2021 American Athletic Conference Leaders Rushing Defense - Games vs. Ranked Teams Only (AP Poll) through 01/10/2022
| Name | G | Att | Yards | Avg. | TD | Att/G | Yards/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Carolina | 2 | 72 | 230 | 3.19 | 3 | 36.00 | 115.00 |
| 2 | Cincinnati | 3 | 122 | 471 | 3.86 | 1 | 40.67 | 157.00 |
| 3 | SMU | 2 | 79 | 327 | 4.14 | 2 | 39.50 | 163.50 |
| 4 | Navy | 3 | 83 | 372 | 4.48 | 6 | 27.67 | 124.00 |
| 5 | Tulane | 4 | 169 | 759 | 4.49 | 12 | 42.25 | 189.75 |
| 6 | Tulsa | 4 | 151 | 719 | 4.76 | 9 | 37.75 | 179.75 |
| 7 | Memphis | 1 | 37 | 197 | 5.32 | 3 | 37.00 | 197.00 |
| 8 | Temple | 2 | 78 | 496 | 6.36 | 7 | 39.00 | 248.00 |
| 9 | USF | 4 | 140 | 899 | 6.42 | 14 | 35.00 | 224.75 |
| 10 | Houston | 1 | 28 | 210 | 7.50 | 2 | 28.00 | 210.00 |
| 11 | UCF | 1 | 42 | 336 | 8.00 | 6 | 42.00 | 336.00 |