From the Austin paper

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TEXAS STATE FOOTBALL
Preview: Texas State vs. SMU

By Bill Harrison
Saturday, September 06, 2008

After stepping down to a Division II opponent in its season opener last week, Texas State steps up into the Division I-A world this week, facing Southern Methodist's high-flying offense run by first-year coach June Jones.

Following the Bobcats' 21-14 season-opening win over Angelo State, coach Brad Wright said that stepping down to play a lower-division school is somewhat of a lose-lose proposition — a win is expected and not overly celebrated. This week, the same could be said for the Mustangs.

Last week, SMU threw for 326 yards but came up short in a 56-27 loss to Rice.

"Obviously, Coach Jones is going to put the ball up 50-60 times," Wright noted, "and we've got to do a good job in the secondary."

For his own offense, Wright said that he is sticking with Bradley George as starter at quarterback after George completed just 2 of 11 passes with two interceptions before being benched in the second half in favor of backup Clint Toon (6 of 11, one TD, 1 INT), who rallied the team with two fourth-quarter touchdown drives for the win. As planned from the start of the season, the two will continue to rotate and see playing time.

"Offensively, we're going to run downhill and see how good they are defensively," Wright said of facing SMU. "We're not Rice; we're not going to be in four or five wideouts. We're going to do what we've planned to do and see if they can stop us."

Who's hot

Bobcats receiver Cameron Luke: After a mostly undistinguished night, Luke showed why he was a first-team all-Southland selection when last week's opener was on the line. With less than three minutes to play and facing third down and 13 yards, Luke caught Clint Toon's 29-yard throw and hung on despite a massive hit by Angelo State corner Rickey McKinley. Luke walked off the field slowly, but he did his job, setting up the Bobcats at the Rams' 4 for the winning score two plays later.

Who's not

Bobcats quarterback Bradley George: Entering his third year as starter and second in offensive coordinator Travis Bush's system, a 2-for-11 game wasn't the output George and the coaches were envisioning for the signal-caller. George endured a slow start last year, as well, but this year has more speed and weapons at his disposal at wide receiver.

Scouting the Mustangs

SMU's 1-11 record last season and malaise since the NCAA's death penalty in the 1980s prompted the Mustangs to break the bank and sign coach June Jones to a five-year, $10 million deal, luring Jones from his turnaround success at Hawaii. Defense may be more of a problem than offense, initially, as SMU gave up 466 yards to Rice. The Mustangs play a true freshman at quarterback, Bo Levi Mitchell, who completed 25-of-43 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns last week. Receiver Emmanuel Sanders led the team last season with 74 receptions and 889 yards.