Yahoo team report

[NomAnor]

INSIDE SLANT

SMU is dealing with uncertainty at quarterback just one game into the season after a messy 46-14 loss Sunday at No. 8 Texas A&M. This wasn’t supposed to be a problem for the Mustangs, who returned junior Kyle Padron, their starter for the last season and a half who passed for nearly 4,000 yards a season ago. But Padron threw two interceptions in his first four passing attempts at A&M, and coach June Jones didn’t hesitate in pulling him and replacing him with senior J.J. McDermott by SMU’s third possession. Padron didn’t return.

Jones will start McDermott in Saturday’s Conference USA contest against UTEP, citing McDermott’s poise and solid play at Kyle Field. McDermott finished 21-of-34 for 254 yards and a 27-yard touchdown.

McDermott, out of Katy, Texas, played two seasons as a backup at New Mexico State before transferring. He sat out the 2009 season, then backed up Padron in 2010, seeing very little game time. Padron, who has battled accuracy issues, will play at least some against UTEP, Jones said.

SMU would like to move on from the debacle at A&M as quickly as possible. The Mustangs had hoped to use the platform to show off the program’s progress—and with 18 starters returning, wanted to be at least competitive. Early blunders, including a disastrous onsides kick attempt, doomed the Mustangs, though.

UTEP struggled to an overtime win over Stony Brook, a Football Championship Subdivision team. But the Miners beat the Mustangs in El Paso last season, one of the lowest points of SMU’s 2010 campaign.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Backup-turned-starting QB J.J. McDermott played in four games in 2010, but he attempted just four passes. His most notable game time came at Tulane, when he started the second half with Kyle Padron struggling. Padron sparked the Mustangs to a come-from-behind win after alternating series with McDermott. McDermott’s coach at New Mexico State was Hal Mumme.

• C Blake McJunkin will be questionable for UTEP after suffering a high-ankle sprain against Texas A&M.

—utep has won six of its last eight meetings with SMU.

Series History: SMU leads UTEP, 10-8 (last meeting, 2010, 28-14 UTEP).

Scouting The Offense: The Run and Shoot all starts with the quarterback. This was supposed to be the year Padron elevated his game. Instead, he threw two picks on bad decisions at Texas A&M, tossing the first into coverage and airmailing the second over intended target Darius Johnson. RB Zach Line rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown at A&M to help backup QB J.J. McDermott settle into the game. SMU may have to rely on Line, who led Conference USA with almost 1,500 rushing yards last season, as McDermott flips the switch to starter. SMU allowed eight sacks at A&M.

Scouting The Defense: June Jones was disappointed with the physicality of SMU’s defense at A&M, where the Mustangs had trouble wrapping up the big and quick Aggies, allowing almost 500 yards. SMU was challenged early in the game by turnovers and a flubbed onsides kick that set up the Aggies in SMU territory.

Quote To Note: “I’m obviously comfortable. I think I’m going to do a great job running the offense.”—SMU QB J.J. McDermott, who will start for SMU for the first time Saturday against UTEP.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

This Week ‘S GAME: UTEP at SMU, Sept. 10—SMU needs to get over the Texas A&M disaster as quickly as possible. Taking care of UTEP in the Conference USA and home opener would improve the dreary feeling on the Hilltop immediately. The quarterback situation provides intrigue, though the SMU players say they are comfortable with whomever coach June Jones decides to play.

Keys To The Game: UTEP needed a comeback to beat Stony Brook in overtime, but SMU can’t assume anything at this point. The Mustangs must force turnovers on defense to help its offense. RB Zach Line will have to continue to produce to help ease the strain at quarterback.

Players To Watch:

QB J.J. McDermott—He has the week to prepare for his first start at SMU. He said he’s grown in understanding the Run and Shoot. He didn’t make major mistakes at Texas A&M, but the offense also didn’t score in the second half and mustered just 137 yards in the final two quarters.

C Bryce Tennison—If Blake McJunkin can’t play because of a high-ankle sprain, SMU needs his senior backup to elevate his play.

WR Cole Beasley—The senior slot receiver had seven catches for 56 yards at Texas A&M. SMU will be ready to use his experience to help spark the offense.

Roster Report

• ILB Taylor Reed, SMU’s leading tackler in 2010, suffered an elbow injury at Texas A&M but will play Saturda