Mustangs seek redemption in Denton (Photo by John Schreiber, The Daily Campus)
After a tough loss to Texas Tech last week, the road gets a little easier for the Mustangs. They travel to Denton to face the University of North Texas. UNT lost last week to reigning national champions, the University of Texas, 56-7.
Last season the Mean Green went 2-9, being outscored 346 to 148 by their opponents. UNT was unable to reach the 100-yard mark, but did reach the end zone.
SMU needs to have a more productive offensive game than last week. DeMyron Martin needs to have a standout game, and Justin Willis needs to come into his own as the leader of the offense.
The Mustang defense looked strong, just overpowered by the Texas Tech offense. If SMU’s “D” can keep it up, points will be hard to come by for Mustang opponents.
One standout layer on defense was senior transfer Randall Goode who participated in a team high 11 tackles against the Red Raiders. Also Corey Muse looked strong and recorded the only sack of the game for the Mustangs. And Head Coach Phil Bennett pointed out the play of Adrian Haywood and his ability to occupy a double team in order to free up his teammates.
On offense no one looked spectacular. Seniors Bobby Chase and Reynaldo Pellerin each caught three passes for just over 20 yards each. And Martin was only able to gain 30-yards, and Willis was the leading rusher with 39-yards.
The Mustangs need to come out strong and never let up. This could be the crucial game for SMU this season. It can get the season moving in a positive direction and put the Mustangs in a good position to enter Conference play with a 3-1 record.
The Mustangs will face dual quarterbacks Matt Phillips and Woody Wilson. Phillips started the game against UT, but Wilson played a majority of the game, coming off the bench late in the first quarter and not relinquishing the role until the fourth quarter. Phillips averaged only 1.7 yards per pass, and fumbled once in the end zone, resulting in a Longhorn touchdown. Wilson went five of six and threw for the Mean Green’s only touchdown.
The Mustangs are facing a team who was worse on third-down efficiency than they were. SMU will have to not just play strong on the opening two drives, but keep the pressure up through all four quarters.
The Mustangs should pick up their first win of the season in Denton.
Keys to success:
The Mustangs need to control the ball. They were even with Texas Tech with one turnover each, but SMU’s turnover ended their best scoring chance of the game and it turned into seven points for the Red Raiders.
Move the ball. The Mustangs were terrible on third down conversions, including several three and outs. The ability to keep drives going will be crucial for SMU.
No penalties. SMU was penalized eight times for 67-yards, including a string of three consecutive illegal procedure calls.
Intensity. SMU came out strong against Tech, forcing an opening-drive punt and then taking the ball down the field for a field goal. That was the only point of the game in which the Mustangs looked strong on both sides of the ball.
