Thomas Morstead connected on a 50-yard field goal in last Saturday’s game. (Christina Parrish)
SMU will enter a friendly environment when they walk into the Superdome on Saturday, the only problem is, it will be friendly toward Tulane.
The Mustangs have everything going for them, a two game winning streak, an offense that has posted 100 points in the last two games and a defense that continues to step it up each week. There is just one thing that could stop the Mustangs in their tracks, they are the first team to enter the Superdome since 2004.
As many as 50,000 people are expected to come out and cheer on the return of the Green Wave to New Orleans. However, head coach Phil Bennett “doubt[s] it will be that electrifying of an atmosphere but [he’s] sure it will be nice for Tulane to be at home.”
The Mustangs are going to have to turn around a rough beginning on the road so far this season. SMU was beat handily at Texas Tech and was shocked by North Texas.
“We’ve got to play better on the road,” Bennett said in his weekly press conference, “that’s our focus and that’s what we’re going to try to do.”
It is also the first conference game of the season. The Mustangs are 2-2 so far this year, the last time SMU was 2-2 was in 1996. That team finished 5-6, there are much higher hopes for this years team.
Quarterback Justin Willis has proven why he is leading this team, posting a quarterback rating that places him fifth in the nation. Bennett notes that Willis has “obviously gotten better, but he hasn’t arrived yet. He’s a guy that can make some plays and he’s proving he can do that.” And in the last two games Willis has thrown for nine touchdowns and rushed for one.
Running back Johnnie Fitzgerald is expected to be back for Saturday’s game. The Mustangs played without Fitzgerald, DeMyron Martin and Fred Turner in last week’s victory over Arkansas State. Fitzgerald adds one more weapon for the Mustangs in the backfield, along with James Mapps and Cedrick Dorsey.
Senior tight end Ryan Kennedy made his presence felt last week, catching three passes for three touchdowns. In the previous three weeks Kennedy had four catches for one touchdown. But sophomore tight end Vincent Chase has only caught one pass for nine yards and that was two weeks ago. The Mustangs need to get both of their tight ends involved if they hope for either one of them to be effective.
Defensive end Justin Rogers found his rhythm last week collecting three sacks and two other tackles against the Indians. Reggie Carrington and Randy Denman also picked up one sack each, giving the Mustangs five in the game.
SMU forced five turnovers last week the Mustangs only had five in their previous three games. The Mustangs only turned the ball over two times Saturday.
Additionally the Mustangs have used special teams to their advantage. Senior Joe Sturdivant blocked the lone ASU extra point attempt, and Zach Sledge recovered a mishandled punt and took it into the end zone for the Mustang’s final touchdown of the game. The Mustangs have received good field position thanks to Jessie Henderson and his 171 kick-return yards on the season, averaging 34 yards a return.
The Mustangs have to remember what good things they have done so far this season and forget the bad. The Mustangs must also remember the 31-10 loss to Tulane last year and forget about the fans in the stands.
If Justin Willis continues to improve game to game, Saturday’s game could be an exciting one.
The Mustangs must win the turnover battle. If SMU can hold onto the ball, and force it from Tulane. The offense has proven it can put points on the board. The defense must also stay stingy. The Mustangs have seen their opponents score drop from 35 to 24 to 14 and finally to nine.
Third downs continue to be a problem for the Mustangs. SMU is 20-50 on the season, while allowing their opponents a success rate right at 50 percent. The Mustangs have to be able to convert on third downs and stop their opponents. If they can do that it is another opportunity to get the ball in the hands of their potent offense.
But most of all the Mustangs must prove they can win on the road. “We’ve got to be focused and ready to play, according to Bennett. “For us to be able to go down there and come back with a win would just be that step I’m looking for.”
If the offense can continue to put points on the board, if the defense can continue to keep points off the board and the Mustangs can hold onto the football, SMU should pick up their first conference and road win of the season.
Red-shirt freshman running back James Mapps ran for 132 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 55-9 win over Arkansas State. (Christina Parrish)
