Pony Excess love in Arkyland

[ponyte]

This is a copy of a draft from my company’s newsletter here in Arkyland.

Clement Fox, M.D., medical director for Health Advantage and the Central Region, was featured in the documentary “Pony Excess,” one of ESPN’s 30 for 30 film series. Pony Excess documents the rise, fall and rebirth of the Southern Methodist University football team. The team owned the best record in college football from 1981-1984 while featuring legendary running backs Eric Dickerson and Craig James.

In an era when NCAA violations became the norm — particularly paying players to play, SMU received the harshest penalty the NCAA can give. In 1987 the NCAA issued the so-called “death penalty,” which meant SMU could not have a football team for two years. Dr. Fox, who was a tight end and back-up punter for SMU in 1976, 1978-1980, was interviewed for the film.

“The main reason they asked me to be a part is because I was with [head coach] Ron Meyer from the beginning of his career at SMU,” said Dr. Fox. “I am the only one interviewed that was with Coach Meyer from the beginning, and I could tell them what a hellacious experience we had those first few and very lean years. It was nothing like when we got better talent later in my career.”

The film’s title, Pony Excess, is actually a word play on SMU’s nickname during that era, the “Pony Express.” The name was earned on a single play during SMU’s game against the University of Texas in 1980. Tailback Craig James took a pitch from the quarterback and followed two key blocks — one by fullback Charles Drayton and one by Clement Fox — for a 53-yard touchdown run that put SMU ahead of the Longhorns. The Mustangs went on to beat Texas for their first victory over the Longhorns in 13 years and the “Pony Express” was born.

ESPN’s 30 for 30 is a critically-acclaimed documentary series featuring 30 films that detail the issues, trends, athletes, teams, rivalries, games and events that transformed the sports landscape from 1979 to 2009.

I had final right to correct the article and I had to cut the paragraph about
the totally bogus pass interference call in 1982 against the Beloved Razorbacks part.

God, this people never give up!

[Stallion]

Punter*

*there is no proof of that. After they watched you punt was right before they drafted Craig James to Punt.

[ponyte]

Sorry Stallion, but I was backup punter before James was even out of high school. In 1978, I was fortunate to witness Woody Hayes slug one of his own players. It was a deep snapper working with their field goal kicker. He skipped a couple back to the holder and Woody smacked in in the back. Now the only people on the field at that time were the coaches and kickers. And James was in High School.

During home games when many dressed I was but one of several punters. But for travel games for 3 years, it was nice to have a back up punter that also could play another position.

Also, James didn't start in the backup role until I was gone.

[NavyCrimson]

Great call - Ponyte!