Page 1 Story on SMU football in today's LA Times Sports

[mrydel]

Both James and Bennett state that SMU is a Diamond in the Rough because of its "recruiting area" and "Dallas". I agree but I guess we ain't close yet because we have just about been shut out in Dallas this year.

I guess right now we are a CZ in the Rough.

[NavyCrimson]

Coach Bennett said:

"Bennett has always wondered why only two schools, SMU and later Texas Christian, took the brunt of NCAA violations...I'm a Texas A&M grad, I recruited against all of them," Bennett says. "They can't point fingers…. This was a buyer's market, I'll tell you right now. It was a sign of the times. And there was nobody void of it. I mean nobody: state universities, private schools. It just befuddles me that the two schools that get hit the hardest are two private schools, SMU and TCU."

Every college coach is scared half to death of saying this but its the God's-honest truth & it should have been said 20 yrs ago!!!

Thank you PB for speaking the truth!!!

You've got guts & integrity!!!

[carolina stang]

I believe the trouble (after the Dave Smith era of sanctions) really started when Meyer left in the middle of the 82 recruiting season (AFTER THE '81 CAMPAIGN). Before, we had "gone after" (legally or illegally) specific players and Ron Meyer had kept the alums reined in at least for the players he really wanted. I think specific alums went crazy so close to signing day with no one to monitor them. Then in the spring of 83, it was a feeding frenzy when all the schools were going after recruits like Jeff Atkins, Albert Reese and Ron Morris. The Stopperich (sp?) kid was one of the ones listed (I believe) when we were put on probation again right before the 85 season. That was when Fred Akers said our games shouldn't even count in the standings. Great bulletin board material. We killed the Longhorns that year in Dallas en route to the first of two 6-5 seasons.

The same year (85) TCU self reported the infractions Jim Wacker was told about a couple of games into the season and we know what happened. Self reporting would never be the same!

I remember purchasing a t-shirt on campus as a recent alum that had a picture of a pony with a screwdriver in his behind labeled "the NCAA". Remember those? Classic stuff.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Speaking of "substance" part of our violations, were SMU paying for David's treatment for cocain addiction.