SMU reversing its fortunes
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:52 amFrom the Herald Dispatch -
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbc ... 5/SPORTS03
SMU reversing its fortunes
By Anthony Hanshew
The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON -- Bernard Morris' dramatic overtime touchdown run easily could have spiraled Southern Methodist University's football season into simple submission.
Despite a 10-0 lead entering the fourth quarter, SMU couldn't fend off a Marshall University comeback last season in Huntington. Morris knotted the score at 10-10 with 1:30 remaining on a 4-yard touchdown run then secured a 16-13 victory by reaching the end zone from 15 yards.
The disheartening loss dropped the Mustangs to 1-4. Conference USA East Division contender UAB was next, leaving SMU staring straight at five losses in six games.
Instead, coach Phil Bennett's squad managed its own unlikely rally, knocking off the Blazers, 27-26, in the final seconds. Confidence mounted throughout the regular season, which ended with a three-game SMU winning streak.
"It was big in the sense that it proved to our players that every second counts," Bennett said. "We played the entire 60 minutes and made it all count. We played well defensively and used our timeouts properly.
"The Birmingham game may have been the biggest because it was the first confidence builder. And it came after a devastating, overtime loss at Marshall. We led the whole game. That was tough."
Bennett's program appears to be turning the corner after nearly two decades off the national radar. The veteran coach has recruited well, and -- entering his fifth season -- finally boast depth at most positions.
"This is the first time since I've been here that our dropoff from first to second team isn't from mountains to plains," Bennett said. "We're closer and we're better."
Sixteen starters return from last season's 5-6 squad, which defeated Rice (27-7), Houston (29-24) and UTEP (40-27) to finish 2005. Quarterback is the largest unknown, with redshirt quarterback Justin Willis taking over the offense.
He completed 16 of 21 passes for 160 yards and ran for a touchdown in SMU's spring game. Production behind center would go a long way toward reaching the school's first bowl game since 1984.
The Mustangs' out-of-conference schedule includes trips to Texas Tech and North Texas and home games against Sam Houston State and Arkansas State. SMU hosts Marshall and UAB and travels to East Carolina in C-USA out-of-division play.
"Our question is where Tulsa was a year ago -- winning with a redshirt quarterback," Bennett said. "Justin Willis is talented and multi-dimensional. He runs and throws. He's the equivalent of a football junkie, instead of a gym rat.
"Helping our quarterback is that we have a supporting cast that's better than it's ever been (under Bennett)."
Tulsa thrived with its new quarterback, capturing the West Division title and winning at Central Florida in the C-USA championship game. As for his team's chance at a title run, Bennett shrugged and said "Why not us?"
The schedule sets up well, with West Division road games at Tulane, Rice and UTEP and home contests against Houston and Tulsa.
It appears that patience from Bennett and SMU fans will be rewarded sooner rather than later.
SMU profile
MEETING WITH MARSHALL: Oct. 14 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium
CONFERENCE: Conference USA
2005 RECORD: 5-6
RETURNING STARTERS: 16 (offense 8, defense
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Quarterback Justin Willis takes over the Mustangs offense as a redshirt freshman. He's mobile in the pocket, giving coach Phil Bennett added options to an offense that totaled at least 27 points in its final three games last season. Strong safety Joe Sturdivant has totaled 179 tackles during the past two seasons.
OUTLOOK: It seemed that SMU never would emerge from its scandal-ridden past, but real progress is being made. The defense is sound and the spread offense made for mismatches late in the season. SMU's schedule sets up well for a realistic run at 7-5 or 6-6 finish.
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbc ... 5/SPORTS03
SMU reversing its fortunes
By Anthony Hanshew
The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON -- Bernard Morris' dramatic overtime touchdown run easily could have spiraled Southern Methodist University's football season into simple submission.
Despite a 10-0 lead entering the fourth quarter, SMU couldn't fend off a Marshall University comeback last season in Huntington. Morris knotted the score at 10-10 with 1:30 remaining on a 4-yard touchdown run then secured a 16-13 victory by reaching the end zone from 15 yards.
The disheartening loss dropped the Mustangs to 1-4. Conference USA East Division contender UAB was next, leaving SMU staring straight at five losses in six games.
Instead, coach Phil Bennett's squad managed its own unlikely rally, knocking off the Blazers, 27-26, in the final seconds. Confidence mounted throughout the regular season, which ended with a three-game SMU winning streak.
"It was big in the sense that it proved to our players that every second counts," Bennett said. "We played the entire 60 minutes and made it all count. We played well defensively and used our timeouts properly.
"The Birmingham game may have been the biggest because it was the first confidence builder. And it came after a devastating, overtime loss at Marshall. We led the whole game. That was tough."
Bennett's program appears to be turning the corner after nearly two decades off the national radar. The veteran coach has recruited well, and -- entering his fifth season -- finally boast depth at most positions.
"This is the first time since I've been here that our dropoff from first to second team isn't from mountains to plains," Bennett said. "We're closer and we're better."
Sixteen starters return from last season's 5-6 squad, which defeated Rice (27-7), Houston (29-24) and UTEP (40-27) to finish 2005. Quarterback is the largest unknown, with redshirt quarterback Justin Willis taking over the offense.
He completed 16 of 21 passes for 160 yards and ran for a touchdown in SMU's spring game. Production behind center would go a long way toward reaching the school's first bowl game since 1984.
The Mustangs' out-of-conference schedule includes trips to Texas Tech and North Texas and home games against Sam Houston State and Arkansas State. SMU hosts Marshall and UAB and travels to East Carolina in C-USA out-of-division play.
"Our question is where Tulsa was a year ago -- winning with a redshirt quarterback," Bennett said. "Justin Willis is talented and multi-dimensional. He runs and throws. He's the equivalent of a football junkie, instead of a gym rat.
"Helping our quarterback is that we have a supporting cast that's better than it's ever been (under Bennett)."
Tulsa thrived with its new quarterback, capturing the West Division title and winning at Central Florida in the C-USA championship game. As for his team's chance at a title run, Bennett shrugged and said "Why not us?"
The schedule sets up well, with West Division road games at Tulane, Rice and UTEP and home contests against Houston and Tulsa.
It appears that patience from Bennett and SMU fans will be rewarded sooner rather than later.
SMU profile
MEETING WITH MARSHALL: Oct. 14 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium
CONFERENCE: Conference USA
2005 RECORD: 5-6
RETURNING STARTERS: 16 (offense 8, defense
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Quarterback Justin Willis takes over the Mustangs offense as a redshirt freshman. He's mobile in the pocket, giving coach Phil Bennett added options to an offense that totaled at least 27 points in its final three games last season. Strong safety Joe Sturdivant has totaled 179 tackles during the past two seasons.
OUTLOOK: It seemed that SMU never would emerge from its scandal-ridden past, but real progress is being made. The defense is sound and the spread offense made for mismatches late in the season. SMU's schedule sets up well for a realistic run at 7-5 or 6-6 finish.
