Very Impressive

by **Stallion** » Sat Apr 17, 2004 4:16 pm

SMU's offense scored 5 TDs and Alvin Nanbuife chipped in a tipped interception return for a TD as the Red team won 42-20. The White team was spotted 17 points. TB Foy Munlin had one of the most impressive spring games in SMU history as a repeatedly chewed up huge chunks of yardage showing quickness, elusiveness and toughness in equal portions. He also chipped in several impressive catches out of the backfield for additional chunks of yardage. The budding star in my eye is IR Devin Lowery who had at least 7 catches all downfield. Lowery gets open a generally had several yards of separation on each catches. Looks like a 4 year star to me. SMU may have hit big-time on this gamble. Munlin and Chris Phillips in a 4 WR set cause the defense a lot of headaches and allow SMU to move the ball on the ground which is tough in that type of formation. They set the tone early as they march down the field smartly for TDs on the first two drives. Phillips had a nice day too-he throws a good ball I don't care what some of you say. He just needs to improve on his consistency. His athleticism changes the entire dynamics of the offense much as Ramon Flanigan did. Eckert also had some nice moments-doesn't have the mobility or arm strength of Phillips but he showed me he's ready to come in at this level and produce. I'd clearly go with Phillips though because his long term potential is simply enormous. Derron Brown had some nice tough runs up the middle and I thought Cedric Dorsey shows some long term potential at RB. Richuel Massey had second string duty and often didn't have a chance behind the second string Offensive line. The second string defense was porous against the run-don't know if it was Munlin or them. As I mentioned several times last year it takes about 5 minutes of watching this bunch and see giant leaps in athleticism. The first team defense was stingy with guys like Adami, Muse, Melvin Williams, Stansbury, DD Lee and Justin Rodgers making some nice plays. I was pretty impressed with the new offense gameplan-they spread it all over the field and threw it downfield-not just the Punch-and-Judy stuff we've seen from some past offenses. I'm still a little concerned that we don't have all the playmakers I'd like to see at WR but it wasn't really as weak as I feared with Lowery added to the mix. Cedric Vinson had his best day as a Pony with several nice downfield catches. However, the most surprising theme of the day was that SMU was able to impressively run the ball with Munlin and Phillips improvising in a 4 WR set. That's impressive.

by **mrydel** » Sat Apr 17, 2004 5:13 pm

Thanks for the report Stallion. This is why I have already bought my season tickets, and made my plane and hotel reservations for opening day. I do not expect a win, but I expect to witness the beginning of the rebirth of SMU football.

by **Mike Damone** » Sat Apr 17, 2004 5:18 pm

Very, very good news. I was extremely worried about the offense.

Stallion, the best thing about your negative posts is that when a positive one rolls around, it can actually be trusted.

by **Mustangs35SMU** » Sat Apr 17, 2004 5:57 pm

We're ready here in Longview! After seeing the Stars eliminated from the playoffs like they were today I just hope there isnt another winless season at SMU. This sports year for me is going straight down the hill. Go Stangs

by **KnuckleStang** » Sat Apr 17, 2004 8:41 pm

Just curious. How was attendance?

by **GoRedGoBlue** » Sat Apr 17, 2004 8:57 pm

KnuckleStang wrote:Just curious. How was attendance?

I'd say 2k maybe 3,500

Hard to say, but people were scattered consistently between the 15s on the west side.

It was much better than I thought it would be.

by **Diehard Pony** » Sat Apr 17, 2004 9:28 pm

My thoughts are pretty much lock step with Stallion's above, but the one thing that really caught my attention that he didn't mention was the O-line. This is a MUCH BIGGER and athletic line then we have seen since the DP. Defensive line looked bigger as well, but our O-line finally does not make Phillips look like he is the biggest player on offense.

Nice sized, enthusiastic crowd on hand. Just think if they had promoted it.

I may be taking too much away from a scrimmage, but what I saw I liked very much.

by **GoRedGoBlue** » Sat Apr 17, 2004 11:08 pm

by **MrMustang1965** » Sat Apr 17, 2004 11:26 pm

Stallion: Thank you for an in-depth, accurate and fair synopsis of the spring game. I was there, too. I agree with your assessment. Now, let's hope that what we witnessed today will transcend to victories for our Mustangs this fall! GO MUSTANGS!

by **giacfsp** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 1:17 am

Stallion wrote:SMU's offense scored 5 TDs and Alvin Nanbuife chipped in a tipped interception return for a TD as the Red team won 42-20. The White team was spotted 17 points. TB Foy Munlin had one of the most impressive spring games in SMU history as a repeatedly chewed up huge chunks of yardage showing quickness, elusiveness and toughness in equal portions. He also chipped in several impressive catches out of the backfield for additional chunks of yardage. The budding star in my eye is IR Devin Lowery who had at least 7 catches all downfield. Lowery gets open a generally had several yards of separation on each catches. Looks like a 4 year star to me.

Wait a minute .... the man who chastises PonyFans for being cheerleaders -- hell, for showing any optimism at all -- is ready to annoint Lowery as a four-year star after one scrimmage against our second-team defense? I agree, Lowery was very impressive, but I still think that's funny.

by **Stallion** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 3:07 am

yep I get all giddy about WRs who can run a 4.37 and earned First Team All-State in his first year as a High School WR. He will undoubtedly start because he's the only guy right now we got who can stretch the field. He steps on the field for the first time in 1 1/2 years and shines. He has STAR written all over him-sit back and enjoy and remember who told you first.

by **Mustangs35SMU** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 3:51 am

Dear lord Stallion lets hope you're right about this! Im trusting you on this one! :wink:

by **Barbara Ann** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 10:51 am

It's going to be weird actually standing and watching the game, and not playing...

by **BleedingRed+Blue** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 1:39 pm

Stallion wrote:yep I get all giddy about WRs who can run a 4.37 and earned First Team All-State in his first year as a High School WR. He will undoubtedly start because he's the only guy right now we got who can stretch the field. He steps on the field for the first time in 1 1/2 years and shines. He has STAR written all over him-sit back and enjoy and remember who told you first.

Good eye, Stallion. I agree - he looked great. I want to see him fight off some first-team DBs before I get carried away (not that I doubt him, but I've been excited about players before who didn't pan out as I'd hoped), but he sure looked good out there. Maybe it's something about the #3 jersey - Jacoby Rhinehart, Jonas Rutledge, Devin Lowery .... playmakers, one and all.

by **gostangs** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 3:36 pm

I'm a half full kind of guy also, but one other note of caution - our special teams single-handedly lost a couple of games for us last season and we did not see much of them at all (nor would you expect to). I will assume the general increase in athleticism we are seeing everywhere will carry over to the ST's, but I hope someone is working that VERY hard. Can't wait to see number 2 carve a few return coverage teams up next year.

Tech and OSU will have us outmanned for sure - but I think we may be closer to TCU then anyone would think comparing records last year. One surprise in those threee games would sure be nice.

Of course its tough to tell when we are playing ourselves - we will see soon - but I'm excited by the direction of things.

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