Cover band: Thursday is the birthday of two of SMU's trainers, Rachel and Faith. Rachel got serenaded with a round of Happy Birthday by the defensive backs — a nice gesture to one of those who keep the players hydrated and in one piece, but it's safe to say these guys were recruited for their coverage skills, not their singing voices.
Talented twosome: Two of the great players in SMU history — former All-America RB Reggie Dubard and former All-America DB Russell Carter — were in attendance at Thursday's morning practice.
Give and take: In the team's 7-on-7 drills, when an offensive play didn't work — either because of an errant pass, a drop by a receiver or a play that was made by the defense — FS Chris Banjo needled the opposition with a chant of "Let's go offense." Shortly after he started his catcalls, WR Emmanuel Sanders caught a long touchdown pass down the left sideline, and got up looking for Banjo, echoing the chant.
Fresh start: Freshman WR Darius Johnson had a strong practice Thursday morning, making a number of catches in traffic and one on a pass that was tipped in front of him. On one play, he reached out to snatch a pass that was just out of reach of a lunging SS Rock Dennis and held on despite CB Derrius Bell swatting at the ball; shortly thereafter, Johnson made a beautiful diving catch of a ball that was threaded through three defenders: LBs Cameron Rogers and Chase Kennemer, and SS Dennis.
Catch of the day: If Johnson's catch in triple coverage wasn't the best catch of the day, that honor would have to go to WR Cole Loftin, who hauled in a pass that was dropped over a diving SS Bryce Hudman and just past the outstretched arms of CB Sterling Moore.
On the move: DE Torlan Pittman got some work as a backup NT, as did former OL Jimmy Chase.
Bouncing back: The Ponies generally don't do a lot of hitting in practice, but WR Terrance Wilkerson took a shot from CB Derrius Bell while running a pass route up the right sideline. Moments later, when QB Bo Levi Mitchell lofted a 30-yard pass into the end zone, Bell leaped to knock the ball away ... and tipped it right into the waiting arms of Wilkerson.
Making a splash: After working on field goal drills, special teams coach Dennis McKnight stopped the Ponies in mid-drill, and ordered the entire team off the field about 20 minutes before practice was scheduled to end ... and told the team to report to the Barr swimming pool for a relaxing cool-down session.
