2021 Independent Leaders First Downs - Games vs. Ranked Teams Only (AP Poll) through 01/10/2022
| Name | G | Rush | Pass | Penalty | Total | Total/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Army | 1 | 21 | 5 | 5 | 31 | 31.0 |
| 2 | Liberty | 2 | 25 | 18 | 4 | 47 | 23.5 |
| 3 | Notre Dame | 2 | 4 | 39 | 3 | 46 | 23.0 |
| 4 | BYU | 3 | 28 | 29 | 1 | 58 | 19.3 |
| 5 | New Mexico State | 4 | 20 | 45 | 6 | 71 | 17.8 |
| 6 | Connecticut | 2 | 7 | 12 | 4 | 23 | 11.5 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 1 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 11.0 |