Sunday notes from Calvin Watkins (DMN)

[PonyFan]

Redshirt freshman is back at cornerback

UNIVERSIY PARK – Freshman Fred Turner was a running back at Arlington Lamar and started at SMU as a cornerback before getting redshirted last season. This season, he began spring practice as a wide receiver.

Now, Turner is back at cornerback. Coach Phil Bennett said Turner, whose middle name is TheOne, gives the Mustangs depth and speed at corner. He will play on third-and-long situations.



Once again, freshmen, sophomores rule roster

UNIVERSITY PARK – Last season, SMU had one of the youngest teams in the nation with 60 freshmen and 14 sophomores on its 108-man roster. Inexperience was one of the leading factors in the Mustangs' 0-12 record in 2003.

This season, SMU has 48 freshmen and 29 sophomores on its 104-man roster that could increase with walk-ons. Coach Phil Bennett said this year's team has more depth and speed at the skill positions.



Briefly ...
In Saturday's scrimmage, starting quarterback Chris Phillips was 8-of-13 for 85 yards and a touchdown. ... Wide receivers Devin Lowery and Blake Warren each had four catches. ... Kicker Chris McMurtray made 6 of 7 field goal attempts. His longest was from 47 yards. ... Running back Foy Munlin, receiver Matt Rushbrook, center Brad Kieschnick and left tackle Darrin Johnson, all starters, missed the scrimmage with injuries.

Calvin Watkins

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I think moving Fred Turner back to CB makes a lot of sense. He redshirted last year, but he at least spent a year practicing in the Bennett/Gush system, so it's not like we're taking an athlete who's never played the position and asking him to learn something entirely new. He has OK size (5-10, 170 on the roster), and if Coach Bennett really wants to throw nickel and dime packages out there, we'll need every CB we have.

I can't wait until all those freshmen and sophomores are juniors and seniors. The last time we had a team with that much experience, we had a winning season!

Anyone else agree with me that Devin Lowery was the best player in the entire scrimmage? No wonder Bomar tried to talk Bob Stoops into signing him. Looks like we could have uncovered a real player.