Nov. 25
Rice 31 ... SMU 27
Jarett Dillard caught his third touchdown of the game on a
25-yard play to give Rice the lead with just over four minutes to play, and then
Bencil Smith snuffed out SMU's final shot picking off Justin Willis deep. Rice
got up 17-0 in the first quarter highlighted by a 46-yard Dillard touchdown
catch, but SMU roared back with a 26-point second quarter helped by a 33-yard
Willis touchdown pass to Columbus Givens and a fumble recovery for a core from
Brandon Bonds. Dillard tied it up with a 20-yard score in the third, but SMU
game back to take the lead on Thomas Morstead's second field goal of the game.
The two teams combined for seven turnovers.
Player of the
game ... Rice WR
Jarett Dillard caught six passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Rice - Passing: Joel Armstrong, 13-21, 205
yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Quinton Smith, 15-79, 1 TD Receiving: Jarett
Dillard, 6-145, 3 TD
SMU - Passing: Justin Willis, 8-19, 137 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: DeMyron Martin, 15-101 Receiving: Columbus Givens,
2-39, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
SMU did its job converting off Rice turnovers to mount a
big comeback, but when it wasn't getting the breaks, the offense wasn't moving
nearly as well as it should've. Justin Willis wasn't his typical accurate self
even though he got help from DeMyron Martin and the running game. The secondary
couldn't handle Owl WR Jarett Dillard, but no one else has, either. This has
been a great bounceback season that ended on a down note. Even so, there's
plenty to build on.
|
2006
Schedule
2006 Record:
6-6 |
|
9/2 |
at Texas Tech L 45-3 |
| 9/9 |
at North Texas L 24-6 |
| 9/16 |
S Houston St W 45-14 |
| 9/23 |
Arkansas State W 55-9 |
| 9/30 |
at Tulane W 33-28 |
|
10/7 |
at UTEP L 24-21 |
| 10/14 |
Marshall W 31-21 |
| 10/21 |
at East Carolina L 38-21 |
| 10/31 |
UAB W 22-9 |
| 11/11 |
Houston L 37-27 |
| 11/18 |
Tulsa W 34-34 |
| 11/25 |
at Rice L 31-27 |
|
|
2005
Schedule
CFN
Prediction: 1-10
2005 Record: 5-6
Preview
2005 predicted wins
|
| 9/3 |
Baylor L 28-23 |
| 9/10 |
TCU W 21-10 |
| 9/17 |
at Texas A&M L 66-8 |
|
9/24 |
Tulane L 31-10 |
| 10/1 |
at Marshall L 16-13 OT |
| 10/8 |
at UAB W 27-22 |
| 10/15 |
East Carolina
L 24-17 |
| 10/22 |
at Tulsa L 20-13 |
| 11/5 |
Rice W 27-7 |
| 11/12 |
at Houston W 29-24 |
| 11/26 |
UTEP W 40-27 |
|
Nov. 18
SMU 34 ... Tulsa 24
Justin Willis threw two touchdown passes and ran for a
six-yard score as SMU overcame a 24-7 halftime deficit to score 27 unanswered
points pulling away on a 14-yard Blake Warren touchdown run with just over five
minutes to play. Tulsa got up early helped by short touchdown runs from Courtney
Tennial and Paul Smith along with a 12-yard Idris Moss touchdown catch, but the
offense couldn't keep drives going in the second half as SMU held on to the ball
for almost 18 minutes. Moss finished with 13 catches for the Golden Hurricane
Player of the
game ... SMU QB
Justin Willis was 11-of-18 for 190 yards and two touchdowns and added another
score and 93 yards on 17 carries.
