Sunday's Two DMN Stories on SMU's Win Over Ark. State!

[MrMustang1965]

Resurgant Mustangs Showing Some Giddyap

By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News

UNIVERSITY PARK – Maybe now, SMU can finally put the North Texas nightmare behind it.

Maybe now, SMU is playing like some expected when the season started amidst bowl talk.

SMU throttled Arkansas State, 55-9, Saturday night at Ford Stadium, rolling up 457 yards of offense behind four touchdown passes from redshirt freshman quarterback Justin Willis.

Coach Phil Bennett wouldn't use the term "must-win" before the game, but a second straight victory in convincing fashion, and the first against a Division 1-A team, helps minimize the disappointing North Texas loss and 0-2 start. More important, it boosts SMU to 2-2 heading into Conference USA play and a tough two-game trip to Tulane and UT-El Paso.

The 2-2 start is the Mustangs' best since they opened the 1996 season with the same record.

Bowl talk is still on the backburner, but it at least seems possible again. SMU would have to win four of its remaining eight games to become bowl eligible, the stated goal of athletic director Steve Orsini and Bennett for this season.

"The last two weeks, we've made up some ground," Bennett said.

SMU's 55 points were the most by SMU in a game since 1999, and the most at Ford Stadium.

SMU, which took just 90 seconds to score, never trailed and reeled off 31 straight points to close the half with a 38-6 lead. SMU had 335 yards of offense by the break.

Willis, who had plenty of time to look downfield and now has 10 career touchdown passes, led an offense that scored both quickly and deliberately. He was 15-of-24 for 151 yards and an interception. He found tight end Ryan Kennedy for touchdown passes of 6, 24 and 10 yards, and connected with Emmanuel Sanders for a 4-yard score.

Willis wasn't the only Mustang to pass for a touchdown. Wide receiver Zack Sledge took a lateral from Willis and connected with Bobby Chase blazing up the sideline for a 75-yard trick scoring play and SMU's third touchdown, with 14:20 left in the second quarter. Sledge also recovered a botched punt attempted for a touchdown in the final minutes.

Thomas Morstead drilled a field goal in each half, including a 51-yarder as time expired at halftime. It was SMU's longest since 1997.

Redshirt freshman James Mapps rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown late in the game.
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SMU Tight End Catches 3 TD Passes in SMU Win Over Ark. State

By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News

UNIVERSITY PARK – Before the season, SMU coach Phil Bennett said it was important to get senior tight end Ryan Kennedy involved in the offense.

But after three games, Kennedy had only four catches for 28 yards and a touchdown.

He certainly got more involved Saturday against Arkansas State.

Kennedy had three catches, all for touchdowns.

"I know as a defensive coach, when you defend an offense where the tight end is a threat, it's hard as the dickens," Bennett said. "Ryan's too good a player, and we have built our offense around doing some things he can do."

Getting creative: Bennett said he chastised offensive coordinator Rusty Burns after SMU picked up a substitution violation penalty early in the second quarter. The Mustangs were trying to get receiver Bobby Chase into the game.

On the next play, Zack Sledge took a lateral from quarterback Justin Willis and threw for a 75-yard touchdown pass to Chase.

"As soon as we threw the pass, I said, 'I apologize,' " Bennett said.

SMU tight end Ryan Kennedy was on the receiving end of touchdown passes covering 6, 24 and 10 yards from Justin Willis. The quarterback completed 15 of 24 passes for 151 yards.
Defense improves: Bennett was impressed with the play of the defense, particularly the pressure the front four was able to apply.

"We played like we were playing fast," Bennett said.

Some of the highlights: Defensive end Justin Rogers had three sacks for 23 yards and also forced a fumble. Defensive back Bryan McCann had an interception that led to a touchdown and also recovered a fumble.

Arkansas State had only 69 yards rushing and lost four fumbles.

[smupony94]

I bought a copy at Love Field and saved it as we were the top story.