Long overdue FRIDAY PRACTICE notes

[PonyPride]

How's this for late (by the time most read this, it will be time for Saturday's report - which will be a little more timely. Lo siento.

• What's in a number? It was a little weird Friday to see DeMyron Martin on defense, racing around an offensive tackle into the backfield, where he made a hit on ... DeMyron Martin. Lack of coffee aside, the mystery didn't last long: defensive end Anthony Sowe was wearing jersey No. 8.

• A measure of trust: Bo Levi Mitchell, who probably took at least 75 percent of the snaps Friday, fired a rope over the middle that led Emmanuel Sanders just enough that he had to lay out to reach the pass. Despite being in the center of the field - where safeties and linebackers tend to roam - Sanders did exactly that, stretching out to make a nice grab. More impressive than the catch itself was that he didn't short-arm it and curl up to protect himself, as safety Seth Sloan was headed right at him at full speed and had a chance to blow him up. Sloan wisely chose not to.

• Strong passes look great ... if they're on target: As the quarterback battle unfolded this summer, it has become clear that some of the SMU quarterbacks have pretty strong throwing arms. Firing fastballs all over the place is great, and looks great. But the risk involved is when a pass goes astray - the faster they are, the further the distance by which they miss their intended target. When Logan Turner spotted Cole Loftin over the middle on a crossing route about 20 yards downfield, he dialed up his best fastball ... and airmailed it several feet over Loftin's outstretched arms. De'Von Bailey made the interception about 10 yards farther downfied.

• Fast and aggressive: Defensive coordinator Tom Mason has said since he arrived that if nothing else, his defense will play fast and will be aggressive. When Derrius Bell popped the ball free from Josh Bryant after Bryant had caught a quick screen pass from Bo Levi Mitchell, no fewer than six defensive players hit the ground in pursuit of the pigskin. Bryan McCann ended up scooping up the ball, hurdling a fallen teammate and sprinting into the end zone.

• Physics don't always apply: Safest bet in the world: Andrew McKinney (6-4, 263) turns upfield and sees Derrius Bell (5-10, 170). Who wins that collision? Right - BELL. McKinney caight a quick screen pass from Mitchell and turned upfield, but before he could really get his momentum going, Bell was on him. He didn't plant him and stand over him or anything, but by getting into McKinney's ribcage before McKinney could build up a head of steam, Bell was able to steer the fifth-year senior with nearly a 100-pound weight advantage out of bounds before even reaching the line of scrimmage.

• More Mustang greats: Among the spectators at practice were former All-America running back Reggie Dupard; former defensive lineman-turned-offensive tackle Uzo Okeke, now a scout with the Montreal Alouettes after a long playing career in the CFL and with the Chicago Bears; tight end Derek Swofford and defensive tackle Allan Adami.

• In midseason form: Many of the players ended practice Friday with some conditioning runs. The team split up into groups: linemen, skill position guys, etc. One of the last sprints sounded a little louder at one end of the field, where some linebackers were sprinting. Finishing in a very tight cluster were Jason Jackson, Brendan Ahern, Ryan Moxygemba ... and defensive coordinator Tom Mason. He didn't beat his guys down the field, but he hung pretty close - the man was moving. (For the record, not one member of the media joined in.)

[expony18]

better late then never.... thanks PP

[ALEX LIFESON]

Thanks double P!

[RoyBell]

Thanks a lot I was about to turn in for the night when my wife said he wrote the updates for today. I pulled it up on my phone and it was good news about my son. Again thanks I read them daily.