SMU football head coach Phil Bennett says that the next two games will define whether or not the program will go to a bowl game.

In a press luncheon held on Tuesday Bennett spoke to reporters on several injuries that the team has experienced that might cause some setbacks.

Sophomore Jessie Henderson suffered an injury during practice when a red-shirt freshman barreled down the field and fell on Henderson’s ankle. Bennett said that this was a set back, but they hope to have him back by next week’s game against Tulsa.

Senior Adrian Haywood suffered capsule damage in his shoulder and will try and practice with the team on Wednesday. Bennett says that it is doubtful that he will play anytime soon.

Freshman Emmanuel Sanders suffered an injury during the game last weekend against Houston during one of the last plays of the game. Bennett was afraid that he injured his ACL, but an MRI found it to be a sprain. They do not know the extent of the damage yet. Bennett hopes that he will return to the field this season.

“He was just jogging and we thought for the longest that it was an ACL, but it is not. I think he will be ok, but I do not know if he will play this week,” Bennett said.

Bennett refers to the game against Houston this past weekend as a tough loss for both coaches and players. For next week he says that they will be facing a tough quarterback for the game against Tulsa.

“Their quarterback led them to a Conference USA championship. He doesn’t look as smooth as a lot of quarterbacks, but he is very, very, very effective.”

Coach Bennett also expects to see active offensive motions and line shifts from Tulsa, in an attempt to cause the SMU defensive line to be less effective.

Overall, Bennett says that the injuries this week give other players the chance show their skills.

“If Emmanuel can’t play, that gives Columbus Givens a chance to step up and make the same kind of plays that Emmanuel was making,” said Bennett.