When your school mascot was used to name one of America’s most successful sports cars, it is only fitting that SMU head football coach Phil Bennett use a car analogy about his team.
Bennett said that SMU plays like they have a governor on (a governor is a part put on a car’s engine to keep it from exceeding a certain speed) and they have to take it off to get to this team’s full potential.
Quarterbacks are crucial to the success of any football team. The Mustangs appear to have three that will get playing time – but not all at that position.
Red-shirt freshman Zach Rhodes, on the roster as a quarterback, will line up at wide receiver according to Bennett.
When Bennett was asked if he knew whether Rhodes had played receiver before, he responded, “I don’t know, I didn’t ask him. But he can catch, though, and he’s real fast.”
The other two quarterbacks – Justin Willis and Corey Slater – will line up in the backfield.
Bennett said he expects an improved offensive line to help Willis slow down the game and make decisions. Slater’s play will bring him playing time – and not just against Sam Houston State when the Mustangs have a commanding lead or when Willis is unable to play.
Offensively and defensively, the focus has been the lines.
On offense, Ben Poynter has move to left tackle, play from last year’s backups has improved, and Caleb Peveto and Sean Lobo are healthy. Bennett thinks the offensive line can be the difference between missing a bowl game and getting to one next season.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Mustangs are focusing on replacing Zach Rogers, Brandon Bonds and Adrian Haywood, three seniors who anchored the SMU defense last season. Starting on the line will be Cory Muse, returning from last year, Patrick Handy, Chris Parham and Charlie Berry.
Berry returns to the team after not playing last season, but Bennett doesn’t see a drop in his play.
“He’s hungry, he’s strong, and you can tell he’s been around. If he can stay healthy, I think he can be a contender for us,” said Bennett.
Chris Parham, who has been working with Bonds in the weight room, has lost 30 pounds and “looks good.”
The defensive secondary is another area that will have a different look next season. With the departure of Joe Sturdivant, the Mustangs have a hole of talent and leadership to replace.
At the corner position there are three contenders: Brandon Jones, Jonathan Lindly and Brian McCann. But they will see a little competition from red-shirt freshman Tim Crosby.
Brice Hudman is a lock to start at safety this season. The other safety position is a battle between newly moved David Haynes and Rock Dennis.
The position that might have the most depth for the Mustangs this season is the running back spot.
While visions of DeMyron Martin playing a full season and showing what he did during his freshman season might be in fans minds, there are other competitors who will see time on the field.
Two, James Mapps and Cedrick Dorsey, saw playing time while Martin was injured last season.
Dorsey, a senior, “will get more of a feature role,” Bennett said. But it is Chris Butler, another red-shirt freshman, who could surprise a lot of people like Mapps did a season ago.
Bennett said that they will run a lot of two-back formations. When using a single man in the backfield, he said, the team will be able to use players in “specialized” roles.
Last season a lot of people thought it was the team’s defense that kept SMU in football games.
In 2007, it could be the offense that runs away with victories. Either way, the Mustangs are looking to improve and get to the milestone of postseason play.
