Observations of an Attendee

[Diehard Pony]

There are so many things to say but let's just start with the most important. This team was as poorly prepared to play this game as the team was that opened against Navy. TCU was ready for every play we tried to execute, and we appeared to be clueless all night as to what TCU was running. It was truly one of the most embarrasing games to attend as an SMU fan that I have been to in more time than I can remember.

The offensive play calling was almost as unimaginative as we were last year with KK left and right.

Chris Phillips looks lost running this offense. I have been a big fan of Phillips since he started at Tulsa last year (I was there), but so far this doesn't look like an offense that fits his talents.

Eckert, for all his mistakes tonight, still looks like he is the better choice at QB for this offense. I hate wasting the athletic talent that Phillips has, but he looks extremely tentative in this offense, and TCU was more than prepared for his running. Eckert, thus far, is far more accurate with his passes and appears to possess a much stronger arm.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was the fact that the team did not even appear emotionally ready (i.e., pumped) which I thought would be the easiest part of preparing for this game.

I'll close by reiterating that there were many factors contributing to this debacle tonight (including the loss of several key defensive players), but the biggest factor, in my opinion, was a very poor job by the SMU coaching staff, and an excellent job on the other side. The other two diehard fans that attended with me tonight agreed that we are envious of what TCU has put together, and they started from rock bottom. We could say we are starting from the same point, but progress seems to consistently allude us.

Sorry, but I had to get this off my chest.

[Mexmustang]

Bennett doesn't even act like a head coach. He needs to get a defensive coordinator and begin managing the game instead of instructing individual players during the game. He and his brother can't keep their mouths shut. The kids look like deer in headlights, with so many different coaches all talking to them at the same time. I have never seen a sideline so confused--time management "F"; game adjustments. "F"; timeouts "F", play selection "F", noone is in charge and Bennett simply can't delegate.

Even a friend from Mexico, watching his first American football game remarked that too many people were all talking to the players all at once...it looked like a panic attack, even before TCU scored the first time.
Smith, er Cavan, er Bennett looked like an amateur on the field. The kids seemed more concerned with the various instructions they were being given than playing the game.

[PonySnob]

There are so many things to say but let's just start with the most important. This team was as poorly prepared to play this game as the team was that opened against Navy. TCU was ready for every play we tried to execute, and we appeared to be clueless all night as to what TCU was running. It was truly one of the most embarrasing games to attend as an SMU fan that I have been to in more time than I can remember.

The offensive play calling was almost as unimaginative as we were last year with KK left and right.

Chris Phillips looks lost running this offense. I have been a big fan of Phillips since he started at Tulsa last year (I was there), but so far this doesn't look like an offense that fits his talents.

Eckert, for all his mistakes tonight, still looks like he is the better choice at QB for this offense. I hate wasting the athletic talent that Phillips has, but he looks extremely tentative in this offense, and TCU was more than prepared for his running. Eckert, thus far, is far more accurate with his passes and appears to possess a much stronger arm.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was the fact that the team did not even appear emotionally ready (i.e., pumped) which I thought would be the easiest part of preparing for this game.

I'll close by reiterating that there were many factors contributing to this debacle tonight (including the loss of several key defensive players), but the biggest factor, in my opinion, was a very poor job by the SMU coaching staff, and an excellent job on the other side. The other two diehard fans that attended with me tonight agreed that we are envious of what TCU has put together, and they started from rock bottom. We could say we are starting from the same point, but progress seems to consistently allude us.

Sorry, but I had to get this off my chest.

Very good post! There are clearly some huge problems with this program. Everybody thought that SMU had hit rock bottom last year, but tonight was definately the worst game of the Phil Bennett era. This might have been the worst defensive era post DP (not counting the 89 Houston game).

[Nacho]

I am emotianally numb. I hardly care any more. Just another loss. What is it, 14 now? OSU should be fun. Anyone going? The team? Anyone?

Here is the one lone positive in the game: Eckert is the obvious choice for QB. Except for the TWO ints he played great. Let's see. 13 divided by 2 is 6.5. We are now averaging 6.5 ppg, down from 11 last year. End of game sumary. If we aren't # 1 in the bottom 10 after tonight they should do away with it.
That's all I got. Anyone take the 2 game over/under? The under looks pretty good to me.

We should seriously reconsider playing d-1 football. We aren't making the effort. Tell me again why we do it. I've forgotten.

[RGV Pony]

I agree with you 100%, Diehard. I traveled a long way to watch this debacle, and rearranged an already hectic schedule. For what?

Chris Phillips, along with most of our offensive "weapons," looks like he's running in glue. His asset was to be scrambling ability...I'll have to pass on those 'scrambles' for -15 yards. When Eckert first came in, he did look like he was better mentally. Regarding the offensive play calling, anybody think we have enough plays in the playbook designed to net us two rushing yards?

