Zack Sledge had to dive to make this 21-yard touchdown reception. It was Sledge’s second of the game and kept the Mustangs close. SMU couldn’t complete the comeback against Houston. (John Schreiber)
Watch writers Jordan Hofeditz and Mark Norris discuss this Saturday’s SMU vs. Rice game in a video preview.
There is no other way to say it: The Mustangs need a win, and this might be their last chance of the season.
The Mustangs come into the game with a 1-8 record, a 0-5 conference record and in the middle of a seven-game losing streak.
SMU has played some of its best games of the season in the past two weeks, but have still come up short.
Against Tulsa it came down to not being able to score a touchdown from the one-yard line, and allowing the Golden Hurricane to drive the ball down the field and score the game-winning touchdown.
Against Houston the Mustangs took themselves out of it early with costly turnovers that the Cougars took advantage of. Houston scored 17 points of the four, first-half turnovers and won the game by 10.
The defense has finally started to play at a competitive level.
Against Tulsa they held the third best offense in the nation in check and never allowed quarterback Paul Smith to get in a rhythm.
Against Houston, the Mustangs held their ground. Anthony Alridge, with the exception of the 36-yard touchdown run, did not dominate the game on the ground like he did one year ago.
But that still hasn’t been enough to get the Mustangs just their second win of the season.
The defense has stepped up, and now it is time for the offense to do the same.
Coming into the season, it was the offense that was supposed to carry SMU, but in close games when they need a touchdown either to stay in the game or to put the other team away, it hasn’t come.
With the exception of the final minute drive against Tulane, SMU hasn’t been able to get the big touchdown.
Against Tulsa it would have been scoring from the one-yard line to put the game out of the Golden Hurricane’s reach. And last week in Houston the Mustangs were scoreless in a fourth quarter when they were down by just 10.
Willis has shown moments of greatness followed by moments of questionable decisions.
The Mustangs drove the ball 80 yards on their first drive of the game, completed by a four-yard touchdown run by Willis. SMU took an early 7-0 lead.
But on just the next possession Willis made a poor pass and the ball was intercepted by Houston.
The following drive was another touchdown for SMU, this time a 17-yard pass to Emmanuel Sanders. But that was the last time the Mustangs would score in the half, and Willis would give the ball to Houston three more times, all fumbles.
Against a Rice offense that put up 56 points against UTEP last weekend, the Mustangs’ offense might be its best defense.
Rice’s quarterback Chase Clement scored eight touchdowns alone last week, six passing and two rushing. Four of them came in the fourth quarter as Rice came back from a 48-28 deficit to win the game.
The Mustangs know all too well what wide receiver Jarett Dillard can do when he gets open.
The Mustangs are going to have to find the end zone early and often if they want to put down the Owls early in front of the Homecoming crowd.
SMU also has other incentives to play for.
Not only was it Rice that ended SMU’s last season one-win short of a bowl game, but they will also play for the Mayor’s Cup, given to the winner annually.
Kickoff is at 2 p.m. at Ford Stadium Saturday.
Zach Zimmerman had to get airborne to make this catch against Houston. Unfortunatly the Mustangs didn’t have enough offensive power to get the win. SMU fell 38-28. (John Schreiber)
