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for the rest of the season. Thank goodness! I couldn't watch any more of our 117th ranked offense. I stayed to the end of this one hoping to see one positive...I did not.

The positive came in the car on the way home when Bennett sounded very angry and said that he had announced to the team that Phillips would start the rest of the year.

<small>[ 10-18-2003, 02:46 PM: Message edited by: Diehard Pony ]</small>

WOW. In the post-game interview, Bennett just sounded about like he wanted to commit suicide. Then he dropped the bomb about Phillips, and about 2 oz. of Budweiser went down my windpipe, and I haven't recovered. At this point in the season, I'm not sure I agree with it, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I guess it might not be so bad, since we're leaving Meeks' redshirt on. Seems a little late? Guess he's a little fed up with 9-25 passing.

Bennett also made a point to say "we're going to get a JUNIOR COLLEGE QUARTERBACK in here."

Knucklestang, where did you hear the press conference...the ticket? Is it recorded anywhere? Thanks.

Echo, Bennett's comments came at the close of the broadcast via The Ticket. I recorded it if the Webmaster wants it.

The Ticket. As far as being recorded, it might eventually turn up on the SMU site. Said he'd already announced it to the team. When asked how they reacted to this, he said "I'm not concerned with their reaction." A man at the end of his rope. Said he's not knocking anybody, but Bartel and Wallis have basically had their chance.

Thanks...I hope the taped broadcast turns up somewhere...Do you get any sense that Bennett's afraid for his job?

Bartel wasn't the only one he was mad at! He was just as angry with the defensive backs as the offense! I couldn't believe how lousy the backs were today. Even when they were in position to make a play they didn't! JUST PATHETIC! Time to try out more backups!

also said he can't believe the guys in the secondary will not compete for the ball. Thats what I'm seeing, its just mind boggling. Bartel unfortunately played his way out of the job today. He had a pocket several times and sailed the ball 15 yards from the receiver. Its time for Phillips, its our only hope to spark something.

I heard it too. Coach Bennett basically said, we weren't getting any production out of the QB spot, Philip's red shirt is coming off, they look for Meeks to be a guy who can compete in the spring and they were going after a JUCO QB (congratulations Stallion).

E-mail the audio clip to me and we'll put it on the site.

check the recruiting board for my GUESS as to whom it might be.

I am in sock after hearing Coach Bennett's statement on the radio, this was one of total panic & desperation which has been showing up on the field.
Taking off the RS will be further proof of this. Why, well let's assume that Phillips lights up the Team, all of out there will say "why didn't he do this earlier ( Last year Game 8 Bartel ).
If things don't improve he would have wasted Phillips for a lost season.
Next Bennett wants a "JUNIOR COLLEGE QUARTERBACK "
or is going to get one or already has one set.
So now we have two good QB's (Phillips & JUCO) with Meeks available and Bartel, Wallis with some experience plus all the others who have not had a shot.
This is a BAD move... but I will be there to cheer on which ever selection is made.
0-12 at this stage would be acceptble if I could see some improvement every game, alas what I see does not count but I know we got trashed.

0-7 is not good but stay with the plan you had at the start of the season.

I do not think this is panic or desparation. I think that Bennett has realized that neither Bartel nor Wallis are the quarterbacks of the future. Had either of them performed well enough to show some improvement over last year, all would have been ok while we redshirted all of the players we could. It is obvious now, however, that someone else is going to have to QB next year. If it is to be Phillips, might as well let him get some real experience now. Regardless of his ability, stepping in this year as a true fresheman or opening game next year as a redshirt freshman, there would need to be some serious learning time. This way Phillips will be able to gain some experience so he can feel comfortable at the outset of next year, or if things are still not going well it sounds like there are plans for a JC QB to be ready with some experience. At 0 for 7 it is time to get all the experience possible for next year at any skill position. I am still in favor of redshirting as many big guys as possible in order to have both depth and experience on both sides of the line. I still have the utmost faith in Bennett's building for the future, but I can feel his frustration in things not happening as he would like. Let us try to remember that the process is still young and the players new and old still need our support.

Haha. Look, you have to give you starting QB's a chance. He did. But it's obvious these kids are not improving. This whole team looks desperate. Their morale is horrible.

Drastic measures might just provide a spark. I'm not exactly sure Phillips is the QB of the future. Which is fine with me.. I trust Bennett can get plenty more talent at QB in the coming years.

Originally posted by Diehard Pony:
The positive came in the car on the way home when Bennett sounded very angry and said that he had announced to the team that Phillips would start the rest of the year.

Good - I'm glad he sounded angry. If the players know their positions -- all of them -- are in jeopardy, maybe we won't have any more situations of DBs not competing for the ball when it arrives.

Originally posted by KnuckleStang:
Bennett also made a point to say "we're going to get a JUNIOR COLLEGE QUARTERBACK in here."

I'm in total support of that idea.

Originally posted by echothat1:
...Do you get any sense that Bennett's afraid for his job?

I don't think he's afraid for his job. He has the total support of the administration, as he should. You couldn't fairly get rid of him based on what's happened thus far, just like if his record was reversed, you shouldn't throw a lifetime contract his way yet.

Originally posted by SMUFinns:
... this was one of total panic & desperation which has been showing up on the field.

I don't think it's panic, I think it's more frustration. The coaches have made every effort to allow Bartel and/or Wallis grow into the position, and while each has shown promise, the development hasn't been there yet. They each have talent. They each have strengths and weaknesses. But so far, they haven't gotten the job done. I think this is a great move. Not that I want to give up on Bartel and Wallis, but the offense has struggled, and until we test Phillips, we just won't know if he's the spark the offense needs. And I'm going to Tulsa to find out!