Our defense does not look division 1. A friend of mine who I recruited to come to his first SMU game, and who I've been working on to add to the Mustang Club, commented "...a reactionary defense on those options..." Wasn't the reason we were all excited about Bennett was that he brought an "attacking" defense along with him?

Ultimately, I feel the most dejected for the fans. We, the SMU faithful, put on what had all the elements to a great college football atmosphere. A large throng, clad in red, a great band, hell the cheerleaders even acted like they gave a sh*t. I can't get over what swagger the band had at the game...they were getting high-fived along the end zone and sideline as they walked onto the field!! Sad thing is, there were several young fans around me who I don't know how much of this won't make an overyly negative impact.

I too have liked Bennett from the beginning. Unfortunately, unless there's a drastic turnaround, I think it is more likely than not that we will see the end of his regime on the Hilltop, and that things will likely get worse before they get better. I hope like crazy I'm wrong. Twenty-five years as a Mustang fan hopes I'm wrong, but if I'm not, let's take up a collection...and bring in friggin Steve Spurrier! (okay, so that's the only tongue-in-cheek part of this post).

[MrMustang1965]

Well...let's see. New Mexico defeats TT, 27-24. We lose to TCU, 44-0. I'm trying to find the silver lining but, at this point, I can't. As a loyal SMU fan since birth, I'm so numb that I can't even describe my feelings. Truly. And next week, SMU travels to Stillwater to play Oklahoma State. For those of you traveling to Stillwater, be safe.

I spent $105 to take my family of five to the game tonite. I could have found LOTS of better things to do with that $$$ than go see this debacle. SMU wasn't even in this game at any point, from what I saw.

At least more of the SMU student body showed up than I expected. Props to them for making the drive over to Cowtown.

On a serious note, while Phil Bennett's agenda was to bring this program around, I just haven't seen it happen and I don't think it's going to...at least not on the level of performance I saw tonite. Last week there was fire under the Mustangs' butts. Tonite, not even a flicker. What happened in the last week?

What would the rest of you say about starting a campaign/recruitment process to get Ramon Flanigan to SMU as head coach? Or should we just throw in the towel in Div. 1-A now and drop down to Div. 1-AA next year and say the heck with C-USA?

And on another note: Joe T. Garcia's is HIGHLY overrated! Weak margaritas (I drank one to drown my sorrows...it was like water!) and food that could have come from Pancho's Buffet. Thumbs down!

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

I too was very disappointed. It was like all the energy that was picked up after that game last week just disappeared. The team look completely listless.

I too agree that it looks like Eckert might be the better option here at QB. Of course, I know someone might try to hold me to something that was said but I put in the caveat that if Phillips couldn't hack it this game and we got a better look at Eckert then I'm all for a change and I think Eckert might, in all honesty, be the better choice because,save for that one deep pass, the only thing Chris seems to be comfortable doing is quick kicks in this offense. It just seems as thought he's not into the offense and I was hoping that last week was an aberation but it appears that isn't the case.

As much as I laud Coach Bennett for what he did last week, everything he seemed to gain from that game has dissipated. I will still follow the Ponies and show up to every game that I can but I just can't help but feel we're digging ourselves a deeper hole. I must continue to be optimistic but even the losing,especially to f'n TCU, tends to beat me down.

[Mustangs35SMU]

Ok Ive finally sold on myself..Im never getting this hyped up for an SMU game again..

That was disappointing to the extreme. No more away games for me

Anyone going? The team?.

Dear god I hope you're joking if you actually think a team is going to show up for OSU..Im just hoping we dont get made a [deleted] made out of ourselves like we did tonight.

[giacfsp]

OK, I generally try to be supportive, not harsh. But tonight was tough. Finding a silver lining tonight is .... tough (OK, my brain's still a little numb, too.)

I love Chris Phillips. I want him to become a star. With that said, it's time for him to step back and learn the offense. He brings skills (running) that neither Eckert nor Romo (why didn't he get a shot?) offer, but I agree with the earlier posts that it looks like a case of information overload. There was no offensive rhythm. Cortley Blackmon -- who I think could be veery good -- started and had zero balls thrown his way. Reynaldo Pellerin had zero balls thrown his way. That Foster kid, who was a pleasant surprise last week - did he even get on the field?

The running game stayed in Dallas. Foy Munlin led the team with 10 yards. What bothered me more than that -- you can't run a lot when you're behind that much -- was the way he ran. The dude is built like a dumpster, yet he was dancing and juking, trying to make people miss. When you evoke images (from teammates) of Jerome Bettis, you need to run like Bettis: shoulder down and plow through people.

I don't thing the play calling was as bad as some suggest. The 30-yarder to Bobby Chase was gorgeous. The pass to Lowery at the 1-yard line was a sensational throw (Lowery HAS to make that catch.) Both passes to Kennedy were very good -- he should be much higher on the list of offensive options. Who knew he could run like that? I sure didn't.

