Gameday Breakdown

In the wake of a solid defensive show by the Mustangs in last weekend’s 28-21 win over East Carolina University, the Mustangs (3-2, 2-0) will look to upset the Naval Academy (4-2) this weekend at Ford Stadium.

Starting with the best season record in 23 years, the Mustangs are three wins away from potentially playing in a bowl game. Navy, on the other hand, continues to establish itself as a running powerhouse, crushing Rice in Houston, 63-14 last week.

In last season’s game between SMU and Navy, the Midshipmen became the first collegiate team in 11 years to not attempt a pass, but added 404 rushing yards to pave the way to a 34-7 win. True to form, Navy, the No. 3 rushing team in the country, has averaged 270.3 rushing yards per game compared to just 91.7 passing yards. In comparison, SMU averages just 60.5 rushing yards per game but 297 passing yards.

Leading the Navy’s ground game is junior quarterback Ricky Dobbs with 14 touchdowns on the season and an average of 81.7 yards per game. Marcus Curry, a sophomore running back could also pose a threat to the Mustang defense with a 7.6 average per carry and three touchdowns this season.

SMU’s running back, junior Shawnbrey McNeal, will look to bounce back from a disappointing performance against ECU, totaling just 35 net yards despite his pre-established 73.8 yard average per game. The Midshipmens’ run protection has only allowed 756 yards this season and 108.7 yards per game.

Navy’s triple option offense will pose a threat to the Mustang defense, as SMU has allowed an average of 146.6 rushing yards per game and seven touchdowns. The triple option offense will give Navy quarterback the option of handing the ball off to either Curry or running back Bobby Doyle.

The SMU defense has excelled in picking off passes and forcing turnovers, but will have to rely on the power of senior linebacker Chase Kennemer and junior outside linebacker Youri Yenga to stop the Midshipmens’ running game. Ranked as the No. 1 team in interceptions, SMU has 13 picks this season, with one being run back for a 53-yard touchdown return in the Mustangs’ win over ECU.

Despite sophomore quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell throwing zero interceptions against the Pirates, SMU remains in second place in the nation for most interceptions thrown. Mitchell, who has thrown for 1,485 yards this season, including 10 touchdowns, averages 297 yards per game with a 57.9 completion percentage.

Senior wide receiver, Emmanuel Sanders, will look to set a new career record should he catch two passes against Navy. Currently tied with Dez Bryant of Oklahoma State with 29 career touchdowns, the most for an active NCAA player, Sanders also leads the nation in punt return average this season with 26 yards per return.

At half time, Madeline Pickens and her husband, T. Boone Pickens, will present President R. Gerald Turner and the SMU community with a wild mustang to accompany Peruna on the field. Other entertainment will include a fly over before kick off and a parachuter delivering the game ball inside the stadium walls. Michael Martin Murphy, the Western Music Hall of Fame inductee, will perform “Wildfire,” including a tribute to our Armed Forces and other veteran groups.

Kick off for Saturday’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Ford Stadium.

Shawnbrey McNeal (9), finds a path through the East Carolina defense in Saturday night’s 28-21 win over the Pirates at Ford Stadium. CASEY LEE/The Daily Campus