wofford February 28, 2002 – February 28, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after East Tennessee State stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football
7500 The Citadel March 1, 2002 – March 1, 2002 0 days 0 reverted after Wofford stopped playing vacated — stopped playing football

No reigns match “.”

Reigns 7,401–7,500 of 7,583 · page 75 of 76 · Jump to current holder →