The scheme issue I had with the game was that we did the opposite of what TCU did. The Frogs threw the ball around the field to space out our defense, and then ran it all over us. We tried to force the run, and when that didn't work, we were cooked. If we're going to play 4 WRs, we need to use them to spread the ball.

I wonder how the game might have changed (other than the score) if those idiot refs hadn't called Blake Warren for a fair catch. His hand signal looked like someone was safe at third base, and they said that was his call for a fair catch. Newsflash: the international sign for a fair catch is waving a hand over your head. Besides, if they thought he really had called for a fair catch, he would have been penalized for running after a fair catch. No flag. As bad as we started, that should have been a TD and Lowery should have caught the pass at the 1, meaning the score should have been 14-14 at the time. Would that have changed the outcome? Of course not. But it sure would have changed the complexion of the game.

Adami got ejected for some kind of flagrant penalty (punch?) .... on an EXTRA POINT? Love the warrior attitude, but that's inexcusable.

I don't think Bennett was as lost as some suggest. He started the game without OLB Rico Harris. Then D.D. Lee got hurt early, so Landon Dyer and Avery Cleveland were playing their first college games. Wilton McCray got dinged up pretty bad - he was limping bad on the sideline. Alvin Nnabuife got hurt. With all those young/new guys in there, the nickel and dime packages that worked so well last week were tossed out the window.

I'm very worried about Darrin Johnson. He looked like he'd been shot when he was down on the field. Ben Poynter did a great job last week, but we're frighteningly thin on the OL. Can Enright, Allison and Hickman suit up next Saturday? We need to sign a minimum of 5 or 6.

For the second straight week, there was some luck involved. When Ro Humphrey hit Hassell, he knocked the ball free. He also wrapped up (we need to see more of that) Hassell and pinned Hassell's arm to his side. The ball bounced up into Hassell's hand, and he caught it. It looked like he was dribbling a basketball and palmed the thing. Let him do that 1,000 times and it fails 999.

TCU scored within the context of their offense, which happens to be really good. I can't believe I'm writing this, but I hope the hated Frogs beat the hell out of Tech.

The season starts in two weeks. Let's get through OSU without getting hurt, and get ready to beat San Jose State.

[Mustangs35SMU]

The season starts in two weeks. Let's get through OSU without getting hurt, and get ready to beat San Jose State.

We need to win one of those games that NOBODY thinks we are going to win..Tonight was the night I was expecting that to happen..

Can we beat OSU? hell yea we got a chance
Will we beat OSU? you're smokin something big if you think that..

We gotta win one of these games nobody thinks we're going to..and dear lord win the games we're supposed to! Hint Hint..SAN JOSE STATE

[Hoofbeat83]

you are much more optimistic about SJS than i. the way we played tonight i think we'd have our hands full with Sul Ross State.

[giacfsp]

Well yeah, I also would like to see us beat one of the big teams. But let's start by winning the others. Walk before we run, and all that. Frankly, I don't care who we beat. I need a win.

[rich_alum]

This is such bullsh*t........get over it. There was no way we win this game, so what is the big shock? I swear the OC calls different plays for Phillips then he does for Eckert.

Until we get some sort of offense......we will be pretty crappy and we all should have recognized this.

Lowery had a huge drop that was a sure 6 from Phillips that could have changed the game.

The play calling has been miserable.....I can't figure out what our strategy is? Our rb's don't even have a chance to get into the a grove.

[PK]

I was home tonight nursing the flu or a good imitation there of...this game didn't make me feel any better. We all got our expectations waaaay up there because of our game against TCU last year and a semi-decent game against Tech. It was obvious that TCU was ready for us and we were not ready for them, but there were some things that didn't help us any either. Rico Harris was injured and did not play. We lost D.D. Lee and Alvin Nnabuife and then Alan Adami got himself ejected from the game. The back ups for these guys are Freshman and Sophmores. Our starting OL was made up of 1 JR and 4 SO's. I obviously have not been paying attention, because when I heard that I thought...Oh sh*t. Their back ups are SO's, FR-RS and FR-HS. We have 15 OL's on the roster; 1-JR, 6-SO's and the rest are Freshmen. No team is going very far offensively with an OL roster like that.

SMU has only 11 SR's. Six are 3 year lettermen, 2 are 2 year lettermen, 1 is a 1 year letterman, 1 has never lettered and 1 is a transfer. Two are RB's, 3 are WR's, 2 are TE's, 2 are DL's, 1 is an LB and 1 is a deep snapper.

SMU has 14 JR's. Two have never lettered, 2 have lettered 1 year, 8 have lettered 2 years, 2 are JC's and 2 are transfers.

We have 29 SO's and all the rest are FR-RS(17) and FR-HS(41).

We should not be so surprised by our record to this point. Next week is going to be another killer. When Bennet first got here we all said it would probably be 2005 at the earliest that we would have a break out year...why have we let our emotions get so far ahead of that assessment?

I'm down after tonights game, but not out.

[SmooPower]

I managed to go to the game. I'd rather not mention anything else right now.