Wow...Congratulations to SMU

[Garret]

I honestly thought that Nevada was going to win this game--they had all the bowl experience, SMU has such young players at key positions, and I thought that Nevada would be able to control the clock with the run. I am amazed that a true freshman QB could have such an amazing day...especially with his deep passes.

What I didn't expect was that SMU would win the battle at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Four sophomore starters on the OL and Padron had a lot of time to throw--the deep routes needed that extra time and the OL did its job extremely well. SMU's DL and LBs did an excellent job in taking away all of the options for Nevada's defense--it wouldn't have mattered if Nevada had their top 2 RBs because there was no place to run.

I cannot imagine what it felt like to be an SMU fan during the long post-DP stretch leading up to this season. I remember how badly I felt when Hawaii had a winless season before hiring JJ, but what SMU fans went through was much worse. I'm glad that the fans that stuck with the team could experience a bowl win like this to punctuate the turnaround.

I remember seeing comment after comment on the game threads and other threads last season about the struggles of the offense. So many people were so down on the struggles of the offense...today showed what the offense can do when it is on. Colt Brennan had a more impressive Hawaii Bowl performance (559 yards passing and 5 TDs) against Arizona State, but Colt was a junior and he had three senior OL that were on NFL rosters the following season. With Padron just a freshman and the OL so young, it is scary to think about the numbers that SMU could put up during his career.

[Ralph]

ditto here! great to see the RNS run to nearly perfection, especially with a young OL and a true freshman in charge. I hope guys like bagice, mr. pony and general patton will pony up and admit that Jones RNS and his decisions have been positive for SMU football and his presence at SMU will return the program to the glory days of the 80's.

[SoCal_Pony]

I cannot imagine what it felt like to be an SMU fan during the long post-DP stretch leading up to this season. I remember how badly I felt when Hawaii had a winless season before hiring JJ, but what SMU fans went through was much worse.

Garret, have always enjoyed your posts.

During my 4 years at SMU we won more FB games than any other team in college football...think about that for a moment in the context of your statement above.

Yes this is enormously satisfying...but the best is yet to come.

Thanks for your support.

[Charleston Pony]

the OL not only gave Padron plenty of time and good throwing lanes, but they sealed well on those early TD runs of Shawnbrey's.

Can't think of ANYONE who played poorly in this one

[George S. Patton]

I couldn't be more proud than what I watched. And I thank June Jones for restoring my joy in this program. I just smiled from start to finish. I'm more in the camp of the physical type of offense approach and that won't change. But the key to the season was getting it changed in the locker room before it changed on the field. This was the most complete performance I've seen since I started back in 1989.

Merry Christmas to all and Go Mustangs!

[rich59]

I echo what GSP said and I agree with him about the more physical offensive scheme. However, last night I saw a well coached team that went about it's business with a very intense demeanor. Not much excessive celebration, physical, hardnosed, swarming defense, good kick coverage and an offense that always had the right answer. I don't know that I ever have seen a team seemingly better prepared than the Mustangs were. I had reservations about JJ and would have preferred Paul Johnson. I was wrong and I absolutely believe that JJ was the right choice and I hope he stays for at least a few more years. I could not be more proud of those Mustangs.

[smupony]

Garret. Thanks for all of your posts. Really enjoyed reading them. Merry Christmas!

[ALEX LIFESON]

Garret, you and I go back a while now, and I still appreciate that early gifts in the mail from you. Merry Christmas!

[Garret]

Garret, you and I go back a while now, and I still appreciate that early gifts in the mail from you. Merry Christmas!

Alex,

It must be nice to be able to watch SMU's offense moving the ball like how the Hawaii offense moved the ball in those DVDs I sent to you. Now, instead of SMU's receivers having to watch Hawaii game films to see the offense run properly (like Sanders had to do last season), SMU players can watch game films like the one from last night.

The only knock on Colt Brennan was that he didn't hit on that high of a percentage of his deep passes. Padron was amazing on those last night. All of those bombs to Robinson last night will probably be repeated over and over next season. That will open up the offense for the short and intermediate routes that are the bread-and-butter of the offense.

[smuvball12]

As an alumni of the smu atheltics program this is a HUGE win. Thank you 09 Football for restoring the winning spirit and infusing SMU with an undeniable energy. I can't wait to see yall blow it up again next season. SO PROUD!!!!

[smupony94]

Garret please stick around

[Garret]

Garret please stick around

I plan to--I keep up with PF when I have the time. It is so nice to see how things have changed for SMU and on ponyfans over the past 2 years.

I keep up with many of the former coaches and players from Hawaii, which included Tomey until he retired this season and a lot of NFL players. Last year I was able to talk with Al Noga and spent a night talking with Colt Brennan's parents (food/drinks sponsored by Hawaii's AD, who was hosting the gathering). But since SMU has so many Hawaii coaches and I since I followed Adrian Klemm when he was a player and love the job he is doing at the start of his coaching career, I will definitely keep up with SMU.

I look forward seeing SMU in the Liberty Bowl soon so that more of their fans can travel to the game. SoCal_Pony put things in perspective for me that during his 4 years at SMU the football team won more games than any other team...in that context, the journey back will not be complete until SMU makes it to a BCS game.