Observations about the actual game

by **Silk** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 12:51 am

* The coaching was much better. The sideline was less cluttered because Coach Gush was upstairs observing, while Coach Bennett was calling the defenses on the field. And the defense, for the most part, was sensational. Tech was 1-for-6 (I think) on fourth down, and not too fabulous on third down (hence all the fourth downs). Yes, they passed for a ton of yards (throw it 50-plus times with 4 or 5 WRs out there and nearly any team will put up a bunch of yards.)

* The offense line played great. Did anyone even notice that Darrin Johnson was hurt and had to leave? (What was his injury, by the way?) Ben Poynter stepped in and nobody noticed - meaning he did a hell of a job. Hats off to him. #50 (Peveto) also looked really good, as did Kieschnick. If I'm not mistaken, there wasn't a single holding penalty on our offensive line, and with a group as young as this one, that's outstanding. And the OTs -- Johnson/Poynter and Urbanus -- did their job. I had a radio at the game, and didn't hear Tech DE Duckett's name called all night. And he's an absolute stud.

* Why was Avery Cleveland in street clothes?

* I've seen every home game (and a few road games) since 1989. The secondary played better than I can ever remember. I went into this season worried about the short CBs, but no more. The Air Force transfer is a stud -- he was everywhere. Knocking down passes, making strong tackles (including in the open field), getting that sack -- glad to have him. Hunphrey looked stronger and so much more sure of himself. What an amazing athlete. And #22 (they need names on their jerseys!) was terrific, too. I think it was Stallion who pointed out that he saved two TDs -- who was the last DB we had who did that in a game? Knocked down two sure TDs? That guy had a perfect game other than Hicks' TD in the fourth quarter. I also liked the new nickel and dime packages that the coaches threw out there .... Nnabuife looked very much at home when the dime package required him to squeeze up with the LBs, and Fitzgerald -- Coach Bennett wasn't kidding, what an athlete!

* Rico Harris looked like had good mobility, but he didn't seem quite comfortable yet at OLB, like he still had to think, rather than simply seeing something and reacting. He'll be OK. D.D. Lee hits really hard, but can he PLEASE wrap up on tackles???

* I want a #11 jersey. Cory Muse has played DE for what, three weeks? First play he's in the game, he busted through TWO blockers and forced the RB to run out of bounds. Later he sheds a block and yanks down super-fast Glover on an end-around -- one-handed. The kid is big and strong and fast as hell, and he's only going to get better. A LOT better.

* I really wanted to see Foy Munlin run for 300 yards and 10 TDs last night. Not just because it would have meant the Ponies would have won, but because HE wanted so badly to do well against his former team. He didn't get a lot of carries, but at the beginning of the second quarter, when he had that run from deep in our own end for 14 or 15 yards, he was looking for someone to run over. He wanted to bust someone up, rather than just running where there was room. He looked good, and when he settles in against non-Tech opponents and relaxes a little, he should have a big year.

* I liked both quarterbacks. Phillips needs to be more accurate. He has a strong arm, but he needs to throw a higher percentage. What he gives us is the extra dimension of running. Defenses can't just lock up on WRs and Munlin, because he'll take off, as he did many times last night. Eckert also looked good. He's a natural passer with a good arm, and he doesn't look like he gets fazed easily. A lot of guys would panic with a pair of snaps on their shoetops, but he scooped up both of them and got rid of the ball, throwing the ball away once and completing the other. I'd like to see Phillips start again, but we'll be fine mixing in Eckert.

* Pellerin worked really well with Eckert. Devin Lowery has great hands. Blake Warren is a tough little guy, and Ryan Kennedy ran a lot better than a guy his size should b

by **SMUFan** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 4:05 pm

You're right, I didn't notice that Poynter replaced Johnson at LT. NOT getting noticed means he did a nice job filling in, because we never thought "well, if we only had Johnson in there...." Good performance by Poynter in his debut.

Desmond Jones hasn't gotten nearly enough pub for his performance - he was everywhere. There were a few times it almost looked like he knew the snap count. He didn't get a sack, but sure disrupted things back there. Now let's have 11 more games like that from him.

Kicking game was a pleasant surprise. Not only did McMurtray go 2 for 2 on FGs, he also hit every kickoff into the end zone, or out the back of the end zone. His leg looks a LOT stronger.

Use Ryan Kennedy more! The Northwestern WRs and TEs found seams in the TCU defense, and we need to try to do the same. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to be a small DB and have to try to tackle this guy. I'd also like to see Bobby Chase as an option - there's a size advantage there waiting to be exploited.

by **justbeattcu** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 4:09 pm

Chris Urbanus (#78) was a beast at RT for SMU. What a great game he had.

by **justbeattcu** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 4:09 pm

Chris Urbanus (#78) was a beast at RT for SMU. What a great game he had.

by **SMUFan** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 4:13 pm

He and Johnson (and Poynter) did great. Did you even notice Ducket on the field? I didn't

by **gostangs** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 4:17 pm

Offensive line looks great - wish they could work Boren into the line up - I like what I have heard about his temperment. They will run block the Hell out of the WAC D lines.

Muse should start.

I would love to see Avery Cleveland play more - was he hurt?

A little more speed on LB, more down field passing to taller receivers and we win that game.

Can't wait to see us blitz a team that runs a regular offense - it will be REALLY fun to watch.

by **Stallion** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 7:33 pm

that's a good question-did we complete a downfield pass to a WR(not an Inside Receiver) all nite? I know Pellerin caught 4-two were caught behind the line of scrimmage.

by **FloridaMustang** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 8:26 pm

It's so nice to hear everyone getting excited again.. I really hope Fox Sports picks up a game this year.. I want to see what you all are. The past 2 years.. we've looked amateurish at our best. It sounds like everything is beginning to come together for Bennett and the team. How big of a coup would an upset over TCU be? I'm sick of the winless september streak !

Go Stangs!

by **Mustangs35SMU** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 8:31 pm

UNFMustang06 wrote:How big of a coup would an upset over TCU be?

I've said it since the end of the game last year....Im going to look like a physic after this Saturday

SMU WILL BEAT TCU

by **Dooby** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 10:04 pm

Improved on both ends of the ball for sure.

But we still need more pressure on the QB.

by **Vitale** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 12:54 am

The biggest difference was the speed and athleticism. We had players in position to make plays that we just didn't have the personnel to make last year. Made some, didn't make others, but we're starting to collect the athletes who can allow us a chance to make more plays. And that will pay off, all season long.

Observations about the actual game

Observations about the actual game

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