‘Stangs prepare to hold off Raiders
There will be no fireworks before the game at Gerald J. Ford Stadium Saturday. Head coach Phil Bennett and the Mustangs are hoping there are none during the game, as well.
An explosive Texas Tech offense visits the Hilltop with nothing on its mind but detonating after a disappointing performance against No. 12 Ohio State. Tech’s offense was held in check for three quarters, falling 45-21 in Ohio.
SMU hopes its defense can rebound from an uncharacteristic 38-point flood from the Navy squadron. The Mustangs’ goal is to keep Texas Tech senior quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate Kliff Kingbury from igniting an offense know for producing major points and yardage.
Bennett, like much of the nation, is high on Kingbury.
“He has great vision on the field,” Bennett said. “A lot of people don’t think he can throw the deep ball, but he’s proven to me that he can throw the deep ball.”
Kingsbury is easily one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. The receiving corps that helped him set 33 individual school records returns almost completely in tact. Out of the five receivers who will be used, sophomore Clay Maguire is the youngest of the group.
Red Raider head coach Mike Leach has coached some of the best quarterbacks in recent college football history. As an offensive coordinator, Leach guided Oklahoma’s Josh Heupel and Kentucky’s Tim Couch to careers in the NFL. However, Kingsbury and his mastery of Leach’s offense will be the focus of the SMU defense.
“Kliff Kingsbury knows what he’s doing in that offense,” Bennett said. “He has a great grasp of what Mike wants him to do.”
What Leach wants Kingsbury to do is spread the field. Kingsbury connected with eight different receivers against the Buckeyes and will look to attack the SMU defense.
Against Navy, an option offense, SMU gave up three plays of more than 35 yards in the second quarter alone. A win against Texas Tech will have to come through solid defense and sound mental football. Defensive breakdowns against Kingsbury and the Raiders could prove more than costly.
The Mustangs will rely heavily on their senior cornerbacks, Jonas Rutledge and Kevin Garrett. Their downfield speed and coverage ability will be vital to containing the Tech offense. Bennett has no concerns about having Garrett lined up against any of the Texas Tech wideouts.
“The way [Kevin Garrett] is playing, I think he can cover anybody,” Bennett said. “Every day he practices, he gets better.”
Ohio State true freshman runningback Maurice Clarett rolled through the Raider defense for 175 yards. As a team, the Buckeyes had 317 yards on the ground.
The statistics point to a match-up that bodes well for the Mustangs. SMU’s ground attack performed well against Navy. Sophomore and junior runningbacks ShanDerrick Charles and Keylon Kincade are the strength of the Mustang offense and will be asked to produce early.
SMU will try to control the ball and the clock as much as possible to keep Kingsbury and the Raiders off the field, giving the defensive backs time to rest. Bennett wants to avoid Tech’s offense getting off early because SMU is not built for big comebacks.
Sophomore quarterback Tate Wallis showed some room for growth and a competitive fire in last week’s loss to Navy, but the offense revolves around the run. Asking most young quarterbacks to overcome a 28-7 halftime deficit is too much against any defense.
This game could mean a lot for SMU’s season and future. A win against the scoring-intensive Texas Tech in Dallas could renew an old Southwestern Conference rivalry – a series that SMU leads 25-16.
“It could be a real jump-start for this program,” Bennett said. “Tech has a lot of alumni in the metroplex. It should be an exciting night.”
After the disappointment against Navy, the Texas Tech contest will be as much a test of mental toughness as physical and tactical ability. Tech faces a similar situation having sputtered against Ohio State.
“If we can create some doubt in them early,” Bennett said, “who knows what can happen in the game.”
