Yahoo team report
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:33 amINSIDE SLANT
The Conference USA Championship is scheduled for Dec. 3. After SMU played in the title game for the first time last season, 2011 is all about making a return appearance, but winning it this time.
Even with 18 starters returning, that won’t be a given for the Mustangs, who will have to top strong contenders Houston and Tulsa if they’re to recapture the West Division title. Defending champion Central Florida, is again expected to be a force in the East Division, along with Southern Miss. And SMU faces both this season.
AdChoices
SMU, which has gone to consecutive bowl games for the first time since the 1984 and 1985, wants to continue to grow the program in coach June Jones’ fourth season. The tough schedule, which includes nonconference road games at Texas A&M and TCU, might make a huge jump from last season’s 7-7 final record difficult, even if the Mustangs improve.
Junior quarterback Kyle Padron is back to lead an offense looking to take advantage of all its scoring opportunities, after blowing too many drives with turnovers or bad decisions last season.
The defense, which ranked 40th in the Football Bowl Subdivision last season, could challenge Central Florida as the league’s best unit. Linebackers Ja’Gared Davis and Taylor Reed and lineman Taylor Thompson are legitimate stars.
SMU needs a breakout receiver to emerge to replace Aldrick Robinson, who was drafted by the Washington Redskins. Thousand-yard receiver Cole Beasley and the acrobatic Darius Johnson have the potential.
A veteran offensive line, anchored by all-league left tackle Kelvin Beachum, will help, along with the return of Zach Line, C-USA’s leading rusher. On defense, the Mustangs expect Cameron Rogers to take over sufficiently at inside linebacker but need a replacement for Youri Yenga on the outside.
The secondary needs to continue to improve, as does special teams, which has kicking questions and needs to fix troubles in the punt return game under new unit coach Frank Gansz Jr.
INSIDE SLANT
Strategy And Personnel
Head Coach: June Jones, fourth year at SMU, 91-64 career record, 16-23 at SMU
Most Important Player: QB Kyle Padron—The 6-foot-2 junior comes into the fall with a season and a half of experience as the starter and a competitive chip on his shoulder to prove he is indeed capable of mastering the Run and Shoot. He set single-season school records in yards passing (3,828) and 35 touchdowns responsible for (31 pass, 4 rush), but missed big-play opportunities. He needs to “get it†at a higher level this season.
Breakout Star: LB Cameron Rogers—the junior takes over for graduated Pete Fleps as the Mustangs’ starting inside linebacker. He proved a solid backup last season and there should be little drop off on a defense that wants to prove it’s capable of at least limiting big offensive numbers and flashy quarterbacks that will headline C-USA. He’ll be surrounded by standouts Ja’Gared Davis and Taylor Reed and plays behind a formidable defensive line.
Newcomer To Watch: QB Conner Preston—The freshman from California made sure to arrive in Dallas in time to go through spring ball. He’s highly regarded by the coaching staff and comes from a top high school program.
Roster Report:
• RB Zach Line (1,494 yards in 2010) missed spring ball with a hip injury but is expected to return for fall camp.
• DL Torlan Pittman returns to provide depth on the line after missing 2010 dealing with legal issues.
=====================man i am starting to spend way to much time at work looking for info on SMU PONY UP YALL!!!!!!!
The Conference USA Championship is scheduled for Dec. 3. After SMU played in the title game for the first time last season, 2011 is all about making a return appearance, but winning it this time.
Even with 18 starters returning, that won’t be a given for the Mustangs, who will have to top strong contenders Houston and Tulsa if they’re to recapture the West Division title. Defending champion Central Florida, is again expected to be a force in the East Division, along with Southern Miss. And SMU faces both this season.
AdChoices
SMU, which has gone to consecutive bowl games for the first time since the 1984 and 1985, wants to continue to grow the program in coach June Jones’ fourth season. The tough schedule, which includes nonconference road games at Texas A&M and TCU, might make a huge jump from last season’s 7-7 final record difficult, even if the Mustangs improve.
Junior quarterback Kyle Padron is back to lead an offense looking to take advantage of all its scoring opportunities, after blowing too many drives with turnovers or bad decisions last season.
The defense, which ranked 40th in the Football Bowl Subdivision last season, could challenge Central Florida as the league’s best unit. Linebackers Ja’Gared Davis and Taylor Reed and lineman Taylor Thompson are legitimate stars.
SMU needs a breakout receiver to emerge to replace Aldrick Robinson, who was drafted by the Washington Redskins. Thousand-yard receiver Cole Beasley and the acrobatic Darius Johnson have the potential.
A veteran offensive line, anchored by all-league left tackle Kelvin Beachum, will help, along with the return of Zach Line, C-USA’s leading rusher. On defense, the Mustangs expect Cameron Rogers to take over sufficiently at inside linebacker but need a replacement for Youri Yenga on the outside.
The secondary needs to continue to improve, as does special teams, which has kicking questions and needs to fix troubles in the punt return game under new unit coach Frank Gansz Jr.
INSIDE SLANT
Strategy And Personnel
Head Coach: June Jones, fourth year at SMU, 91-64 career record, 16-23 at SMU
Most Important Player: QB Kyle Padron—The 6-foot-2 junior comes into the fall with a season and a half of experience as the starter and a competitive chip on his shoulder to prove he is indeed capable of mastering the Run and Shoot. He set single-season school records in yards passing (3,828) and 35 touchdowns responsible for (31 pass, 4 rush), but missed big-play opportunities. He needs to “get it†at a higher level this season.
Breakout Star: LB Cameron Rogers—the junior takes over for graduated Pete Fleps as the Mustangs’ starting inside linebacker. He proved a solid backup last season and there should be little drop off on a defense that wants to prove it’s capable of at least limiting big offensive numbers and flashy quarterbacks that will headline C-USA. He’ll be surrounded by standouts Ja’Gared Davis and Taylor Reed and plays behind a formidable defensive line.
Newcomer To Watch: QB Conner Preston—The freshman from California made sure to arrive in Dallas in time to go through spring ball. He’s highly regarded by the coaching staff and comes from a top high school program.
Roster Report:
• RB Zach Line (1,494 yards in 2010) missed spring ball with a hip injury but is expected to return for fall camp.
• DL Torlan Pittman returns to provide depth on the line after missing 2010 dealing with legal issues.
=====================man i am starting to spend way to much time at work looking for info on SMU PONY UP YALL!!!!!!!
BAM never mind there it is hehehehehe