Favored Big - - Again / cusa-fans.com

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Favored Big - - Again
SMU Dumps Northwestern State, Heads to Memphis
By Rick Atkinson for cusa-fans.com
http://cusa-fans.com/

DALLAS – Another week, another three-touchdown favorite. Wait, SMU? Three weeks in a row? When’s the last time that happened?

It’s true. After dispatching FCS Northwestern State, 40-7, the Mustangs (2-1, 1-0) now travel to Memphis to face yet another opponent - and second league foe – who’s supposed to melt like a jelly bean in August.

Does being a big “overdog” put added pressure on SMU?

“No, not really,” said defensive line coach Bert Hill. “What we talk to our guys about all the time is it really isn’t about [the opponent.] It’s about us. And how are we going to prepare and how are we going to play on game day.”

“Honestly,” said defensive tackle Marquis Frazier, “we just take it week by week. I really don’t care if we’re three- touchdown [favorites]. Coach always says do what we do on defense, and if we do our jobs, it will take care of the score.”

Said wideout Terrance Wilkerson, “We really don’t think about it too much. I really don’t look at what the media has to say too much. So I really wouldn’t know if we were favored or not.”

“I can’t speak for everybody, but I believe we just all come out and do what we have to do and just prepare to win, whoever we’re playing.”

SMU has yet to beat the Tigers in three tries dating back to 1976. The last time the teams met on the Mississippi was the 55-52 triple-overtime affair in 2007, in former SMU head coach Phil Bennett’s final game.

Beaz Ball

In Saturday’s win, SMU wideout Cole Beasley had his second career-game in two weeks, piling up 171 receiving yards on 11 catches. Darius Johnson added eight catches for 127 yards.

“I feel like I played a good game,” Beasley said. “I still had a bust and a drop or two. I can always improve. The coaches are really emphasizing getting in the end zone and I’ve yet to do that … so that’s what I’m trying to work on.”

What’s it like operating with two quarterbacks, starter J.J. McDermott and Kyle Padron?

“They both do things differently,” Beasley said. “One’s better than the other at one thing. The other one’s better at another. But they’ve both been here for a while now and we go reps with both of them in practice. So I think we’re ready for whoever they put in there out of those two because … we’ve developed chemistry between the both of them.”

Said Wilkerson, “It’s different. But at the same time, both guys know the offense very well. And both guys are very accurate. So it’s not that bad. The ball is where it needs to be. I’m pretty comfortable with both guys.”

McDermott passed for a career-high 278 yards on Saturday, completing 19-of-35 attempts. Padron tallied 138 yards, hitting 7-of-16.

(Each threw in an interception. Padron’s late fumble near NSU’s goal line was returned 93 yards for a touchdown.SMU’s turnover margin is -5, tied for last in Conference USA with Tulsa.)

Wilkerson got loose on a fade route for 47 yards in the second quarter during Padron’s second series. Two plays later, Line bulled in to give SMU a 26-0 lead.

For Wilkerson, the catch was sweet.

“It felt good because it’s been a long time,” Wilkerson said. “I feel like I’ve been a little rusty. I’ve just really been trusting in God and I’m thankful to Jesus that I got that pass.”

“It felt good just to get my legs back under me and kind of get in the groove of doing well again. … They were in cover-two, so it gave the quarterback an opportunity to throw me in a window. Kyle did a great job.”

Shutout

SMU’s defense allowed no offensive points versus NSU. Linebacker Taylor Reed had a season-high nine tackles, while defensive tackle Marquis Frazier collected six, one shy of a career-high.

“As a defense, we played pretty well,” Frazier said. “And I definitely felt the defensive line played to some of our best qualities. We played fast, we played physical, we played very aggressive.”

Said Coach Hill, “Marquis played exceptionally well in that game. One thing that helps him is the guys around him play good. So he’s able to take his game to a different level, and he definitely did that this week.”

Frazier noted that he and defensive ends Margus Hunt and Taylor Thompson have been together for two years now. “We’re definitely gelling together.”

Frazier said he’d not yet seen much film on Memphis’ 6-3/215 true freshman quarterback Taylor Reed. “But we feel like he’s not a big outside runner. ... What we’re really going to try to do is just contain him and get sacks off of that.”

In three starts, Reed has thrown for 568 yards, with four touchdowns and one interception. He’s completed 60-percent of his passes.

