By Dylan Edwards, SMUMustangs.com

The defensive side of the ball was obviously an area that new head coach Sonny Dykes and his staff knew needed to be addressed to see improvement from the 2017 season's production. That's why Dykes brought in defensive coordinator Kevin Kane to invigorate that side of the ball.

With just one week left of spring practice, the progress of the defense has been an aspect, in particular, that Dykes has been pleased with.

"Defensively, the last two practices, we've looked good," Dykes said. "Everything is tighter. Our coverages are tighter. We're breaking on the ball better and fitting things better. We're starting to play aggressive and faster. They're not trying to process as much as they were before. They have a better base and they're playing faster and more physical."

Saturday's practice served as a precursor to the spring game next weekend, as the Mustangs scrimmaged for about 80 plays on a chilly Dallas afternoon. 

"To play 80 plays as clean as did is encouraging," Dykes said. "The defense played physical and with some confidence and emotion. It was encouraging to see that."

That physical play has been emphasis for the staff all spring, and it's showing benefits in one of the most crucial areas of defense: tackling. 

"We're improving across the board, especially on defense, as the guys get more settled and more familiar," Dykes said. "We've tackled well. That's been the biggest surprise. We're starting to try to play more physically upfront. We've got to win the line of scrimmage to be the team we want to be. We're starting to make some progress there."

Dykes and his staff hope that progress continues to build over the final week of spring practice and into the summer. There's still plenty of ground that needs to be covered before September, but the Mustangs have made good use to this point of their three of spring practice.

"We've got a lot of work that needs to happen, but it has been a good, productive spring," Dykes sadi. "We're learning. This film of the scrimmage will be very valuable. We have four days next week to improve. I expect us to come out and compete next Saturday just like we did today."

SMU's spring game is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 14 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Parking and admission are free.