SMU’s Brian McCann gets hit by Tulsa’s DeAundre Brown while attempting to receive a punt in the second quarter of Saturday’s game at Ford Stadium. (Lindsey Perkins)
According to head coach June Jones the game against Tulsa was the first time all season the Mustangs played a full game. SMU will need to continue that tomorrow against Houston.
“We gave ourselves a chance to win at the end and we just came up short,” Jones said.
The Mustangs showed signs of what they will look like under Jones in last week’s 37-31 loss, but still came up short.
Senior linebacker Will Bonilla said the Tulsa game was emotionally draining. For the team to be so close, but not get the win was tough, but he said they will be ready to go back and do it again on Saturday.
Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell continued his rollercoaster season on Saturday throwing four touchdowns to four different receivers, but threw a costly interception late in the game. Jones said he thinks things are starting to click for Mitchell, and Mitchell agreed saying the game is starting to slow down for him.
“I thought he played better, and he’s getting better every week,” Jones said about Mitchell.
Even though the Mustangs played their most complete game of the season, things did not go well in the fourth quarter. SMU gave up 13 points, didn’t score and committed its only turnover.
“I don’t think it’s the fourth quarter necessarily,” Jones said. “We just had the one interception that led to a touchdown for them.”
Injuries have once again become an issue for the Mustangs. The offensive line is beaten up, and upon finding a running game with Chris Butler, he was injured and did not finish the game.
“[Butler]’s on crutches [Monday] so I don’t think he’ll be available,” Jones said on Monday.
DeMyron Martin got his first carries after playing only special teams against UCF and most of the game against Tulsa after Butler left. Martin carried the ball five times for 30 yards.
The defense gave up over 600 yards of total offense against the Mustangs, but SMU held them to just 37 points, well under their season average. The defense also created a positive turnover margin for the first time since the Texas State game.
Jones said that he felt SMU was more physical against Tulsa in every aspect, including big hits on defense.
“You’re there at the end of the game, you’ve got to learn how to win at the end of the game and that’s part of the way to change the culture of losing,” Jones said. “The kids expected to win.”
They get that chance tomorrow at 7 p.m. against Houston at Ford Stadium.
