Great story on Sir Lance

[ALEX LIFESON]

http://www.smudailycampus.com/sports/de ... ny-express

[SoCal_Pony]

Thanks for sharing. Lance was such a great competitor.

All-Time Winningest QB in SWC history, Nuff Said.

He is IMO, completely worthy of induction into the Texas HS & College FB HoF.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

I agree! With the incredible history of the SWC it is amazing there weren't any winninger quarterbacks.

Lance is the greatest!

[No Quarter]

The WIKI has it pretty much right, or at least the way I remember it. I saw Don McIlhenny play and I think the picture of him was from the 1956 Rotunda, but I can't find my copy. And of course any SMU fan of a certain age remembers Lance McIlhenny optioning Pitt for the only and winning TD on a nasty day in the Cotton Bowl.

The author notes that Lance had a brother and he played also, at HP and SMU. His name was Lott and IIRC he played TE and some FB at SMU. Before their time on the Hilltop I saw the HP team with both Lott and Lance on the roster beat W.T. White in the Cotton Bowl on a cold night. I think Lott was a starter.

IMO the article should at least have named Lott McIlhenny.

[skyscraper]

One of the best DC articles I've read. Excellent.

[BCHIKERS2]

Lance is the best.

[PonyTime]

That is by far, the best written story written in the Daily Campus in years. That Kylie Madry has a bright future in journalism.

[ponyte]

Great article about a great player.

[Arkpony]

Interesting sidelight Lance: The year Meyer signed him, Meyer told me he didn't know if he could really find a spot for Lance on the team but felt he had to sign him as the McElhaneys were a legacy with SMU and he was a Highland Park product. I mentioned the remark to Meyer a few years later and he smiled and said, "Well, I'm not the brightest sometimes." Obviously one of his best signings ever.

[Stallion]

Lance was a superstar recruit. He even made the DMN Blue Chip List which was a big deal back then. Top 15-20 players in the State of Texas. Read the article about all the top national programs that offered

"McIlhenny’s skill with the option attracted many suitors. SMU, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Alabama and Nebraska all wanted him. And yes, the Mustangs were once considered in that company."

[PonyTime]

Lance was a superstar recruit. He even made the DMN Blue Chip List which was a big deal back then. Top 15-20 players in the State of Texas. Read the article about all the top national programs that offered

"McIlhenny’s skill with the option attracted many suitors. SMU, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Alabama and Nebraska all wanted him. And yes, the Mustangs were once considered in that company."

This was also in a time period where Meyer has said he was not looking to sign College Football players, but future NFL players. So I do not doubt that Meyer may have thought that at the time. And if he was still assuming he was going to run a passing offense, you would have to think that Lance would not have been high on the list.

[No Quarter]

Lance was a superstar recruit. He even made the DMN Blue Chip List which was a big deal back then. Top 15-20 players in the State of Texas. Read the article about all the top national programs that offered

"McIlhenny’s skill with the option attracted many suitors. SMU, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Alabama and Nebraska all wanted him. And yes, the Mustangs were once considered in that company."

This was also in a time period where Meyer has said he was not looking to sign College Football players, but future NFL players. So I do not doubt that Meyer may have thought that at the time. And if he was still assuming he was going to run a passing offense, you would have to think that Lance would not have been high on the list.

RE: Stallion's post - There was a story about Lance visiting Alabama because he wanted to meet Bear Bryant who was "part of history."

RE: Pony Times post - Before the NFL draft when Lance was finished at SMU, there was a story that at least one NFL team would have taken him as a DB had his 40 time been better, and with the thought he might also be a situation QB running options.

[ponyboy]

My "SMU is" sign in the front yard is "SMU is #11, Lance"

[Arkpony]

I'm just repeating what Meyer told me while we waited on his flight at the airport. Has nothing to do with Lance's "rankings" whatsoever. Just what Meyer was thinking at the time he spoke with me.

[peruna81]

This was also in a time period where Meyer has said he was not looking to sign College Football players, but future NFL players. So I do not doubt that Meyer may have thought that at the time. And if he was still assuming he was going to run a passing offense, you would have to think that Lance would not have been high on the list.

Meyer already had a potential NFL player in Mike Ford playing at QB...when Ford's knee was ravaged and rolled up, and later stumbled against I believe UH (IIRC), Meyer made the move to change not only the QB, but also the offense. It was a HUGE move, and one that changed SMU football history.

Lance was stone-dead tough, and took lethal hits while delivering the ball to TBs at the last possible second. He was a winner, and a LEADER (definition:"Follow me")