Ghost of Hayden Fry

by **ponyte** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:38 am

The Tulane game reminded me of the Hayden Fry teams of old. We would get behind and make a dramatic comeback late in the game. Most times it was too little too late.

We would have brilliant offense during our run and solid defense. That is the second half of last nightÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s game.

The Fry teams usually had mixed results offense and no defense in the first half. That was SMU against Tulane.

As exciting as it was the second half, I still feel we have not grasp the importance of defense. We rely on offense and don't have the defense we need. Meyer and Collins were believers in defense and our records back then showed how well the defense played.

Hopefully, JJ and the Stangs will continue to improve this defense and hopefully both sides of the ball will start play at the beginning of the game and not wait to the second half.

All in all I feel better now than I did last Saturday. I just donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t feel as good as a win.

by **NavyCrimson** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:42 am

BOY DO I REMEMBER THOSE GAMES!!!

by **ponyte** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:48 am

They were exciting games that left one on the edge of their seat. Unfortunately, we rarely overcame the hole we dug for ourselves and our records through the years reflected it.

I am not quite as embarrassed as I was after the Rice, TTU and TCU disasters but I just don't feel comfortable with a noble second half after a monstrosity of a first half.

by **NavyCrimson** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:56 am

I agree but in this case, we simply don't have the talent. 20+ yrs of neglect by the administration is where we are now. With Fry's teams, we had talent, we're in the SWC, & were seasoned teams more times than not.

I'm like you though - we're a few years away from having a good competitive team & 5-6 years from having big, tough teams.

But if the administration is dead set on winning, it'll happen - finally.

by **PoconoPony** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 7:44 pm

I also recall Frye making some very interesting!!!!coaching decisions/non-decisions during games that led to dilemmas.

by **PlanoStang** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 8:00 pm

Yeah, my family nicknamed him field goal Fry. Never gambled much, it
seemed, with 4 and 1 in the red zone. :roll:

I remember watching the Arkansas game in 68 on TV that was up there
in Arkansas. With Hixson passing, LeVias & Co. catching, and the draw
play to Richardson dragging people up the middle, we came back from
either 35 - 0, or 35 - 7 in the late 3rd qtr, or start of the 4th to almost
snatch the W from the jaw's of L 29 - 35.

smuchuckhixsonalumgame86.jpg

by **mrydel** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 8:58 pm

I may well be mistaken but I think that picture is Hixson throwing to Ponyte, who is obviously out of the picture.

by **MrMustang1965** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:56 pm

Sweet Christmas! Look at the BIG MEN in that photo!

by **mrydel** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 7:38 am

MrMustang1965 wrote:Sweet Christmas! Look at the BIG MEN in that photo!

And not just the ones leaning on the fence in the background.

by **ponyte** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 7:42 am

I hate to admit it, but Hixson and the alums that day played like a Fry team. A lot of excitement and we still lost.

by **max the wonder dog** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 10:43 am

If JJ leaves SMU to take an Iowa team to the Rose Bowl I'm jumping off a bridge

by **MrMustang1965** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 11:35 am

max the wonder dog wrote:If JJ leaves SMU to take an Iowa team to the Rose Bowl I'm jumping off a bridge

He'd have to detour thru Denton first.

by **NavyCrimson** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 11:41 am

I think Hayden grew at SMU but his knack was with the state schools (NTSU & Iowa) vs. his one & only private employer - us.

Ghost of Hayden Fry

Ghost of Hayden Fry

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