DMN Story: Bennett Denies He 'Pushed' Leach

by **MrMustang1965** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 1:22 am

UNIVERSITY PARK â€“ A fight after Saturday night's SMU-Texas Tech game appeared to start after Mustangs coach Phil Bennett pushed Red Raiders head strength coach Bennie Wylie.

A videotape of the incident from KAMC-TV in Lubbock shows Bennett running across the field after the 27-13 loss at Ford Stadium and yelling at Tech coach Mike Leach. As players surrounded them, Bennett appeared to shove Wylie, who was between him and Leach. Wylie appeared to return the shove, and players began to trade punches.

"I never pushed him," Bennett said Sunday night. "I stuck my hand out and said, 'Let me speak to Mike.'

"I consider the matter closed."

Wylie would not comment.

"The matter is over," Leach said through a spokesman. "Coach Bennett and I are friends, and I wish SMU the best of luck the rest of the year. We're done talking about it."

SMU and Texas Tech athletic officials said they plan no suspensions or disciplinary actions against players or coaches.

However, SMU athletic director Jim Copeland has reviewed footage and submitted his findings to the WAC.

Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers said he will review a tape of the fight and report to the Big 12 Conference.

On Saturday, Bennett said he was upset that, with the game out of reach, the Red Raiders ran a hurry-up offense and made passes toward the end zone late in the fourth quarter.

Bennett and Leach met briefly after the melee. Through a spokesmen, Bennett said, "We agree to disagree."

by **Silk** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 1:31 am

I was in the upper level when everything happened, so needless to say, I couldn't see much more than a scrum. But from the clip I saw on Channel 8 tonight, it sure looked like Coach Bennett was screaming at Leach and someone's hand came out and pushed Coach Bennett, after which all hell broke loose.

We're behind you, Coach Bennett - you were absolutely right to tell Leach how wrong he was. I sure wouldn't want my kid to learn anything from him.

by **feelan** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 1:43 am

Would have been nice for Calvin to include a little more detail about the fact that he was running the hurry up with 6 seconds left from inside our 5 to try and score instead of letting time expire.

by **MrMustang1965** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 1:46 am

feelan wrote:Would have been nice for Calvin to include a little more detail about the fact that he was running the hurry up with 6 seconds left from inside our 5 to try and score instead of letting time expire.

Yeah, but why let the facts get in the way of the story?

by **Corso** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 1:49 am

Doesn't Calvin also write boxing for the Morning News?
:lol:

by **KnuckleStang** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 10:02 am

Am I the only idiot having trouble getting that WFAA video to play?

by **PlanoStang** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 11:45 am

Nope. I think you may need to have version 9 of Windows Media Player, and my Windows 98 only allows up to version 7.1.

by **giacfsp** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 2:38 pm

I can't get it to run, either.
Argh.

DMN Story: Bennett Denies He 'Pushed' Leach

DMN Story: Bennett Denies He 'Pushed' Leach

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