The undefeated SMU Mustangs (2-0, 1-0 Conference USA) will travel to Pullman, Wash. to face the winless Washington State Cougars (0-2, 0-1) from the Pac-10 on Saturday.
The Mustangs are looking to start the season 3-0 for the first time since 1984, which was also the last time they went to a bowl game.
It would be easy to get complacent as the Mustangs play their third game, but senior linebacker Chase Kennemer said he does not believe that will be a problem considering the magnitude of the game.
“It’s been since the death penalty that SMU has started a season with three wins. Things like that keep us motivated,” he said.
Last week, the Cougars played the University of Hawaii, going up against an offense similar to the Mustangs. Though the Cougars lost 38-20, they adjusted their defensive scheme from a 3-4 to a 4-3 at halftime. This change led Hawaii to score only one touchdown in the second half, which is a marked improvement from the four touchdowns given up in the first half.
Since the Mustangs do not know whether or not they will face a three- or four-man defensive front, they will have to prepare for both formations.
After last week, SMU senior wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders leads the C-USA in receptions with 8.5 and 107 receiving yards per game. Sander’s 28 career touchdowns also leads active NCAA receivers.
The Mustangs currently lead the NCAA in interceptions with nine in two games. While this rate of turnovers is unlikely to continue all season, that will not stop the defense from trying to repeat last week’s four interceptions against the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Washington State is the biggest and deepest team that the Mustangs will have faced this season. Therefore, Kennemer and the Mustangs are “trying to adjust with what they are going to give us. They have big guys and are a good downhill running team,” according to Kennemer.
Washington State is primarily a running team that features two different running backs. If the Mustangs want to keep forcing turnovers, they will likely have to come in the form of forced fumbles and recoveries.
The Mustangs have never played the Cougars before and have not played a Pac-10 team since 1994.
Playing a team from a larger conference will challenge the Mustangs’ depth and nagging bumps and bruises from their last two wins.
The game in Martin Stadium starts at 2 p.m. and can be heard on KTCK-1310 AM.
