SMU's Mentzel to play in Hula Bowl

Post by **Webmaster** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 11:50 am

Mentzel to play in Hula Bowl
Punter first Mustang in game since 1996

HONOLULU (SMU) - SMU punter Ryan Mentzel has accepted an invitation to play in the 2006 Hula Bowl Sat., Jan. 21, in Aloha Stadium.

Mentzel, a native of Midlothian and a four-year starter for the Mustangs, finished his career as SMU's all-time leader in punt attempts and ranked in the top three in punting yardage.

Mentzel is the first SMU player to compete in the Hula Bowl since Brannon Kidd made the squad in 1996. Other notable Mustangs to play in the Hula Bowl include Doak Walker, Kyle Rote, Forrest Gregg, Don Meredith and Eric Dickerson.

Coaches for the game will be Tommy Tuberville of Auburn and Tyrone Willingham of Washington. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CST and will be nationally-televised by ESPN.

Corso · Post by **Corso** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:03 pm

Congratulations, Ryan!

LonghornFan68 · Post by **LonghornFan68** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:21 pm

Cool, should be some good exposure for him. Kick the living poo out of the ball, Ryan. Heh.

mrydel · Post by **mrydel** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:26 pm

Sad thing is every time they mention him it will bring up the "set a record for most punts" statement. Wish him well though.

jtstang · Post by **jtstang** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:38 pm

mrydel wrote:Sad thing is every time they mention him it will bring up the "set a record for most punts" statement. Wish him well though.

Yeah, it's funny we can't land a Rivals 5-star punter every year. We could become Punter U....

LonghornFan68 · Post by **LonghornFan68** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:41 pm

jtstang wrote:
mrydel wrote:Sad thing is every time they mention him it will bring up the "set a record for most punts" statement. Wish him well though.

Yeah, it's funny we can't land a Rivals 5-star punter every year. We could become Punter U....

Is there such thing as a 5-star punter? I'd love to see that. The team would just punt on first down with that talent.

mrydel · Post by **mrydel** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:41 pm

jtstang wrote:
mrydel wrote:Sad thing is every time they mention him it will bring up the "set a record for most punts" statement. Wish him well though.

Yeah, it's funny we can't land a Rivals 5-star punter every year. We could become Punter U....

Thanks, but I would rather not be known as PU.

jtstang · Post by **jtstang** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:45 pm

Sorry, but I have to resist the urge to say our program stinks, again. I don't want to risk running off our recruits/raising PK's ire.

EastStang · Post by **EastStang** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:46 pm

Did he also set a record in punts blocked? I vaguely recall quite a few blocked punts over the last four years.

Stampede · Post by **Stampede** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:51 pm

What a classy young man!! Ryan has grown up to be a mature, "ready for the world" person suring his stay at SMU. Coach Bennett has been a big reason for this maturity.

PonyTales · Post by **PonyTales** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:25 pm

Congratulations, Ryan.
Enjoy the game and the trip.

PK · Post by PK » Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:39 pm

jtstang wrote:Sorry, but I have to resist the urge to say our program stinks, again. I don't want to risk running off our recruits/raising PK's ire.

You just did...clever little (deleted)... :lol:

MrMustang1965 · Post by **MrMustang1965** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 10:31 pm

Congratulations, Ryan! Hopefully your exposure in the Hula Bowl will pave a path to the pro ranks! It would be fun to see you in a Cowboys (or Texans) uniform someday.

Hilltopper · Post by **Hilltopper** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 12:14 am

By all means let him end up in Houston. I wouldn't wish Jerry Jones on anyone as an employer (further underscoring just how tough the great Keylon Kincade is).
Congratulations, Ryan!

MrMustang1965 · Post by **MrMustang1965** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 12:23 am

Hilltopper wrote:By all means let him end up in Houston. I wouldn't wish Jerry Jones on anyone as an employer (further underscoring just how tough the great Keylon Kincade is).
Congratulations, Ryan!

Imagine: Ryan on the same team with either Reggie Bush or Vince Young :!: