Not only did the Mustangs fall to 1-10 after this weekend’s ninth consecutive loss, putting them just one loss away from last season’s more than disappointing finish. The roster also lost three starters after they were accused of “minor infractions” that violated team rules.

Head coach June Jones came to the Hilltop with one mission: to win. With his first season coming to a close, it’s safe to say Jones isn’t messing around when it comes to turning the football team around. Former head coach Phil Bennett never would have risked benching his star players if it could sacrifice another win. Jones, however, has other plans. Now, we’re not suggesting Jones is incorrect in his decisions; maybe a strict implementation of the rules is just what is needed to get this program back on right track.

Topping the list of suspended players are wide receivers, junior Emmanuel Sanders and sophomore Aldrick Robinson. Upon the announcement of their suspension, it was decided sophomore Josh Bryant, Sander’s cousin, and junior Zach Zimmerman will replace two of the best players on the roster in the final game of the season against Southern Miss next weekend.

Justin Smart, a sophomore linebacker was also suspended for the remainder of the season. Derrius Bell was initially suspended, but was able to win an appeal with Jones’ “three strike” policy. Recovering from an injury, Bell would not have played against UTEP anyway.

While the exact reasoning for the suspensions has not been named, fans can’t be too upset with the decision made by our new coach. With only one game left, these players have nothing to work for. It’s been known for awhile we aren’t going to a bowl game, and rather than letting them finish out the season, these players will hopefully come to respect their new head coach.

With freshman quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell still healing from an injury, maybe Jones thought intensifying Mitchell’s injury wasn’t worth a smaller spread. The same could be determined from the indefinite suspension of the top players. If the team was expecting a loss, why risk injuring the potential stars of next season?

Hopefully with the trio of suspensions, the players will wake up and realize they finally have the opportunity to turn this program around and turn all those losses into wins. It’s somewhat depressing it takes something to this degree to catch the attention of the roster, but at this point there’s really no where to go but up.