SMU's Ponies not up to speed yet

[Cheesesteak]

SMU's Ponies not up to speed yet

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News

UNIVERSITY PARK – SMU coach Phil Bennett said this is the first time in five seasons he has a two-deep roster capable of success.

It was part of the reason Bennett challenged his team and staff to reach a bowl game for the first time since 1984.

At the start of the season, Bennett told supporters to expect it.

But two games into the 2006 season, SMU is 0-2, has scored only nine points and has athletic director Steve Orsini responding to questions about Bennett's job security.

Bennett said it's too early to write off the season, but SMU's winless start raises the question: Were expectations set too high for a team with several questions on its roster?

"We have good enough athletes to win," Bennett said. "We got to get them mentally ready to go, and they have to take it upon themselves."

After a 0-12 season in 2003, SMU has gone 8-14, including a three-game win streak to end 2005.

During this time, Bennett has received two contract extensions.

In the fifth year of SMU's rebuilding process and with a new athletic director, is the job still going on, or is it finished?

"It's a good time to come home," Bennett said of Saturday's home opener against Sam Houston State. "When you play four of your first six games on the road, there are no guarantees. Our goal is, plain and simple, it's this game. We're not looking at anybody else. We're just trying to get a win."

STACKING UP THE MUSTANGS
Staff Writer Calvin Watkins looks at key positions on the SMU depth chart:

Quarterback

SMU starts a redshirt freshman in Justin Willis, who leaves the pocket too early on pass plays. Coach Phil Bennett said that has to stop for the passing game to work. The backup is Corey Slater, a junior college transfer with one year of experience.

"I'm going to be proven right on this; both of these guys can play quarterback," Bennett said.

Running back

Starter DeMyron Martin is out until at least mid-October with a foot injury. Competing for the job are backs with limited experience: Cedrick Dorsey (junior), Johnny Fitzgerald (senior), Fred Turner (junior), James Mapps (redshirt freshman) and Jessie Henderson (sophomore). Dorsey was second on the team in rushing in 2004 but failed to win the starting job last season. Martin rushed for 854 yards and seven touchdowns in 2005.

Defensive line

Cory Muse is a speed rusher, and Justin Rogers at right end is a strong force who applies pressure on quarterbacks. Inside are nose guard Brandon Bonds and tackle Adrian Haywood, who is excellent at clogging up the middle. Yet, after two games, the team has only one sack. Opposing quarterbacks are getting too much time in the pocket.

Cornerback

SMU suffered two major blows to the position when Brandon Jones (academics) and Rolando Humphrey (graduation) left the team. Combined, they had 84 solo tackles, and few teams threw toward Humphrey's side of the field.

This season, SMU moved receiver Devin Lowery to left corner and Jonathan Lindley to right corner. The duo has no interceptions, despite playing against pass-first Texas Tech in the opener and North Texas, which passed 17 times using three quarterbacks. Bennett said he likes Lowery's ability but would like him to cut down on taking chances. SMU has allowed a receiver to gain at least 100 yards in each of the first two games.

Special teams

The Mustangs lost a kicker and punter last season. Sophomore Thomas Morstead is the punter/field goal kicker. He missed a 49-yarder into the wind at Texas Tech, shanked a punt and missed a point-after try. Freshman Kellis Cunningham does kickoffs and has averaged 63.8 yards per kick.

The return game is strong, with Blake Warren (punt returns) and Jessie Henderson (kickoffs). Warren averages 10.7 yards a return, and Henderson is at 40 per return. The problem is, SMU doesn't have a special teams coach. The Mustangs are the only team in Conference USA without one. Bennett said position coaches handle different things on the special teams unit.

Sam Houston State (1-0) at SMU (0-2), 7 p.m. Saturday (KTCK-AM 1310, KTDK-FM 104.1)

[BrianTinBigD]

Love the line at the bottom about the fact that SMU is the ONLY school in C-USA that does not have a special teams coach.

[ALEX LIFESON]

I can't imagine, that there is another team that has had more blocked punts in the last few years than SMU.

[Pony_Fan]

I can't imagine, that there is another team that has had more blocked punts in the last few years than SMU.

That is true, and I don't know of another team with the "swinging gate" for PAT's and that crappy block scheme for punts.

I'd like to know the stats for how many blocked punts and how many missed PAT's in the Bennett era.

[PonyTales]

Speaking of speed:

JESSIE HENDERSON SCORES SATURDAY