Stat Leaders: Tulsa - Passing: Paul Smith, 22-30, 230 yds,
1 TD
Rushing: Courtney Tennial, 14-54, 1 TD Receiving: Idris Moss,
13-120, 1 TD
SMU - Passing: Justin Willis, 11-18, 190 yds, 2 TDs
Rushing: Justin Willis, 17-93, 1 TD Receiving: Bobby Chase, 4-57, 1
TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
The Mustangs are bowl eligible. That might not seem like a big deal for most
programs, but for SMU, it completes an unbelievable turnaround under head coach
Phil Bennett with Justin Willis coming up with yet another fantastic game in the
win over Tulsa. A win over Rice next week would mean a bowl game is assured, so
the job is far from done. The defense was great at bending but not breaking in
the second half, but it was the play of the offense keeping drives moving that
turned out to be the difference. To nitpick, the offense needs more of a running
game from someone other than Willis.
Nov. 11
Houston 37 ... SMU 27
Houston got 504 yards of total offense as Anthony Alridge ran
for 225 of the teams 357 rushing yards, but it took a two-yard Kevin Kolb
touchdown run late in the fourth to take the lead for good and a 61-yard Jackie
Battle dash to put it away. SMU got three Justin Willis touchdown passes in the
first half with two going to Emmanuel Sanders, but the offense could only manage
a 35-yard field goal in the second half after Alridge tore off his second
77-yard scoring dash of the day to tie it at 24.
Player of the game ...
Houston RB Anthony Alridge ran 13 times for 225 yards and two touchdowns
Stat Leaders: SMU - Passing: Justin Willis, 23-36, 299 yds,
3 TD
Rushing: DeMyron Martin, 11-30 Receiving: Emmanuel Sanders,
9-151, 2 TD
Houston - Passing: Kevin Kolb, 12-21, 147 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Anthony Aldridge, 13-225, 2 TD Receiving: Vincent
Marshall, 5-59
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Oh those big plays. The SMU secondary did a decent job of keeping the Houston
offense in relative check, but the defensive backfield couldn't do anything on
all the long running plays that broke the team's back. Justin Willis was hot
early, but he didn't get any help from the running game and he couldn't keep
pace once the Cougar home runs starting coming. Now the task becomes more
difficult needing to beat Tulsa and Rice to have any shot at a bowl bid.
Oct. 31
SMU 22 ... UAB 9
SMU's offense scored on a three-yard Vincent Chase catch in
the second quarter and a 39-yard James Mapps run in the fourth, but it was the
defense that starred holding UAB to three Swayze Waters field goals and allowing
just 222 yards of total offense. UAB had chances, but couldn't get into the end
zone. Down 15-8 with under three minutes to play, the Blazers saw its final
drive get snuffed out by an 11-yard Tony Hawkins interception return for a
score.
Player of the game ...
SMU QB Justin Willis completed 18 of 23 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown
with an interception and ran five times for 27 yards
Stat Leaders: UAB - Passing: Chris Williams, 18-36, 133 yds,
1 INT
Rushing: Dan Burks, 17-58 Receiving: Rashad Slaughter, 10-62
SMU - Passing: Justin Willis, 18-23, 148 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: James Mapps, 5-48, 1 TD Receiving: Reynaldo Pellerin,
6-35
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
SMU's defense bounced back in a big way after the
loss to East Carolina with a fantastic performance against UAB. QB Justin Willis
was the star of the show with an efficient, accurate game, but it was the play
of the defense that cam through time and again keeping the Blazers to field
goals instead of allowing touchdowns. A bowl game is there for the taking
needing to win one of the final three against Houston, Tulsa and Rice to be
eligible, but it might take two wins to be assured of a 13th game.
Oct. 21
East Carolina 38 ... SMU 21
East Carolina got a huge day from James Pinkney with 391 yards
along with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Davon Drew in the first quarter and a
30-yard pass to Aundre Allison in the fourth. Pinkney also ran for a ten-yard
score, and Brandon Simmons ran for two, one-yard scores, to pull away in the
fourth quarter. SMU tied it at14 in the first half on two Justin Willis
touchdown passes to Emmanuel Sanders, but the defense couldn't handle the Pirate
passing game.
Player of the game ...
East Carolina QB
James Pinkney completed 31 of 40 passes for 391 yards and two touchdowns and ran
ten times for a team-leading 31 yards and a score.
