SMU players, coaches and fans have felt a jolt of pride in their team ever since the Mustangs' victory over Tulane assured the team of a bowl bid. But one group of PonyFans — the alums who played for the team in years past — share a special element of pride in the accomplishments of the 2009 Mustangs.

Five former players — defensive tackle Allan Adami, quarterback Lance McIlhenny, running back Andrew McKinney, center Steve Reindl and quarterback Jerad Romo — took the time to share with PonyFans.com their thoughts about their alma mater's return to the postseason:

What was your first emotion or reaction Sunday when the Mustangs beat Tulane, thereby guaranteeing a bowl bid?

Allan Adami: "Finally." I was so proud of this team. They love to keep you on the edge of your seat. But hey, that’s SMU football.

Lance McIlhenny: I was very excited for the team to be bowl-eligible … it’s been a long time coming and what a great reward to be able to go to Hawaii and represent C-USA.

Steve Reindl: My very first thoughts were “That’s awesome!” I then paused and had a little jealousy and envy and immediately started giving June Jones praise. What an amazing accomplishment they’ve done.

Andrew McKinney: I was not at the game — I was working. My dad texted me as soon as the fourth quarter ended. I was so excited I didn't know what to say!! I am so proud of the team for this significant accomplishment.

Jerad Romo: I am so proud of the team! I knew we would pull it out! Its been that type of magical year!




Two alumni panelists agree that running back Shawnbrey McNeal has been among the Mustangs' most valuable players in their 2009 run toward next week's Sheraton Hawaii Bowl (photo by Travis Johnston).

What does a bowl bid mean to the SMU program?



McIlhenny: A bowl pays (money to the school), and SMU needs that, along with recognition and (June Jones) being able to take his team back to Hawaii will be great for the program.

McKinney: Obviously a bowl bid means everything to the success of the program and to an important step for the fans to believe in what Jones brings to the future of the program. Hopefully fans will step up and realize the potential of this team the next five years (I believe they already have).

Reindl: It means the death penalty is over. The NCAA tried to kill this program and they did for several years. June has a great tradition of winning and I’m happy to see it's continuing here at SMU. I think it was very smart to extend his contract.

From your perspective watching SMU's games this season, what’s different about this year’s team from other teams over the years?

ReindlIt’s tough to say. There have been a lot of good teams in the past that never won. Maybe even more talented teams, but this team put it all together. They made the big plays when it counted, believed in themselves and had the leadership that kept them striving toward the task at hand. I think that’s the key difference. This team thought they should win these games. I think teams in the past read some of their own headlines.

Romo: We won the close games this year and made the big plays when we needed to. We’ve been close for several years in a row and now we’re there! There’s no turning back now — we BELIEVE!



McIlhenny: It appears that we have a higher quality of athlete on the field — at all positions.

Adami: This team never quit on a game all year. In the past we would get behind and or not finish. This team learned to finish games. That made the difference.

McKinney: I have not been to a lot of the games this year due to conflicting work scheduling, but from listening to the games, I can sense that the team is really learning to win from Coach Jones. That is a learned trait that this team is beginning to understand.

Was there ever a time when you thought a bowl bid just wasn’t going to happen — ever — for the Ponies?


McIlhenny: I knew that we would get back to this day — I just didn’t think it would take 25 years!!

Adami: No, we were so close three years ago at Rice. It was bound to happen. We just needed the right combination, and obviously SMU has found it.

Romo: I knew it was going to happen! Through hard work anything is possible!




McKinney: I came to SMU to build a foundation to this program — that was Coach (Phil) Bennett’s recruiting pitch — and I was drawn to that aspect of being at SMU. I mean, if you go anywhere else like Texas or Oklahoma, then you walk into an established program. I think being a part of something that is bigger than yourself is an attractive (thing) to be a part of. I believe that Coach Jones exudes more confidence in his approach to turning around this team in front of the players. (I) always believed that this year would come. Coach Jones believes so much that his attitude stays consistent through the good times and the bad times. (He) changes the atmosphere. He invests in the character of the players of the program and has respect for the other coaches in the program. I just can’t say enough good things about my last year being a part of the “new” culture he brought to our team. I know our record last year was an incredible disappointment, but I think most players would agree that they saw a future for the team based on the internal changes that had been made.

Reindl: I knew one day the ponies would be back to a bowl, I just didn’t know when. I think SMU’s is an amazing place with some great support from its alumni. I knew sooner or later this day would come and honestly as soon as we got June, I thought it would be with him. His track record speaks for itself.

Who have been your MVPs this season?

McIlhenny: I feel that our defensive line has done a much better job…

Adami: The first one that comes to mind is Margus (Hunt), just from all of the pivotal plays that he made — that’s the defensive player coming out in me. There were so many games that showed us we had bright spots all over the field on both sides of the ball. I was really impressed with the way our defense kept taking the ball away all year. But, in the end I have to give the MVP award to Shawnbrey McNeal. His steady performance throughout the year gave our young passing offense something to fall back on. I don’t think we are going to Hawaii without him.

McKinney: I will leave that to the fans.

Reindl: My MVPs have been Emmanuel Sanders, Shawnbrey McNeal, June Jones and the fans at Ford Stadium. I’m also very excited to see what Kyle Padron is going to do in the years to come. He really came on late in the season and played very well.

Romo: Offense: Emmanuel Sanders and Shawnbrey McNeal (honorable mention: Kyle Padron!);

Defense: Chase Kennemer and Bryan McCann;
Special Teams: Margus Hunt

How does having your alma mater in a bowl game change you as a fan?

McKinney: I have been proud of being a part of the Jones era. I feel that Dallas will jump on the band wagon of SMU’s success and think Jones wants nothing more than people to become passionate about a Dallas team being successful. Dallas is great city. SMU is a great school. SMU football is growing into its own. I am happy to learn from Jones staff.

Romo: It doesn't change. Win or lose I’m a Mustang for LIFE!

Reindl: It doesn’t change me as a fan. I’ll always be a huge SMU supporter. It does however, bring me an incredible amount of joy seeing them mentioned on College GameDay or seeing them on SportsCenter. The biggest change I’ve noticed is other people talking about SMU around town and jumping on their wagon a little, and that makes me happy.

Adami: I started going to SMU games back in 1995 to watch my older brother, Austin, play. I was hooked from the first kickoff. I have always been proud to wear the Red and Blue in support of my Mustangs. I think the only thing that changes now are the bragging rights. I have another brother that went to Texas A&M (which finished only 6-6) — he is going to get an earful at Christmas.

What you (the 2009 Mustangs) have been able to do this year has touched a lot of people. Sure the fans, students, your parents and support staff are all proud of you. But, I think more than anyone, it’s the ex-players — you have, in a small way, let all of us share in your accomplishment. You have closed a chapter for us in SMU’s history. Thank you. — Allan Adami