Reed and the Tigers got their first win of the season last week, 27-6 over FCS Austin Peay at home. They’ve had lop-sided losses to Mississippi State and Arkansas State.

“The guy’s a good athlete,” Coach Hill said of Reed. “He can make things happen if we allow him to do that. Again, we’re going to try to focus on what WE do to help shut them down.”

BBQ?

Memphis barbecue, anybody?

“Most definitely,” Wilkerson said, “if that what’s we’re being served. I’m always ready to eat. … I’ve never been to Memphis. But I’ll try to taste their barbecue.”

Said Beasley, with a laugh, “If the coaches let us eat barbecue, I’m eating barbecue. I’ll eat whatever they tell me to, though.”

“I heard BB King’s is really good,” Frazier said. “Hopefully, we’ll get to eat some of that.” Frazier’s not been to Memphis either. “I’m ready to try all the barbecue I can. Memphis dry rub, you know? Whatever. I’m ready for it.”

Said Coach Hill, “I don’t know if that’s on the menu or not, but if it is, we’re looking forward to getting some.”

John Vergos, part owner of The Rendezvous, a Memphis barbecue legend for decades, said he’d be pleased to serve the Mustangs. Vergos graduated from SMU in 1970.

“[SMU head coach] Matt Doherty always brings the basketball team down,” he said, by phone.

Vergos said most folks get the cheese and sausage appetizer with the full rib dinner, or maybe half-a-chicken.

So what about the Tigers this year? “There’s a lot of concern about the football team being expressed by most fans,” Vergos said. “We’re not real thrilled with the season so far - really, the last two years.”

“We’re glad we won last week and people are hoping that they can be competitive with SMU.”

What do you hear about SMU? “I think a lot of people, [while] not pulling for SMU to win this game, are thinking SMU would be a great fit for the Liberty Bowl.”

On the menu for sure: one game at a time.

PREDICTION: Turnovers abate, SMU gets its first win over Memphis, 31-13 – and a side of ribs? “Overdog” streak ends; TCU’s next for the Mustangs.

NOTES
*SMU’s Zach Line scored a school-record five rushing touchdowns against NSU.
*Saturday is Homecoming for Memphis.
*The 2007 triple-OT game at Memphis is the longest game in SMU history.
*The Rendezvous: hogsfly.com



b]Favored Big - - Again [/b]
SMU Dumps Northwestern State, Heads to Memphis
By Rick Atkinson for cusa-fans.com
http://cusa-fans.com/

DALLAS – Another week, another three-touchdown favorite. Wait, SMU? Three weeks in a row? When’s the last time that happened?

It’s true. After dispatching FCS Northwestern State, 40-7, the Mustangs (2-1, 1-0) now travel to Memphis to face yet another opponent - and second league foe – who’s supposed to melt like a jelly bean in August.

Does being a big “overdog” put added pressure on SMU?

“No, not really,” said defensive line coach Bert Hill. “What we talk to our guys about all the time is it really isn’t about [the opponent.] It’s about us. And how are we going to prepare and how are we going to play on game day.”

“Honestly,” said defensive tackle Marquis Frazier, “we just take it week by week. I really don’t care if we’re three- touchdown [favorites]. Coach always says do what we do on defense, and if we do our jobs, it will take care of the score.”

Said wideout Terrance Wilkerson, “We really don’t think about it too much. I really don’t look at what the media has to say too much. So I really wouldn’t know if we were favored or not.”

“I can’t speak for everybody, but I believe we just all come out and do what we have to do and just prepare to win, whoever we’re playing.”

SMU has yet to beat the Tigers in three tries dating back to 1976. The last time the teams met on the Mississippi was the 55-52 triple-overtime affair in 2007, in former SMU head coach Phil Bennett’s final game.

Beaz Ball

In Saturday’s win, SMU wideout Cole Beasley had his second career-game in two weeks, piling up 171 receiving yards on 11 catches. Darius Johnson added eight catches for 127 yards.

“I feel like I played a good game,” Beasley said. “I still had a bust and a drop or two. I can always improve. The coaches are really emphasizing getting in the end zone and I’ve yet to do that … so that’s what I’m trying to work on.”

What’s it like operating with two quarterbacks, starter J.J. McDermott and Kyle Padron?

“They both do things differently,” Beasley said. “One’s better than the other at one thing. The other one’s better at another. But they’ve both been here for a while now and we go reps with both of them in practice. So I think we’re ready for whoever they put in there out of those two because … we’ve developed chemistry between the both of them.”