Stat Leaders: East Carolina - Passing: James Pinkney,
31-40, 391 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: James Pinkney, 10-31, 1 TD Receiving: Aundre
Allison, 13-138, 1 TD
SMU - Passing: Justin Willis, 22-33, 224 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: James Mapps, 8-37 Receiving: Emmanuel Sanders,
8-87, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
SMU got another good day out of Justin Willis, but
the pass defense was nowhere to be found against East Carolina. A little bit of
a running game would've been nice, but the Mustangs only averaged 2.6 yards per
carry and gained 89 yards. The offense has become way too reliant on Willis, and
when he's not rolling, it's over. James Mapps and Johnnie Fitzgerald have to
provide more of a rushing punch to get back in the bowl hunt with three straight
home games before facing Rice.
Oct. 14
SMU 31 ... Marshall 21
SMU QB Justin Willis came off the bench to bomb away for four
touchdown passes including a seven-yard pass to Zack Sledge to start off the
scoring in the second quarter and a 17-yard pass to Ryan Kennedy to finish it
off. Marshall lost four turnovers spoiling a big day from Ahmad Bradshaw, who
ran fro two short touchdowns in the second quarter. Marcus Firzgerald caught a
25-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to give the Herd the lead, but the
defense couldn't slow down Willis, who led the way to an 11-play, 80 yard drive
to answered finishing off with a seven-yard touchdown pass.
Player of the game ...
SMU QB Justin
Willis went 20-of-23 for 208 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing 34 yards
on 13 carries.
Stat Leaders: Marshall - Passing: Bernard Morris, 19-32,
192 yds, 1 TD, 3 INTs
Rushing: Ahmad Bradshaw, 20-91, 2 TDs Receiving: Matt Morris,
6-62
SMU - Passing: Justin Willis, 20-23, 208 yds, 4 TDs
Rushing: Johnnie Fitzgerald, 11-45 Receiving: Emmanuel Sanders,
6-62, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Obviously, the team is far better with Justin
Willis at quarterback. Corey Slater didn't get the offense moving at all against
Marshall in the first quarter, and then Willis came in and was lights out
pitching a nearly perfect game. The defense did a decent job, led by a huge day
from safety Joe Sturdivant, but it needed Willis and the offense to carry things
in the fourth quarter. As long as the O can control the clock, like it did in
the second half holding on to the ball for over 30 minutes, SMU will win a lot
of games.
Oct. 7
UTEP 24 ... SMU 21
UTEP got a 27-yard touchdown pass from RB Marcus Thomas to Dan
Robinson midway through the fourth quarter to take the lead, and then the Miner
defense held on wiping off two late drives with interceptions. The Miners got
out to a 17-0 start on a 12-yard pass to Joe West and a 63-yard punt return for
a score from Johnnie Lee Higgins, but SMU, who was without suspended QB Justin
Willis, came up with a 21 point second half run with two Corey Slater touchdown
passes along with an 80-yard Jonathan Lindley fumble recovery for a score. Joe
Sturdivant made 16 tackles for the Mustangs.
Player of the game ... UTEP QB Jordan Palmer completed
25 of 34 passes for 271 yards and a touchdown.
Stat Leaders: SMU - Passing: Corey
Slater, 10-20, 132 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: DeMyron Martin, 17-55. Receiving:
Bobby Chase, 3-32, 1 TD
UTEP - Passing: Jordan Palmer, 25-34, 271
yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Marcus Thomas, 24-59 Receiving:
Johnnie Lee Higgins, 6-62
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Give SMU credit for fighting its way into the
fourth quarter against UTEP without suspended QB Justin Willis. The defense held
up well and there was a nice run in the second half to get in the game, but
Corey Slater and the offense couldn't get anything on third downs converting 0
of 11 chances and only finished with 190 yards. It's a shame, since this might
have been a win with Willis under center, and now the Mustangs have to go on a
nice run over the next few weeks against Marshall, East Carolina and UAB.
