+ & -

[PerunaPunch]

Lots of new wrinkles in the game day presentation. Here's my take on some of the ones I noticed:

Plus
When the team ran out onto the field, the band was positioned so that the team ran out in front of the home crowd. That looked better to me.

Band looks a bit larger

Dance team and cheerleaders got new uniforms. While the cheerleader uniforms looked a bit retro, the dance team unis were a big improvement; their old unis (with the red shirts and black pants) looked like Texas Tech (yuck!).

I liked the fact that the gelding riders were at least wearing SMU gear.

If I recall correctly, it seems like the band moved over a section, so that they are more centered in the east bleachers. From an acoustics standpoint, that seems to make more sense.

Minus

Sound system. Still needs some help. Issues with sound quaity and volume.

SMU radio network production staff, who at one point during the game fed the radio broadcast -- LOUD -- over the PA system. I think that actually caused a false start that was called on SMU.

[mrydel]

SMU radio network production staff, who at one point during the game fed the radio broadcast -- LOUD -- over the PA system. I think that actually caused a false start that was called on SMU.

Thought this was a little humorous (would not have if it had caused a loss)and agree that I believe it caused the false start.

Also laughed when the first "official announcement" from our PA guy was stating the out of bounds kickoff would be placed on the 30. But other than calling a 3rd and 10 for UTEP late when it was actually 3rd and 18, he did ok.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Big minus - cheerleader uniforms that read "STANGS". We are the Mustangs.

[RGV Pony]

Big minus - cheerleader uniforms that read "STANGS". We are the Mustangs.

Yeah

[TidePony]

The Boulevard was great (a bit smaller, but as good as any school in the SEC).
The Band was great and spirited (although for BCS status, too small, needs to grow to at least 200 members)
The cheerleaders were okay (need more guys to stunt - don't care about their uniforms).
Pom Girls, beautiful, talented, and awesome.
Flag guys and Peruna were awesome - that's just cool!
Just don 't get the two horses at all - what's the point?
Announcer and sound..............awful.

Next week, we are going to see Bama dismantle NTSU (aka UNT) for parent weekend. The SMU experience is awesome, it's too bad more people to don't go. We'll be back in section 107, the next home game.

Roll Tide!
Pony Up!

[CalallenStang]

The Band was great and spirited (although for BCS status, too small, needs to grow to at least 200 members)

For this to happen, the band needs donations in order to fund a new band hall and scholarships.

Please consider giving to the Mustang Band Second Century Initiative or to the Diamond M Club.

http://www.smu.edu/secondcentury/mustangband
http://diamondmclub.org/

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

The Band was great and spirited (although for BCS status, too small, needs to grow to at least 200 members)

For this to happen, the band needs donations in order to fund a new band hall and scholarships.

Please consider giving to the Mustang Band Second Century Initiative or to the Diamond M Club.

http://www.smu.edu/secondcentury/mustangband
http://diamondmclub.org/

Still don't ever need 200 though! The right 99 are louder than all other bands at 250+.

[CalallenStang]

The Band was great and spirited (although for BCS status, too small, needs to grow to at least 200 members)

For this to happen, the band needs donations in order to fund a new band hall and scholarships.

Please consider giving to the Mustang Band Second Century Initiative or to the Diamond M Club.

http://www.smu.edu/secondcentury/mustangband
http://diamondmclub.org/

Still don't ever need 200 though! The right 99 are louder than all other bands at 250+.

While I'll take the Mustang Band at any size over ANY other band out there, they aren't even at 96 right now (due to lack of scholarship funding and other factors). That's the important thing to take from my post.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

While I'll take the Mustang Band at any size over ANY other band out there, they aren't even at 96 right now (due to lack of scholarship funding and other factors). That's the important thing to take from my post.

Exactly - and the current number is inflated somewhat by having multiple bass drums like a high school band - not to mention the piccolos.

It would be so great to get back into the upper 90s in members with just the one Master Beater like it should be.

[Arkpony]

Negative of the band's halftime performance: The two twirlers prancing around and smiling while the band played a solemn tribute to 9/11. Terribly bad taste. They should have stood at attention.