OwlSportsWatch.com - Gameweek

November 5, 2009

David Mooney
OwlSportsWatch.com Publisher

When June Jones was hired as Head Coach at SMU, defensive coaches in C-USA immediately took note.

Jones has built a reputation as an Offensive guru, namely through his development of the "Run and Shoot" Offense that closely resembles what most call "Spread" Offenses today. Actually Jones' college coach, Mouse Davis, invented the scheme and Jones ran it while he was a Quarterback himself at Portland State for Davis.

Regardless of what you call it, or where it came from, Jones' goal in every game is to score points by the bunches. He's been quite successful in doing it, particularly while the had coach at Hawaii. Jones piled up yards, and the wins while at Hawaii. But ultimately found an itch to come back to the mainland, landing in Dallas.

Though he hasn't gotten all the pieces in place to produce the same results at SMU, the Mustangs are a much better team in 2009 than they were a year ago.

And after a big upset win over Tulsa last weekend in which the Ponies produced 429 yards on Todd Graham's Tulsa Defense, it seems Jones has the Ponies one step closer.

The Owls have beaten SMU the last two years, doing so in 2009 will depend on how successfully they can defend Jones' improving Offense.

Here's more on the Ponies...

Inside the Numbers

Leading Passer Sophomore QB Bo Levi Mitchell leads the Mustangs in passing with 1725 yards in 7 games. He's completed 56% of his passes. Mitchell has been out with a shoulder injury.

Leading Rusher Miami transfer Shawnbrey McNeal leads the Ponies in rushing with 639 yards on 139 attempts.

Leading Receivers Emmanuel Sanders has 64 catches for SMU, almost doubling the next best SMU WR effort of 29 by Aldrick Robinson.

Yards Per Game SMU averages 377 yards of Offense per game.

NCAA Offensive Rank: SMU is ranked 62nd in total offense.

C-USA Offensive Rank: The Ponies are 5th out of 12 conference teams in total offense per game.

Probable Starting Line-up

POS ## OFFENSE
WR 18 Terrance Wilkerson, 5-11 178, soph.
LT 70 Kelvin Beachum, 6-3 270, soph.
LG 77 Josh LeRibeus, 6-2 330, soph.
C 51 Mitch Enright, 6-1 266, sr.
RG 64 Bryce Tennison, 6-3 285, soph.
RT 79 J.T Brooks, 6-5 311, soph.
WR 24 Aldrick Robinson, 5-10 175, jr.
WR 17 Emmanuel Sanders, 5-11 180, sr.
WR 88 Bradley Haynes, 6-3 212, soph.
QB 2 Kyle Padron, 6-4 201, fr.
RB 8 Shawnbrey McNeal, 5-10 190, jr.

Mustang Notes

~ Senior Mustang WR Emmanuel Sanders was recruited by then SMU Assistant Coach Larry Edmondson.

~ The SMU Offense has 6 sophomores starting. Most of the players played as true freshmen in 2008.

~ In the win against Tulsa, freshman QB Kyle Padron completed 20-of-30 passes for 354 yards.

~ SMU punter/kicker Matt Szymanski transferred from Texas A&M. Against Tulsa he punted 7 times for a 48.1 yard average. He also connected on field goals of 35 and 31 yards and had 2 of 6 kickoffs go as touchbacks.

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