Bennett's quote at the end is ominous.
By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News
EL PASO – SMU suffered through a miserable Friday, when starting quarterback Justin Willis was suspended indefinitely for violation of team rules.
The Mustangs suffered through a miserable first half Saturday night against UT-El Paso, falling behind 17-0 while backup Corey Slater managed one first down. Defensive end Justin Rogers left the field in an ambulance.
And then, suddenly, in front of 41,258 in a steady downpour at the Sun Bowl, SMU showed there was still hope.
The Mustangs launched a more-than-improbable comeback, scoring 21 straight points to take the lead briefly in the second half, before finally falling, 24-21.
"I'm very proud of the second half," coach Phil Bennett said. "It's just a shame that we waited till the second half to make a run. ... You've got some sick guys in there, some sick coaches. I want to set the tempo that there are no moral victories."
The game was finally decided when UTEP running back Marcus Thomas found Daniel Robinson for a 27-yard touchdown that wrenched the lead back with 8:28 remaining.
SMU (3-3, 1-1 Conference USA) couldn't keep up its offensive outburst, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble on its remaining drives.
The Mustangs had a chance because the defense held UTEP's potent passing game mostly in check, though UTEP outgained them 387 yards to 190. Without anything to lose, SMU and Slater looked like a different team and player in the second half.
"That's my job on this team, to be ready when they need me," Slater said. "I felt I was."
Slater was 10-of-20 for 132 yards, 115 of which came in the second half. He passed for touchdowns to Bobby Chase and Emmanuel Sanders in the third quarter, closing the deficit to 17-14.
Then, early in the fourth, SMU defensive back Jonathan Lindley recovered Thomas' fumble and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown and a 21-17 lead.
But SMU couldn't hold on.
SMU's chances of making it a game didn't seem good early.
UTEP (3-2, 1-0) scored on the opening drive, with Jordan Palmer finding Joe West for a 12-yard score. Then Johnnie Lee Higgins Jr. returned a punt 63 yards. A field goal made it 17-0. UTEP outgained SMU 230-38 in the half.
Midway through the second quarter, Rogers injured his neck. His teammates surrounded him on the stretcher before he was placed in the ambulance. Rogers was released from the hospital, and test results were negative.
Bennett said the team was inspired by the injury.
"They wanted to play well for him," Bennett said. "He's our inspirational leader."
Bennett said the team was not distracted by the suspension. He said Slater is "more than qualified to be our starting quarterback."
Briefly: DeMyron Martin led SMU rushers with 55 yards in his first game back from a foot injury.
