Observations from the Game

[Sir Trolls A Lot]

Fellas,

I just got back from the game. I was happy to see the boys squeeze one out. It is the first home win I have been at since I moved from Dallas. I have two very brief observations.

1) Attendance: My wife and I felt bad for the Homecoming King and Queen. After halftime, all the frat guys seemed to leave. It was weird seeing them sit awkwardly alone. When I went to school, we always went and STAYED at the games. I would guess maybe 10,000.

2) Bennett: I have now gone to two games this season (Tech & Tulsa). Although they have been beaten badly by some okay teams in between my viewings, I can tell the players have made significant progress. I really think the Ponies have the talent to beat Tulsa by 30-40 points, but Bennett continually mismanages the game (i.e. two-point conversion). I laughed thinking about what the pro-Bennett posters would be saying after the game, and I was proven correct. Yes, we beat Tulsa, but we should have won that game by AT LEAST two touchdowns. Hopefully, Bennett does not cost these guys a much deserved victory due to poor coaching. The players proved something to me, but Bennett did not impress (those unsportsman penalties in the first half were tacky).

[rich_alum]

We should have won by 30? We were 12 point underdogs....Tulsa soundly beat Rice, the same team we lost to by about 30.

I don't think anyone would argue that Bennett made a poor decision in going for two, but he also had our guys ready to play and did a nice job of establishing the run. Blitz schemes were effective as well.

Can we rid of the Bennett bashing at least when we win? I still believe its too early to say he is a poor coach.

[Charleston Pony]

agreed. Bennett is learning on the job as well as are most of his recruits. I suspect he was brought in here because of his enthusiasm and relationships with plenty of Texas H.S. coaches. We have the budget or the conference affiliation to attract a high profile head coach with a proven track record. Let's see if Bennett improves right along with his team. I would bet he won't necessarily "follow the chart" next time, if that is what he was doing. I also think they will learn from the clock management issue towards the end of regulation. As for the sideline call, Bennett's addt'l 15 yarder was emotional and I don't know if we will ever take the emotion out of the guy, but that may not be a bad thing.

[Sir Trolls A Lot]

Great week though, wins for both Bush and SMU!!

[The PonyGrad]

Big win. One could give Bennett 9 points worth of blame in the 2 pt. decision and the back to back sideline penalties leading to a TD but the team was prepared enough to win.

The problems with the game as I see it were the turnovers and special teams problems in the second half. It is a process of learning how to win and how to protect a lead. Tulsa kept battling but we were doing many things to let them back in the game and not slam the door. One of the biggest was the fumble on the safetly kick-off return (as I recall it was that return.) Holding onto the ball late in the game is imperitive. You have to know that the other team is trying everything to force turnovers. You have to make sure they do not succeed.

Hopefully it is a lesson we can put into practice next week.

[Sir Trolls A Lot]

You have to know that the other team is trying everything to force turnovers. You have to make sure they do not succeed.

Yeah, that kickoff return frightened me. It was 27-7, and then a second later it was 27-21. Just like any offense, if they can run the ball, they will be effective and take time off the clock.

I must say, I miss Vic Vilora on defense.

[Dooby]

One thing I think is obvious-this team didn't quit and hasn't quit on its coach. It lost a 20 point lead in the third quarter and still won the game in OT. Last year, the team wouldn't have been able to do that.

[BrianTinBigD]

Dooby,

With the win, can we please get something more appealing than Kathy in the hot tub? Or is a win against Nevada a requirement?

[rich_alum]

Big win. One could give Bennett 9 points worth of blame in the 2 pt. decision and the back to back sideline penalties leading to a TD but the team was prepared enough to win.

Who flags coaches for unsportsmanlike conduct? That was absurd on the officials part. While the defense was not responsible for that score, I think I would chalk that up to poor officiating. The coaching staff was flagged without even being warned.

Bennett's lack of head coaching experience showed on Sat. but its nothing he can't learn going forward. Better it happened now then during a game that actually meant something......i.e. bowl berth/conf. champ.

He called a great game in terms of putting pressure on the Tulsa QB with a variety of blitz's and establishing the run on Offense. The defense, which Bennett is responsible for, played outstanding. You could take away 21 points off the board by subtracting the 30 yard unsportsman penalty, the kickoff return, and the kickoff fumble.

[Dooby]

Dooby,

With the win, can we please get something more appealing than Kathy in the hot tub? Or is a win against Nevada a requirement?

You are right. Here is SMU Alum Amy Acker again.

[Sir Trolls A Lot]

The defense, which Bennett is responsible for, played outstanding.

Rich_Alum,

They played good enough to win. I would not get caught up in hyperbole.

Sir Trolls

[The PonyGrad]

Big win. One could give Bennett 9 points worth of blame in the 2 pt. decision and the back to back sideline penalties leading to a TD but the team was prepared enough to win.

Who flags coaches for unsportsmanlike conduct? That was absurd on the officials part. While the defense was not responsible for that score, I think I would chalk that up to poor officiating. The coaching staff was flagged without even being warned.

Bennett's lack of head coaching experience showed on Sat. but its nothing he can't learn going forward. Better it happened now then during a game that actually meant something......i.e. bowl berth/conf. champ.

He called a great game in terms of putting pressure on the Tulsa QB with a variety of blitz's and establishing the run on Offense. The defense, which Bennett is responsible for, played outstanding. You could take away 21 points off the board by subtracting the 30 yard unsportsman penalty, the kickoff return, and the kickoff fumble.

Actually my tone may have been harsher than intended.

I agree there were many positives. We will need all of those and the lessons learned to beat Nevada. Hopefully we learned about winning last Sat. Nevada will be tougher.

[BrianTinBigD]

All Hail the Return of Amy Acker. Long may she reign.