But change was evident throughout the football program. The most obvious was the installation of Jones' Run-and-Shoot offense that had the Ponies putting the ball in the air on offense nearly 40 times (39.67) times per game. Jones laid out his expectations for his players, and what he expected of them, and those who didn't follow those guidelines didn't play, regardless of whether they were freshman walk-ons or established starters. As Jones said many times throughout the year, he has a system that he knows will work, and when he has the talent available to him, and his players buy in fully to what he teaches, the wins will come at SMU.

Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell had erratic moments expected of any freshman, but also showed the arm and moxie that convinced Jones to install him as the team's starting quarterback from the start of the season. The wide receivers, led by Emmanuel Sanders and Aldrick Robinson, thrived in their team's new offense, prompting Jones to call Sanders and Robinson the most talented wideout tandem he ever had coached. The offensive line, which included three - and sometimes four - freshmen, held up remarkably well, keeping Mitchell in one piece and usually allowing him enough time to throw.

Jones said toward the end of the season that his players were starting to "get it," to understand what was expected of them. Unlike when he first arrived, Jones saw players getting extra time in the weight room during breaks between classes. Players began working out shortly after the season ended, and continued to do so throughout the offseason. By the time spring workouts began, the players were comfortable with the offensive and defensive systems after a year of experience under Jones' staff.

Throughout preseason workouts, Jones has talked about how far ahead the Ponies are compared to last year, when they still were trying to learn the system. In essence, the entire team last year was made up of freshmen, as each player was in his first year of a new system. In 2009, however, Jones has less of a need to play true freshmen, because of the returning players who understand their assignments and responsibilities.

Of course, no offense runs smoothly without a productive offensive line. In 2008, the Ponies fielded a line that included then-junior center Mitch Enright, seniors Sean Lobo and Tommy Poynter and a pair of redshirt freshmen, Kelvin Beachum, Jr., and Bryce Tennison. The line held up pretty well in its first year operating in Jones' Run-and-Shoot offense that requires its blockers to operate out of a stand-up two-point stance, and that line is significantly younger this year, but more experienced. Four positions will be manned by players who are freshmen or sophomores, but five players - Enright, Beachum, Tennison, guard Josh LeRibeus and center Blake McJunkin - have a year's experience playing in the system. Jones also has stockpiled linemen in his first two recruiting classes, so despite the fact that Enright, now a senior, is the only lineman on the roster older than a sophomore, the line has more depth than in years past. The infusion of young talent is encouraging, but it also means the learning curve will continue as the young blockers mature.

There is reason to believe that's possible. First of all, the offensive line should improve, which allows all aspects of any offense to get better. Secondly, the Mustangs' most effective runner from last year, Chris Butler (5.3 yards per carry) is back after a season in which he was starting to show legitimate effectiveness before getting shelved by injury. Then there's Shawnbrey McNeal, the University of Miami transfer who has filed an appeal with the NCAA asking for immediate eligibility. If granted, McNeal's addition to the offense will add an element the offense previously hasn't had: unmatched speed. A burner from Madison High School in Dallas, McNeal averaged 4.8 yards per carry as a sophomore in a crowded Hurricane backfield, and 19.9 yards on 10 kickoff returns. In preseason workouts, he has shown elite top-end speed on offense and on kickoff and punt returns.

The Ponies mustered just 18 sacks last year, and the added size at defensive end and linebacker should make the rush more effective. Somewhat overlooked in the hype around the new-look ends and linebackers is the extra push the Ponies hope to get on the interior of the defensive line, where senior nose tackle Chris Parham has slimmed down and added quickness, showing so much promise in preseason workouts that Jones has said he thinks Parham could parlay a strong senior season into an NFL tryout next year.

In addition to getting bigger up front, the Ponies are faster at linebacker. Yenga and Pete Fleps - the team's leading tackler in 2008 with 106 (32 more than any other player) - both run well at the outside spots, as do redshirt freshman Cameron Rogers and Chase Kennemer inside. But one of the bigger topics of preseason camp has been the addition of three freshman linebackers - Taylor Reed, Ja'Gared Davis and Brandon Henderson - or four, including redshirt freshman E.J. Drewery, who was moved over from wide receiver. All are in the learning stages of adapting to playing the position at the college level, but they also show a considerable upgrade in speed and athleticism at the position. At least two, maybe three, could step in and earn considerable playing time this season.

Sophomore Chris Banjo showed flashes of star potential at free safety in his freshman season, and already has established himself as one of the leaders of the defense because of his speed, hitting ability and thorough knowledge of the defense. Senior Rock Dennis likely will start next to him at strong safety after being granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA after he missed the 2007 season with a broken shoulder blade. Both safety spots will be strengthened by the return of senior Bryce Hudman, who missed the 2008 season but can play either safety spot. Hudman also will be used in several nickel and dime packages as an extra linebacker, adding speed and coverage skills to the defense when it's apparent the opposing offense will take to the air.