Sept. 30
SMU 33 ... Tulane 28
Justin Willis threw two touchdowns and ran for another as SMU
was able to get out to a 17-0 lead and hang on as Tulane bombed away with Lester
Ricard and the passing game in the team's first home game since the Katrina
disaster. Ricard threw for 394 yards and three fourth quarter touchdowns, but
SMU was able to stay ahead with a Jessie Henderson kickoff return for a
touchdown and a 19-yard scoring grab from Emmanuel Sanders before Ricard threw
his final touchdown pass with 2:33 to play. The Mustangs recovered the onside
kick and ran out the clock.
Player of the game ... SMU QB Justin Willis completed
23 of 40 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns with an interception and ran 15
times for 76 yards and a score
Stat Leaders: SMU - Passing: Justin
Willis, 23-40, 261 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Justin Willis, 15-76, 1 TD. Receiving:
Bobby Chase, 6-54
Tulane - Passing: Lester Ricard, 29-48,
394 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Matt Forte, 11-17 Receiving:
Damarcus Davis, 9-100, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
SMU went into an emotional situation at Tulane
against a fired up team and got out to the big start needed to withstand the
firestorm from the Green Wave offense. Once again, Justin Willis was fantastic
doing a little of everything well, but there needs to be more from the running
backs as Conference USA play goes on. Cedric Dorsey needs to start cranking out
a few more runs. The defense did a great job of getting into the backfield with
six sacks while stuffing the Green Wave ground game. Now it'll have to do an
even better job of getting to the quarterback next week against UTEP.
Sept. 23
SMU 55 ... Arkansas State 9
Justin Willis and Justin Kennedy hooked up for three touchdown
passes in the first half and WR Zack Sledge connected with Bobby Chase for a
75-yard score on the way to a 38-6 lead. Arkansas State answered the first
Kennedy score with a 69-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Higgins, but the
extra point was blocked and SMU went on a 34-pount run broken up by a Josh
Arauco field goal late in the third quarter. SMU outgained ASU 226 yards to 69
on the ground.
Player of the game ... SMU QB Justin Willis completed
15 of 24 passes for 151 yards and four touchdowns with an interception
Stat Leaders: SMU - Passing: Justin
Willis, 15-24, 151 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: James Mapps, 14-132, 1 TD. Receiving:
Ryan Kennedy, 3-40, 3 TD
Arkansas State - Passing: Corey Leonard,
6-14, 110 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Reggie Arnold, 16-88 Receiving: Gary
Vincent, 3-37
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
After doing nothing over the first two games, the
SMU offense has exploded over the last two weeks with Justin Willis as hot as
anyone in the country. The passing game and the four touchdown passes against
Arkansas State will get the headlines, but James Mapps and the running game did
wonders to take the heat off and provide some balance. The team is starting to
play up to its potential at the perfect time going into the Conference USA date
at Tulane on a roll. Can the Mustangs overcome the emotion of the Green Wave's
first home game back after Katrina?
Sept. 16
SMU 45 .. Sam Houston State 14
Justin Willis only misfired on one pass throwing four
touchdown passes in the first half and five total on the way to a 42-0 lead.
Willis also added a two-yard scoring run late in the first half. Sam Houston
State managed 310 yards of total offense but didn't get on the board until late
in the third quarter on the first of two D.D. Terry touchdown runs.
Player of the game ... SMU QB Justin Willis completed
18 of 19 passes for 248 yards and five touchdowns and ran eight times for 14
yards and a score.
Stat Leaders: SMU - Passing: Justin
Willis, 18-19, 248 yds, 5 TD
Rushing: Fred Turner, 9-104. Receiving:
Columbus Givens, 3-106, 1 TD
Sam Houston State - Passing: Brett Hicks,
16-26, 134 yds
Rushing: D.D. Terry, 1-40, 2 TD Receiving:
Blake Martin, 7-38
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Is the blowout win and nearly perfect performance by
Justin Willis over San Jose State going to be what turns the corner for SMU?
