Junior running back Zack Line rushes for his second touchdown against the Memphis defense during first half action at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. Saturday. (Associated Press)
SMU quarterback J.J. McDermott led the way for SMU on Saturday throwing for 357-yards and three touchdowns as the Mustangs routed the Memphis Tigers 42-0.
The Mustangs first away win of the season helped the team improve to 3-1 overall, and 2-0 in Conference USA play.
The game marks the first time that the Mustangs have beaten Memphis, and they did it in a dominating fashion. The Mustangs had 519 total yards compared to only 139 for the Tigers. This is the second game in a row now that the Mustangs could rest starters late in the game, which will help keep the team rested and boost the morale of the entire team.
McDermott threw 44 passes tonight to lead the offensive explosion for the Mustangs. This is the first game that McDermott has thrown a touchdown pass as the starting quarterback for SMU, and as he improves the team seems to follow suit. Wide receiver Darius Johnson and Der’Rikk Thompson both had big games as well.
Johnson led the way catching 10 passes for 126-yards and two touchdowns, and Thompson added 6 receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown.
The Mustangs also had success on the ground against Memphis. Zach Line had another big game, he carried the ball 20 times for 136-yards and three touchdowns.
Line now has 11 touchdowns this season and his success has translated into success for the offense. Line has made the red zone offense very productive and he has a knack for finishing drives off once the offense gets it close.
The outstanding play of McDermott and Line makes the Mustangs very difficult to defend because they have the ability to beat teams with the run and the pass.
When speaking about how the defense play against Northwestern State last week Coach June Jones said, “They played well, hard, and physical, I am just disappointed they didn’t get the shutout.”
While there was no room for any disappointment against Memphis on Saturday; the defense got the shutout and it was their first since 1998. The defense has not allowed a point in two consecutive games now and it seems that they take the rhythm away from opposing offenses early and never let them find it. The defense held the Tigers to an impressive 14-yards rushing the entire game. The front seven stopped the run and got to the passer just like the offense.
There couldn’t be a better time for the team to be peaking. Next week the Mustangs will travel to Fort Worth to take on rival TCU who is also 3-1.
The Mustangs have been overshadowed by the Horned Frogs on the football field the last few years but should go in to the game with all of the confidence and skill they need to win.
SMU had four turnovers against Memphis this week, if the Mustangs are going to be successful against TCU that cannot happen again. SMU can go into this game with confidence knowing that the last two games they have played in they blew out their opponents.
