New DMN Story: SMU Prepares for Marshall Without Willis

[MrMustang1965]

By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News

UNIVERSITY PARK – So far, SMU quarterback Justin Willis is still suspended from the football team pending further investigation. That means sophomore Corey Slater is the Mustangs' starting quarterback for Saturday's crucial Conference USA game with Marshall.

"We support Justin," Bennett said Tuesday at his weekly news conference. "We care about him. We know the situation. All I will say at this point is I hope at some point that we get the situation resolved."

Willis is suspended because of an altercation with a male SMU student early Friday morning. The alleged victim accused Willis of a hate crime in a police report, but Donna Hernandez, a spokesperson for the Dallas Police Department, said Tuesday that the incident should not be classified as a hate crime at this time. No charges have been filed.

The alleged victim is supposed to meet with Dallas police later this week. SMU's Office of Student Life has also been investigating since Friday.

Willis and his father, Samuel, were on campus Tuesday, waiting for some kind of change.

Meanwhile, Bennett is trying to make sure SMU (3-3, 1-1 C-USA) is focused on Marshall (1-4, 0-1). He admitted the team was distracted by the Willis situation for last week's loss at UT-El Paso.

"If we can learn something from all this, we'll grow from it," Bennett said. "We've got to progress past that. We've got a lot at stake Saturday. We've got to get refocused."

Slater steps up: Slater (6-2, 220 pounds) said Tuesday he did feel like he was thrown into the fire when he was told he'd be starting in Willis' place last week at UTEP about 24 hours before kickoff.

The game was played in a downpour, which Slater said gave him an edge.

"I'm from Seattle," Slater said. "It was second nature. I tried to reassure a lot of the players."

Slater, a junior college transfer from Dixie State (Utah), survived a rough first half, played better in the second half and finished 10-of-20 for 132 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Slater and Bennett said they expect a better showing this week because Slater has the time to prepare as the starter.

"I think Corey can run our offense," Bennett said.

Briefly: Defensive ends Justin Rogers (neck) and Cory Muse (knee) are questionable. ... Marshall's record could be misleading. Three of its losses were at West Virginia, at Kansas State and at Tennessee.

[J.T.supporta]

Yes as thought so, Willis will miss yet another game.

I believe there is still hope though. PB said at the earliest, Willis could be back at practice by tomarrow.

So there is still hope...

[smu diamond m]

That story doesn't say anything we didn't already know about his suspension.

[Mustangs35SMU]

As long as he's back by next week, I'll be happy.

[MustangMan2001]

the most important thing in the article is that the Dallas Police are saying it is being classified incorrectly and that as of now IT IS NOT A HATE CRIME.


LET WILLS PLAY!!!

[regis]

Hate crimes and suicide attempts....It's been a rough few weeks for DPD.

[jtstang]

As long as he's back by next week, I'll be happy.

So that means you're happy he's not back this week?