Thursday's college notebook
11:36 PM CDT on Wednesday, October 22, 2003
From Staff and Wire Reports
SMU
Phillips and Wallis will play Saturday
UNIVERSITY PARK – Football coach Phil Bennett said freshman quarterback Chris Phillips will start Saturday against Tulsa, but Tate Wallis will also play.
"It will take both of them to win the game," Bennett said.
Redshirt freshman Duke Hasson will become the third-string quarterback.
Phillips became the starter after last week's loss to Boise State. Richard Bartel was benched after that game and said Monday he would transfer.
Wallis started the fourth game of the season against Nevada.
Spirited practice for Mustangs
UNIVERSITY PARK – sophomore defensive back Jamey Harper's interception ended a fiery practice. Freshman receiver Blake Warren took a hard hit on a sideline pass and the first-team defense was yelling after most plays in the second half of practice.
"It's amazing what competition does to a team," Phil Bennett said.
The coach has opened the door for younger players to earn more playing time, and that has prompted hard hits and plenty of noise at practice.
Bennett said he liked the battle for the starting middle linebacker position between junior D.D. Lee and freshman Reggie Carrington. The coach said a final decision on who starts will be made Thursday. Freshman tight end Ryan Kennedy took some snaps with the first-team offense, and Bennett said another freshman Mark Hodges (Mesquite) would see more playing time. Senior Trent Hncir remains the starter.
— Calvin Watkins