The Real # 77 - Hopkins gets 4-INTs against Houston

[PK]

http://www.smumustangs.com/football/90/index_77.asp

[Dooby]

What a sham, err scam, errr....whatever. Yet another individual mark from the post-Doak era. Remember, if you didn't see Doak run over Fordham, you aren't allowed to have an opinion.

[DiamondM75]

But I sure love the uniform Hop is wearing in the picture. Blue jersey, white helment with red pony and red and blue racing stripes. Best uniform ever.

[jtstang]

SMU defeated Houston 38-22 en route to a 10-1 record and the SWC crown.

I think this was the year of the infamous "Polyester Bowl" when we were ineligible to go to the Cotton Bowl due to being on probation for paying players. This prior probation weighed heavily in the NCAA's death penalty determination several years later.

[Roach]

It always killed me to see a Mustang as great as Hopkins playing for the bEagles.

[Caballo]

This is not the last time you will see Hopkins' name on this list. He initiated the "Throw back" pass that Bobby Leach took to the house on the late game kickoff against Tech in 1982.

Great player. Great season. Great uniform.

[PlanoStang]

But I sure love the uniform Hop is wearing in the picture. Blue jersey, white helment with red pony and red and blue racing stripes. Best uniform ever.

Yup. Well, almost.

[ALEX LIFESON]

i thought that was #23 blane smith?

[jtstang]

It was Smith, not Hopkins.

[BUS]

Wes H. was/is ( I guess ) a real nice guy. He had a friendly way about him except when he got on the football field.
I had a couple classes with him and I heard that when he wanted to try out the coach asked him what his 40 time was. He had not ever ran one for time or something.

I believe he ran something less that 4.5 and the rest is history.

[Mexmustang]

Great uniform--white helmet, red mustang and stripe!

[Mexmustang]

Great uniform--white helmet, red mustang and stripe!

[bubba pony]

I recall reading some time ago that Hopkins hit Eric Dickersen hard in a practice and that got the coaches attention. he was very good as a pro with the Eagles. I lived in Philly at the time and loved seeing the program with an SMU graduate on the list.

[PlanoStang]

But I sure love the uniform Hop is wearing in the picture. Blue jersey, white helment with red pony and red and blue racing stripes. Best uniform ever.

Yup. Well, almost.

Hmmm. I wonder if this is the first time somebody on here has quoted
themself......probably NOT.

I think I remember a MOST IMPORTANT interception in the end-zone to
stop a Pitt drive. This was in the second half in the Cotton Bowl game
after the 82 season. Since this picture was obviously taken in that game
with the cotton on the shoulder pad, I guess this may be a picture just
after that interception, and should be in the top 10

[Stallion]

That picture was taken at the Cotton Bowl Game. This from the book "The Pony Express" which chronicalled the 1982 season:

The Mustang defense was opportunistic picking off an interception and recovering a fumble. But the timing on both turned the game around for the Mustangs. The fumble recovery came on the first offensive drive of the day. Wes Hopkins scooped up a fumble by tailback Joe McCall at the SMU one after Pitt had driven 71 yards in nine plays

Hopkins was also involved in the interception. With 8:15 left in the game and Pitt driving to the SMU seven , Hopkins stepped in front of a Dan Marino pass in the end zone . The ball bounced off his chest, but into the waiting and alert arms of free safety Blane Smith. It stopped the final Pitt thrust and helped the Mustangs win its first bowl game since 1968.