SMU Postgame Notes – October 2, 2021
[rv/rv] SMU 41, USF 17
SMU (5-0, 1-0 American), USF (1-4, 0-1 American)
Gerald J. Ford Stadium – Dallas, Texas
NEXT GAME
At Navy - Saturday, October 9 – 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT – Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium – Annapolis, Maryland
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: KTCK The Ticket 96.7 FM/1310 AM | TuneIn app | SMU Mobile App/Varsity Network
TEAM NOTES
Captains: Trevor Denbow (#16, S, Sr.), Tanner Mordecai (#8, QB, Jr.), Shaine Hailey (#23, LB, Sr.), Delano Robinson (#3, LB, Sr.), Reggie Roberson, Jr. (#21, WR, Sr.), Grant Calcaterra (#88, TE, Sr.), Hayden Howerton (#75, OL, Sr.)
SMU is 22-6 since the start of 2019
SMU is 12-1 at home since the start of 2019
SMU has started at least 5-0 for the third straight season (8-0 in 2019, 5-0 in 2020)
First time to start at least 5-0 in three straight seasons since 1981-83
Had 30 first downs for the second time this season (31 at Louisiana Tech)
Tanner Mordecai had 4 passing TDs (29-42, 301 yards)
He has at least 4 TD passes in each game this season (entering 2021, there had been 28 games with 4 passing TDs at SMU)
His 24 TD passes this season are T-6th in season at SMU (led FBS entering the game)
TD passes to Danny Gray (2), Rashee Rice, Reggie Roberson Jr.
Danny Gray and Rashee Rice have a TD reception in every game this season.
SMU CONSECUTIVE GAMES W/ A REC TD
1. James Proche, 2019: 12
2. Aldrick Robinson, 2010: 8
3. Emmanuel Sanders, 2006: 6
4. Aldrick Robinson, 2008: 5
Courtland Sutton, 2016-17: 5
James Proche, 2018: 5
Rashee Rice, 2021: 5
Danny Gray, 2021: 5
SMU had 463 yards of total offense (162 rushing, 301 passing)
SMU is averaging 532.4 yards per game (entered the game ranked 5th in FBS)
#ClubTakeaway | The Mustangs had 1 takeaway (fumble)
Had at least one takeaway in 7 straight games 16 of the past 17 games and 36 of past 39 games
9 takeaways so far this season
Interceptions:
Fumble Recoveries: Elijah Chatman (force by Gary Wiley)
Third downs | SMU 9-16 | USF 2-11
SMU was leading 10-0 at the end of the first quarter and 17-3 at halftime
Has been tied or leading at the end of the first quarter in 21 of the past 27 games
Has been tied or leading at halftime in 21 of the past 27 games
Has been tied or leading at halftime in each game this season
Series vs USF: now tied 3-3 (SMU has won two straight, 48-21 in 2019)
SMU INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
Tanner Mordecai (#8, QB, Jr.) – Davey O’Brien Award Watch List
29-42 passing for 301 yards with 4 TDs, and 7-28 rushing
Has at least 4 passing TDs in each game this season
Has 24 TD passes in the first 5 games (led the nation in TD passes with 20 entering the game)
SMU SEASON TD PASSES
1. Shane Buechele, 2019: 34
2. Ben Hicks, 2017: 33
3. Kyle Padron, 2010: 31
4. Justin Willis, 2006: 26
5. Justin Willis, 2007: 25
6. Bo Levi Mitchell, 2008: 24
Tanner Mordecai, 2021: 24
Reggie Roberson Jr. – Maxwell Award Watch List, Biletnikoff Award Watch List, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List, Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist, NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board, College Gridiron Showcase Watch List
Was 7-74 receiving with 2 TDs
Tied career high for receptions
2nd time this season with 2 TDs in a game
Third straight game with a TD catch
Has a catch in 27 straight games (entered game T-11th nationally in FBS)
SMU CAREER RECEIVING TDs
1. James Proche, 2016-19: 39
2. Emmanuel Sanders, 2006-09: 34
3. Courtland Sutton, 2014-17: 31
4. Aldrick Robinson, 2007-10: 30
5. Emanuel Tolbert, 1976-79: 25
6. Jerry LeVias, 1966-68: 22
7. Darius Johnson, 2009-12: 20
Reggie Roberson Jr. 2018- : 20
SMU CAREER RECEIVING YARDS
1. James Proche, 2016-19: 3,949
2. Emmanuel Sanders, 2006-09: 3,791
3. Aldrick Robinson, 2007-10: 3,314
4. Courtland Sutton, 2014-17: 3,220
5. Cole Beasley, 2008-11: 2,959
6. Darius Johnson, 2009-12: 2,854
7. Emanuel Tolbert, 1976-79: 2,784
8. Ron Morris, 1983-86: 2,410
9. Reggie Roberson Jr. 2018: 2,374
ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Alan Ali (#77, C, Jr.) - NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board, College Gridiron Showcase Watch List
33rd straight start
Ulysses Bentley IV (#7, RB, So.) – Maxwell Award Watch List, CFPA Watch List, Doak Walker Award Watch List, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List
Did Not Play
Grant Calcaterra (#88, TE, Sr.) - Mackey Award Watch List, Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist, NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board, College Gridiron Showcase Watch List
2-3 receiving
Elijah Chatman (#40, DE, Jr.)
Had 4 tackles and a fumble recovery, third of his career
Danny Gray (#5, WR, Sr.) - Paul Hornung Award Watch List, Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist
7-74 receiving with a TD
Has a TD in each game this season (7 receiving TDs on the season)
Hayden Howerton #75, OL, Sr.) – Williams V. Campbell Trophy Watch List
52nd game played as a Mustang, 46th start
Blake Mazza (#92, K, Sr.) - Lou Groza Award Watch List
2-2 on FGs (26, 30), 5-5 on PATs
Jimmy Phillips Jr. (#24, LB, Sr.)
Career-high and team-high 7 tackles (was 6), including a TFL
Rashee Rice (#11, WR, Jr.) - Biletnikoff Award Watch List
8-71 receiving with a TD
Career high for receptions (was 7)
Has a receiving TD in each of the five games this season
Delano Robinson (#3, LB, Sr.)
4 tackles, including first sack of the season
Tre Siggers (#4, RB, Sr.)
20-86 rushing with a TD
First TD of the season
Jaylon Thomas (#71, OL, Jr.) - Outland Trophy Watch List, Reese’s Senior Bowl Watchlist, NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Big Board, College Gridiron Showcase Watch List
Started 33 of past 34 games (Missed 2020 game at Tulsa due to injury)
Gary Wiley (#55, LB, Sr.)
Had 3 tackles, 2 TFLs and a sack
Has 3 sacks on the season
Had the forced fumble that was recovered by Elijah Chatman