Nov. 26, 2005
Recap | Final Stats
SMU vs. UTEP Post-Game Notes
With the win, SMU posts a three-game win streak for the first time since the 1999 and the most wins in a season since 1997.
SMU also finishes .500 in conference for the first time since 2001.
The interceptions by Jamey Harper and Alvin Nnabuife in the first quarter were the fourth of the season for each. Four picks are the most in a season by an SMU defender since Shane O'Neill intercepted five passes in 2001.
The second-quarter interception by Adrian Haywood was the first of his career.
SMU had 17 interceptions as a team on the season. That ties for the most INTs by an SMU squad since the 1982 team had 22.
D.D. Lee's fourth quarter interception was his second of the season (Baylor) and the third of his career.
Chris McMurtray finishes his career by hitting a school-record 17 consecutive field goals. He also sets a new career mark for field goal percentage at 75% (36 of 48) and ties the season marks with 18 field goals in a season and season FG percentage at 81.8% (Eddie Garcia, 1981, 18 FG, 81.8%).
McMurtray's four field goals made today are the most made in a single game since Daniel Hernandez hit four against TCU in 1996.
The 24 points scored in the third quarter are the most by an SMU squad in a period since the Mustangs score 28 in the third quarter last season against Nevada.
The 40 points scored by SMU were the most scored since the Mustangs posted 41 against Tulsa in 2004 and the most points scored in regulation since a 42-35 win also against UTEP in 2002.
SMU's seven forced turnovers are a season high.
SMU's four interceptions were the most since 2000 against Nevada.
Johnnie Fitzgerald's touchdown run in the third quarter was the first of his career.
Ryan Kennedy's touchdown catch in the fourth quarter was his first of the season and second of his career.
Ryan Menztel is now SMU's all-time leader in punt attempts with 254. Anthony Scotti (1994-97) held the old record at 252.
With 117 yards today, DeMyron Martin posted his fourth 100-yard game of the season and finishes with 854 yards for the season.
Coach Phil Bennett
On the season ending victory...
"It goes without saying that I am very proud of the way the guys played. I do not want to say that a program has turned the corner with a 5-6 record, but I think we have improved dramatically. I think that on this day we are playing as good as any team in Conference USA. There is a belief that these guys can win now and my coaches put them in position to win. It has been quite a while since there has been an expectancy to win at SMU."
On the play of the team down the stretch...
"Our front four on defense was outstanding. We were plus seven on turnovers and I think it says a lot about our players. UTEP is a good team and came in with a lot to play for. Our guys believed they could win and I am just sorry the season is over. I can't really single anybody out. It was a total team win."
On the direction of the program...
"Today was a defining moment for this football team. When you rebuild a program things come in a progression. You have to start with the breakdown and work your way back up. We bottomed out with the 0-12 year. We had some close games that year, but we just weren't good enough to finish games. I thought late in the year last year we started competing and obviously this year, except for a few instances, we were at team that you had to earn everything you got when you played us. I told the kids that there is a fine margin between victory and defeat. It is a shame that we are not playing for a championship, the way the conference has shaped up. But the shame is on us, because we had the opportunity to do it. I thought today was great motivation for the guys coming back and I think it validated what we have going here."
UTEP Head Coach Mike Price
On Jordan Palmer's four interceptions...
"We talked throughout the whole game. He had a rough game, and he will come back and have better ones. Certainly this wasn't one of his better games."
On if there was anything other than the turnovers that led to the outcome...
"Besides the turnovers, I don't know if there was anything else. That was the deciding factor. It kept them in the game all the time. I thought at times our defense played wonderful. At the end of the game, they got worn out it looked like. We are all real disappointed."
On what he thinks of SMU..
"I thought SMU was good coming into the game and I think SMU is good coming out of the game. I am happy for coach Bennett; he's a good guy. They beat us fair and square."