Said Wilkerson, “It’s different. But at the same time, both guys know the offense very well. And both guys are very accurate. So it’s not that bad. The ball is where it needs to be. I’m pretty comfortable with both guys.”

McDermott passed for a career-high 278 yards on Saturday, completing 19-of-35 attempts. Padron tallied 138 yards, hitting 7-of-16.

(Each threw in an interception. Padron’s late fumble near NSU’s goal line was returned 93 yards for a touchdown.SMU’s turnover margin is -5, tied for last in Conference USA with Tulsa.)

Wilkerson got loose on a fade route for 47 yards in the second quarter during Padron’s second series. Two plays later, Line bulled in to give SMU a 26-0 lead.

For Wilkerson, the catch was sweet.

“It felt good because it’s been a long time,” Wilkerson said. “I feel like I’ve been a little rusty. I’ve just really been trusting in God and I’m thankful to Jesus that I got that pass.”

“It felt good just to get my legs back under me and kind of get in the groove of doing well again. … They were in cover-two, so it gave the quarterback an opportunity to throw me in a window. Kyle did a great job.”

Shutout

SMU’s defense allowed no offensive points versus NSU. Linebacker Taylor Reed had a season-high nine tackles, while defensive tackle Marquis Frazier collected six, one shy of a career-high.

“As a defense, we played pretty well,” Frazier said. “And I definitely felt the defensive line played to some of our best qualities. We played fast, we played physical, we played very aggressive.”

Said Coach Hill, “Marquis played exceptionally well in that game. One thing that helps him is the guys around him play good. So he’s able to take his game to a different level, and he definitely did that this week.”

Frazier noted that he and defensive ends Margus Hunt and Taylor Thompson have been together for two years now. “We’re definitely gelling together.”

Frazier said he’d not yet seen much film on Memphis’ 6-3/215 true freshman quarterback Taylor Reed. “But we feel like he’s not a big outside runner. ... What we’re really going to try to do is just contain him and get sacks off of that.”

In three starts, Reed has thrown for 568 yards, with four touchdowns and one interception. He’s completed 60-percent of his passes.

Reed and the Tigers got their first win of the season last week, 27-6 over FCS Austin Peay at home. They’ve had lop-sided losses to Mississippi State and Arkansas State.

“The guy’s a good athlete,” Coach Hill said of Reed. “He can make things happen if we allow him to do that. Again, we’re going to try to focus on what WE do to help shut them down.”

BBQ?

Memphis barbecue, anybody?

“Most definitely,” Wilkerson said, “if that what’s we’re being served. I’m always ready to eat. … I’ve never been to Memphis. But I’ll try to taste their barbecue.”

Said Beasley, with a laugh, “If the coaches let us eat barbecue, I’m eating barbecue. I’ll eat whatever they tell me to, though.”

“I heard BB King’s is really good,” Frazier said. “Hopefully, we’ll get to eat some of that.” Frazier’s not been to Memphis either. “I’m ready to try all the barbecue I can. Memphis dry rub, you know? Whatever. I’m ready for it.”

Said Coach Hill, “I don’t know if that’s on the menu or not, but if it is, we’re looking forward to getting some.”

John Vergos, part owner of The Rendezvous, a Memphis barbecue legend for decades, said he’d be pleased to serve the Mustangs. Vergos graduated from SMU in 1970.

“[SMU head coach] Matt Doherty always brings the basketball team down,” he said, by phone.

Vergos said most folks get the cheese and sausage appetizer with the full rib dinner, or maybe half-a-chicken.

So what about the Tigers this year? “There’s a lot of concern about the football team being expressed by most fans,” Vergos said. “We’re not real thrilled with the season so far - really, the last two years.”

“We’re glad we won last week and people are hoping that they can be competitive with SMU.”

What do you hear about SMU? “I think a lot of people, [while] not pulling for SMU to win this game, are thinking SMU would be a great fit for the Liberty Bowl.”

On the menu for sure: one game at a time.

PREDICTION: Turnovers abate, SMU gets its first win over Memphis, 31-13 – and a side of ribs? “Overdog” streak ends; TCU’s next for the Mustangs.

NOTES
*SMU’s Zach Line scored a school-record five rushing touchdowns against NSU.
*Saturday is Homecoming for Memphis.
*The 2007 triple-OT game at Memphis is the longest game in SMU history.
*The Rendezvous: hogsfly.com