Willis has been accurate over the first two games, but this was the first time
he started making big plays down the field and led the team to scores after the
offense got scored all of nine points in the first two games. Fred Turner did a
nice job cranking off some big runs, and now a steady back has to emerge with
DeMyron Martin out.
Sept. 9
North Texas 24 ... SMU 6
North Texas started off with a big play blocking a punt for a
score on SMU's first possession for the only points of the first half. SMU
appeared to be back in it with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Columbus Givens, but
the extra point attempt was no good and North Texas went on a 17-0 run to close
out the shocker. Woody Wilson ran for a 33-yard score and Jamario Thomas sealed
the victory with a five-yard run. SMU turned it over three times and only gained
270 yards of total offense.
Player of the game ... North Texas QB Woody Wilson
completed eight of ten passes for 103 yards and ran ten times for 74 yards and a
touchdown.
Stat Leaders: SMU - Passing: Justin
Willis, 15-19, 112 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: DeMyron Martin, 13-55. Receiving:
Reynaldo Peellerin, 5-21
North Texas - Passing: Woody Wilson,
8-10, 103 yds
Rushing: Jamario Thomas, 25-90, 1 TD Receiving:
Johnny Quinn, 9-132
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... The loss
to North Texas is nothing short of utter disaster. The offense was only able to
hang on to the ball for 21:19 and never got control of the game. Justin Willis
was efficient throwing the ball, but he only threw for 112 yards and didn't help
make any big plays in the passing game. The offense has to find some sort of
running game against Sam Houston State and Arkansas State over the next two
weeks, and then there's a winnable game at Tulane. SMU has to turn things around
in a hurry.
Sept. 2
Texas Tech 45 ... SMU 3
Texas Tech bombed away for 363 yards with Graham Harrell
tossing five touchdown passes in the easy win. SMU struck first getting
38-yard field goal, and then the floodgates opened as Harrell connected with
Todd Walker for an eight-yard touchdown pass and hit Robert Johnson with scoring
strikes from 14 and ten yards out for a 21-7 first half lead. SMU was outgained
501 yards to 189.
Player of the game ... Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell
completed 34 of 49 passes for 342 yards and five touchdowns with one
interception.
Stat Leaders: SMU - Passing: Justin
Willis, 9-15, 69 yds
Rushing: Justin Willis, 12-39. Receiving:
Bobby Chase, 3-25
Texas Tech - Passing: Graham Harrell,
34-49, 342 yds, 5 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Shannon Woods, 15-104, 1 TD Receiving:
Robert Johnson, 15-139, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Short of
turnovers, SMU had everything go the wrong way against Texas Tech. The only way
the Mustangs could've kept it close would've been with a ball control offense
and some answers to big plays. Unfortunately, they only converted three of 13
third down chances and couldn't come close to slowing down the Red Raider
passing attack in key moments. Tech controlled the ball for over 34 minutes and
SMU only gained 118 yards on the ground ... ball game.
2006 SMU Preview
SMU Preview
|
Offense |
Defense |
Depth Chart |
Further Analysis
In today's quick-fix world, everyone demands an instant turnaround.
In football, things occasionally take time.
It's hard to preach patience when teams like UCF, Tulsa, and
UTEP go from zero to contender in a season, but SMU has slowly been
building under head coach Phil Bennett over the last four years and
should finally be ready to emerge as a legitimate threat.
He has had a team with no experience, he has had one with no
talent, and he has had one with an ugly combination of the two.
Now this is his program and he has to hope he has created a team that
can turn things around after one winning season in the last 20 years. It's also
his best team yet.
Last year, the Mustangs pulled out of a nosedive to win the final
three games of the season beating bowl bound Houston and ruining UTEP's Conference USA title hopes. That proved once and for all that
SMU really can become a player in the Conference USA race. It was
the only team to beat TCU, and four of its six losses came by seven
points or fewer. It's time for all those close losses to turn into
wins.
