4 kicking game gaffes, 5 turnovers = SMU win. What?

[mustangxc]

Only disappointment for me was the Navy game. While I wish we had been more competitive in our losses and more convincing in our wins, the only game that I can look back and say we should have beaten that team is Navy. Next year we will face TCU, UH, USM, and TU at home so that should help us win some of those games.

[03Mustang]

Only disappointment for me was the Navy game. While I wish we had been more competitive in our losses and more convincing in our wins, the only game that I can look back and say we should have beaten that team is Navy. Next year we will face TCU, UH, USM, and TU at home so that should help us win some of those games.

Or we could have a completely difference schedule. Either way, I want to crush UH.

[SMUGrad_1997]

It kind of felt like I was watching old Phil Bennett football. I agree that the defense looked better and special teams and McDermott were pathetic at best. I just wonder why Padron was benched (for the most part) after the A&M game for throwing interceptions and JJ was not - what was the thinking there I wonder...

[Peruna94&07]

It kind of felt like I was watching old Phil Bennett football. I agree that the defense looked better and special teams and McDermott were pathetic at best. I just wonder why Padron was benched (for the most part) after the A&M game for throwing interceptions and JJ was not - what was the thinking there I wonder...

This late in the season I believe it was a lack of options. Once Padron got hurt it left Kaiser and Preston. You don't burn Preston's red-shirt and I imagine that Kaiser just still doesn't have the arm strength or grasp of the offense. Combine that with the fact we dont have Line to help open the game up.

[PonyTime]

It kind of felt like I was watching old Phil Bennett football. I agree that the defense looked better and special teams and McDermott were pathetic at best. I just wonder why Padron was benched (for the most part) after the A&M game for throwing interceptions and JJ was not - what was the thinking there I wonder...

You just said it - June Jones Defense is better than Phil Bennett's defense. Who would have thought? This is the best defense on the hilltop since '85. We are all so focused on the O, because there are expectations there due to Jones' history - but enjoy the show that we have seen on D for the last couple of years. I hope it only gets better.

Keep in mind - it is the Defense that took TCU to their success.

[BRStang]

Sorry, but we are not a "good" team right now. But, I do think we are one serviceable QB, one good receiver and a couple decent OLM away from being a good football team.

McDermott is just plain terrible and hard to watch. He stumbles and bumbles around like a big bag of blah. Whoever compared him to Eeyore is spot on. Eye rolls, head down, no confidence. Cannot wait for him to be done. I hate bagging on a player, but enough is enough.

Glad we are going to a bowl, but this team post 5-1 is just miserable to watch. I feel like we squandered a big opportunity this year. I'm not in Dallas and I don't see the team except for when they play games, but it's like they went from "high intensity" and "give a damn" to "blah" and "meh" overnight. I don't know, maybe they just don't have the talent, but it sure seemed we had something at 5-1. Hopefully we use the time between now and the bowl game to rest the weary players and give some of the others some meaningful practice before next season.

[sbsmith]

Kicking game gaffes:

1. Miss an extra point
2. Bad snap on a chip shot field goal that we miss
3. Punt hits a player in the leg/foot
4. Can hang onto the onside kick (I realize Reed got blasted)

5 turnovers including:
1. Fumble return for a TD
2. Pick deep in our territory sets up another td

I don't know what this shows. Either the SMU talent was good enough to overcome it (I guess that's it) or Rice was just awful enough not to take advantage.

Either way, you can tell the defense has played very well the last couple of games.

Glad SMU won but this is a product of bad physical and mentral preparation and discipline from the coaching staff and the players taking it upon themselves to do this. If your program is going to take the next step, you can't keep beating yourself.

Rice is worse than I thought, we did our best to give them the game and they didn't want it. Really embarrassed by our effort on special teams.

[sail420s]

Sorry, but we are not a "good" team right now.

I think we are a very good team with a very bad QB. Our receivers are getting open, and the only reason JJ has any passing yards with his 4 yard passes is their ability to run after catch. Our defense is put back on the field too much causing them to wear down and give up points late. A decent QB beats USM and Navy. We would have also had a shot at beating UH.

Anyone notice that Padron gets hurt a few days before the USM game and from that moment on, average JJ became terrible. As soon as he didn't have someone on his heels, he started phoning it in. He messed up just handing the ball to the RB. The first run after the fumble, he almost fumbled again. Williams had to grab the ball off of his hip.

I cheered when they announced JJ as a senior.

[Gotcha]

Wonder what Frank the Great has to say about the kicking game issues?