What Steve Orsini didn't say in today's DMN

George S. Patton · Post by **George S. Patton** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:11 am

Today's DMN addresses Bennett's status

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... d351f.html

"My position has not changed," SMU athletic director Steve Orsini said Monday through a school spokesman. "Our goal of reaching a bowl this season is still attainable and as long as that's the case, I'm not going to engage in public speculation. We remain committed to becoming a Top 25 program and fully support our student-athletes as they work toward those goals."

But he didn't say that he supported his coach. This is pretty much a validation that this is so over.

Insane_Pony_Posse · Post by **Insane_Pony_Posse** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:17 am

"as long as that's the case, I'm not going to engage in public speculation"

so does this mean as soon as it is mathematically
impossible coach phil is toast?

LakeHighlandsPony · Post by **LakeHighlandsPony** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:24 am

Amyone who went to the UNT game does realize we could be 0-6. We did not pull away until the last minutes.

perunapower · Post by **perunapower** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:47 am

LakeHighlandsPony wrote:Amyone who went to the UNT game does realize we could be 0-6. We did not pull away until the last minutes.

Anyone who watched the TCU, UTEP, and USM games realizes we could be 4-2. No blocked punt at TCU and the team isn't demoralized. No last second touchdown against UTEP, we win. No interception in the endzone or fumble on the 2, we're back in the game against USM. But all that's pointless because we're 1-5. So looking back and seeing that we didn't pull away from UNT until the last few drives is also pointless.

Caballo · Post by **Caballo** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:56 am

perunapower wrote:
LakeHighlandsPony wrote:Amyone who went to the UNT game does realize we could be 0-6. We did not pull away until the last minutes.

Anyone who watched the TCU, UTEP, and USM games realizes we could be 4-2. No blocked punt at TCU and the team isn't demoralized. No last second touchdown against UTEP, we win. No interception in the endzone or fumble on the 2, we're back in the game against USM. But all that's pointless because we're 1-5. So looking back and seeing that we didn't pull away from UNT until the last few drives is also pointless.

Having attended/watched all our games this year, we are much closer to 0-6 than 4-2. Light years closer.

jtstang · Post by **jtstang** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:58 am

Insane_Pony_Posse wrote:"as long as that's the case, I'm not going to engage in public speculation"

so does this mean as soon as it is mathematically
impossible coach phil is toast?

No, just that he'll be a newbie on ponyfans engaging in public speculation.

2112 · Post by **2112** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:59 am

this is a terrible football team, just plain and honest.

QuikSStang · Post by **QuikSStang** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:03 am

perunapower wrote:
LakeHighlandsPony wrote:Amyone who went to the UNT game does realize we could be 0-6. We did not pull away until the last minutes.

Anyone who watched the TCU, UTEP, and USM games realizes we could be 4-2. No blocked punt at TCU and the team isn't demoralized. No last second touchdown against UTEP, we win. No interception in the endzone or fumble on the 2, we're back in the game against USM. But all that's pointless because we're 1-5. So looking back and seeing that we didn't pull away from UNT until the last few drives is also pointless.

i dont know what games you were watching, but i didnt see anything close to victories in TCU and USM, in which we were held to 7 points. you cant win while scoring in the single digits

perunapower · Post by **perunapower** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:05 am

Caballo wrote:
perunapower wrote:
LakeHighlandsPony wrote:Amyone who went to the UNT game does realize we could be 0-6. We did not pull away until the last minutes.

Anyone who watched the TCU, UTEP, and USM games realizes we could be 4-2. No blocked punt at TCU and the team isn't demoralized. No last second touchdown against UTEP, we win. No interception in the endzone or fumble on the 2, we're back in the game against USM. But all that's pointless because we're 1-5. So looking back and seeing that we didn't pull away from UNT until the last few drives is also pointless.

Having attended/watched all our games this year, we are much closer to 0-6 than 4-2. Light years closer.

Perhaps you think you deserve a gold star for such an astute comment?

ponyboy · Post by **ponyboy** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:05 am

I like Orsini. I like his professionalism, his respect for the coach (see George Steinbrenner for the contrary way of treating your coach), and his unwavering goal to get us to Top 25.

PonySnob · Post by **PonySnob** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:05 am

LakeHighlandsPony wrote:Amyone who went to the UNT game does realize we could be 0-6. We did not pull away until the last minutes.

Are you going to the game this Saturday?

OC Mustang · Post by **OC Mustang** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:32 am

I think Bennett and Orsini responded the only way they can.
Guys, right/wrong/indifferent, regardless of one's thoughts about whether Bennett should retain his job or not, both of these guys realize that they have assistant coaches and players that require guidance the rest of the season. They both answered within the context of their respective jobs and are clearly cognizant that they have another 6 games to play win or lose.

Let them do their jobs.

EastStang · Post by **EastStang** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:36 am

Actually I saw a team that did virtually every thing it was supposed to do against TCU and lost due to some bad breaks. TCU played just well enough to win. Against USM and UTEP, I saw a team that gave the games away, and let themselves get beat. Yes, all three of those games were winnable games and were must win games. We ought to be 4-2. But we're not, because we let the other team beat us. We have some tough sledding ahead of us. UH can light it up. Rice showed some offensive prowess. Tulsa is no slouch. UCF can beat you. Bennett's magic number is 2 losses. If this team does not get hot, they can only blame themselves for his departure. If they love their coach, it is in their hands to save his job. They have to do everything they can to win these next six games. Let's start with Tulane.

Caballo · Post by **Caballo** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:50 am

perunapower wrote:
Caballo wrote:
perunapower wrote:
LakeHighlandsPony wrote:Amyone who went to the UNT game does realize we could be 0-6. We did not pull away until the last minutes.

Anyone who watched the TCU, UTEP, and USM games realizes we could be 4-2. No blocked punt at TCU and the team isn't demoralized. No last second touchdown against UTEP, we win. No interception in the endzone or fumble on the 2, we're back in the game against USM. But all that's pointless because we're 1-5. So looking back and seeing that we didn't pull away from UNT until the last few drives is also pointless.

Having attended/watched all our games this year, we are much closer to 0-6 than 4-2. Light years closer.

Perhaps you think you deserve a gold star for such an astute comment?

No gold star wanted or needed, and definitely not deserved. It was just an accurate observation to anyone that has seen our games this year. I would take a winning record and a bowl game as a reward though. Or better yet, just being competitive against less than stellar opposition. I believe we had all those things within our grasp the last two years, but this year's team and production have digressed. And now we are going to have to start over again next year with a new system when that should have been done this year.

chillinfool · Post by **chillinfool** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 10:19 am

UTEP game was won right after halftime when they did the onside kick and then went down and scored. UTEP was down 2 TD's and kicking off from the 45 because of Bennett's penalty. Any high school coach will look for the onside kick in those circumstance but SMU was totally unprepared for it and were dropping back to block which can all be attributed to the coaches not having a clue.
Then we put in a freshmen to block on the punt at TCU. Bennett admitted that was his mistake, but ya would think a special teams coach would have caught that but unfortunately SMU doesn't have a dedicated special teams coach to blame!