There will be an
interesting mix of fast, talented young players, a lot of inexperience,
and good building blocks. Bobby Chase leads a deep and experienced
receiving corps, DeMyron Martin is one of the league's best backs
heading a very fast, very good backfield, and the starting five up front
should be fine. However, there's no experience whatsoever at quarterback
and absolutely no developed depth on the line.
The attack struggled throughout last season and was never consistent.
Now it has various options in its spread formation with several pieces
looking to find time in different formations to adapt and adjust on the
fly. For a team that has averaged 17.7 points per game over the last 90
outings scoring 14 of fewer in 43 of them, any pop and explosion will be
welcome.
The offense might have been bad throughout last year, but the defense
saved the day time and again keeping the team in several games.
There are lots and lots of speed in the back seven, but little experience
outside of safety Joe Studivant and linebacker Wilton McCray. The line
will be fantastic with Adrian Haywood and Justin Rogers among the best
in the conference.
Outside of the conference-opening loss to Tulane, SMU had a shot at
winning each of the three league losses last year. For Bennett and his
program, it's time for some good breaks to come their way. More
importantly, it's time for the team to be good enough to make it's own
good fortune.
The
Schedule: If SMU's dream is to win the West, it has a decent enough
schedule to do it with Houston and Tulsa coming to Dallas and missing
UCF and Southern Miss from the East. The key will be getting off to a
hot conference start with road trips to Tulane and UTEP that might
make-or-break division title hopes. The non-conference schedule is nice
and fluffy after the opening day game at North Texas with Sun Belters
North Texas and Arkansas State along with Sam Houston State.
Best
Offensive Player: Sophomore RB DeMyron Martin. Martin exploded at times
throughout his true freshman season ripping up TCU, East Carolina, Rice
and UTEP, but he was held in check by Tulane and Marshall. He's a strong
workhorse who'll be a 20-carry back from the start and a 1,200-yard
runner if he can stay healthy.
Best
Defensive Player: Senior SS Joe Sturdivant. The leader of the
secondary didn't just lead the team in tackles last season, he led the
team in tackles with 33 more than the number two man. He's like a free
safety when the ball is in the air, and he hits like a linebacker.
Key player
to a successful season: Redshirt freshman QB Justin Willis. The only
SMU quarterback with even a lick of experience, Chris Phillips, is
playing fullback/tight end. Willis has a ton of talent and the type of
running ability to be a do-it-all playmaker, but he's going to need time
to figure out what he's doing. Teams are going to load up to stop
DeMyron Martin and the running game until Willis proves he can take
advantage of what's being given to him.
The season
will be a success if ... SMU has a winning season. There are way too many holes to win
the West, but the schedule is nice enough to expect seven wins and a
possible bowl bid. At the very least, it would be a disaster if this is
another losing season.
Key game:
Sept. 30 at Tulane. The Green Wave only won two games last year, and
one of them was a 31-10 blasting at SMU for the only Conference USA
blowout loss the Mustangs suffered. It's the league opener this year for
SMU and will be a must win with a trip to UTEP coming up the following
week.
2005 Fun
Stats:
- Fourth quarter scoring: Opponents 110 - SMU 60
- Penalties: SMU 76 for 660 yards - Opponents 57 for 502 yards
- Field goals: SMU 18 of 22 - Opponents 12 of 23
The Last Time SMU…
…played in a bowl game…1984 (Aloha Bowl vs. Notre Dame)
…missed a bowl game…2005
…pitched a shutout…1998 (Hawaii)
…was shutout…2004 (Fresno State)
…scored 50 points…1999 (Northridge State)
…went undefeated…1982
…won a conference title…1984 (share, SWC)
…had a 3,000-yard passer…1978 (Mike Ford)
…had a 1,000-yard rusher…2003 (Keylon Kincade)
…had a 1,000-yard receiver…1978 (Emanuel Tolbert)
…had a first-round draft choice…1986 (DB Rod Jones and RB Reggie Dupard)