![]() ![]() Other names such as Camar Wheaton and Velton Gardner have earned some run this year, but SMU has operated best with Knighton as the lead back. Jordan Kerley is the leading receiver with an average of 18.6 yards per catch, but Jake Bailey and tight end RJ Maryland are among other sturdy threats in the pass-centric offense.Īs far as the run game, Miami (FL) transfer Jaylan Knighton and Texas A&M transfer LJ Johnson Jr. 1 option could go a long way for the Mustangs as well, as seven different receivers tote between 144 and 223 receiving yards. He currently exhibits a 57.1 completion rate with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 14-to-5, and sharpening those statistics can help create a few more scoring opportunities.Įstablishing a true No. But increasing efficiency is what elevates Stone to the next level. He delivered three touchdowns and remained turnover free against East Carolina for his third 3+ touchdown outing of the year. Quarterback Preston Stone is a first-time captain of this ship. Flashes of explosiveness from the offense have been on display, but they’re often mixed with flashes of inefficiency. Otherwise, SMU remains in search of its first 40-point game of the season. That being said, offense is the area SMU must improve most in order to qualify for its first AAC title game.Ī 69-0 thrashing of an FCS opponent skewed some of the offensive numbers. ![]() SMU led 14-10 heading into the fourth quarter and didn’t extend its advantage to multiple scores until the midway point in the period. That 31-10 victory wasn’t as dominant as head coach Rhett Lashlee and the Mustangs hoped. Three interceptions and one fumble recovery is all they have on the season, and that number should be significantly higher after dropping three interceptions in a 31-10 win over East Carolina last Thursday. The Mustangs simply aren’t generating enough takeaways. ![]() But there are still improvements to be had in SMU’s talented defense. That shows in the stat sheet as SMU stops 67 percent of third down attempts to rank third in the AAC. The Mustangs register over 2.8 sacks per game to fall in the top quartile of the FBS, and they also throttle opponents on the ground, limiting them to 3.3 yards per rush.įive different SMU defenders showcase at least 3.0 tackles for loss on the season, and this helps the Mustangs succeed on the early downs to create frequent third-and-long situations. With dynamic backfield invaders like defensive ends Nelson Paul and Elijah Morris and Oklahoma transfer defensive tackle Kori Roberson, SMU is giving opposing lines headaches on a weekly basis. The foundation of this drastic defensive improvement is one of the better defensive lines in America. SMU ranks 17th in scoring defense - its first ranking better than 75th since 2012 - by suffocating opponents to 17 points per game. While the 2023 Mustangs are winning like their predecessors, they’re certainly taking a different approach this year and dominating defensively instead. Most of the country is familiar with SMU, the dynamic, explosive offense which has ranked in the top 15 of the FBS in scoring for four consecutive seasons. Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images He also acts as a receiver more than any other back on the roster with seven catches on the year. SMU Mustangs outlook SMU RB Jaylan Knighton ranks first on the team in rushing with 358 yards on a 5.8 average. On the other end of the spectrum, Temple (2-5, 0-3) hopes to salvage its nightmare start to the season, claim an AAC win, and keep bowl eligibility a realistic goal. SMU (4-2, 2-0 AAC) remains spotless in conference play and eyes its first AAC title on its way out. With SMU set to depart the American Athletic Conference following the conclusion of this season, this Friday night showdown will be the final meeting between SMU and Temple for the foreseeable future. Philadelphia is transpiring for the last time as a conference matchup. And on the gridiron, the combination of those cities usually refers to a longstanding, heated NFC East rivalry between the Cowboys and Eagles.īut in the college football sense, Dallas vs. ![]() It’s a potential World Series matchup if the current NLCS and ALCS trends sustain.
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