2006 CAPTAINS ANNOUNCED

[PonyPride]

Mustangs Select Team Captains
Eight Seniors Tabbed As Leaders
Aug. 16, 2006

DALLAS (SMU) - Eight seniors have been named team captains for the upcoming football season, head coach Phil Bennett announced Wednesday, August 16. Brandon Bonds, Bobby Chase, Johnnie Fitzgerald, Ryan Kennedy, Reynaldo Pellerin, Justin Rogers, Joe Sturdivant and Blake Warren will lead the team in 2006.

Bonds, a native of Cooper, Texas, has been a three-year starter on the defensive line and is the younger brother of former letterwinner Byron Bonds. Bonds had 28 tackles in 2005 including three-and-a-half for loss.

Chase, who hails from Irving, joined SMU as a sophomore after spending one season at Blinn Junior College. Chase has a chance to become just the fourth player in SMU history to record two 600-yard seasons, having hauled in 39 balls for 625 yards in 2005.

Fitzgerald has played numerous positions for the Mustangs since his arrival from Red Oak, Texas. Fitzgerald has played defensive back, linebacker and running back at SMU. He found his niche in the backfield in 2005, rushing for a TD in the season finale against UTEP.

Kennedy, a Beeville, Texas, native has been tabbed a preseason All-C-USA performer by several publications. He had 14 grabs for 167 yards last season including a score in the UTEP win a year ago.

Pellerin, who represented SMU at the Conference USA Media Day last month, has been a steady producer at wide receiver since his freshman season. Last year, the Houston native had 30 catches for 346 yards and two scores, recording his best game in the season finale win.

Rogers, a member of the preseason Rotary Lombardi Award's Watch List, has also started for three seasons. The Greenville, Texas, native has gained over 50 pounds since arriving on the Hilltop and has been pegged as a preseason All-Conference performer by several publications.

Sturdivant, a native of Lilburn, Ga., is a preseason All-America selection in 2006. He led SMU in numerous defensive categories a year ago and will quarterback the SMU defense this season.

Warren is set to break the career punt return yardage record in 2006, standing less than 200 yards from Doak Walker's school mark. The three-year starter is also a threat at wide receiver, where he caught 15 passes a year ago.

SMU opens the season on Sept. 2, when the Mustangs travel to Lubbock to
take on Texas Tech.

[that's great raplh]

congrats fellas - now go beat tech!