1) Limited camera shots showing the crowd ( or lack thereof ). Those fan shots were for the most part complimentary, and showed at least some enthusiasm...the guy in the ref shirt with the half-cut football on his head looked like he could still have some eligibility left...he had the size. Somebody check into that...
2) Muse, Haywood, and Rogers kept a steady and finally increasing pressure on the UAB backfield. The defense did not fold in any of the situations followng turnovers, which again lends me to believe that this is a group that will win a couple of more games for SMU. The O-line for UAB was doing the close-snuggle ( read HOLDING ) on Rogers for the balance of the evening, with ultimately one call. Nevertheless, an encouraging sign that the defense continues to assert itself.
3) After all the [deleted] and moaning the last few years about missed or phantom calls that have gone against SMU, the reception/fumble and the UAB 4th down calls/no-calls were significant. That, as much as the defense swung the game, IMO. Those go the other way, and we are in deep weeds.
4) Stretch the field at least once during the game on offense....just to keep the fan interest. Givens, Sanders, even Chase could have moved the safety off the line of scrimage by throwing over the top once a half. The conservative play calling will cost SMU another game...soon.
5) Martin is still not right. He turned out away from tackles, which has not been his method when healthy. Did anyone else notice that he kept looking over to the sideline following carries ? James and Flutie both commented on the lack of aggressiveness and that there had to be problem. Mapps was steady, and had a great burst for the TD. Let DM get 100% back before he is in again.
6) Craig James will never say enough good things about SMU for his detractors, and never be photo'd enough for those that worship 32. He is what he is...a visible link on a national stage to our successful past.
I do aggree with him 100% that SMU should dominate CUSA, and have an expectation of no less than 9-3. That type of accountability will help eliminate the mediocrity that has been the expectation of SMU football.
7) Phil Bennett had complimentary things to say during halftime, and postgame, mentioning the national championship aspirations of '82-83, and making it clear that turning the corner has " taken longer than it should have." Class.
It was a typical, sweat-it-out SMU win. I am happier in the office this morning than I was after the ECU debacle. Life is good. Now if there were just some way to get the UTEP/NTSU/ECU games back...
Rant off.
