Sept. 11, 2005
Recap | Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery
Head Coach Phil Bennett
On tonight's victory... "I thought we played extremely hard and overcame some of our own mistakes. I am very very proud of our defense. They did a great job of keeping a fifth-year quarterback in check. We bent but did not break and came up with plays when we needed them. I think TCU came to play and they knew when they played in Dallas last time that it wasn't easy. Our kids earned it and they got it. This win is what I call a marquee win. These are the type of wins that we need to keep getting."
On the state of the program... "For us this is a starting point. I told these kids when I recruited them that we were going to play for championships and that I was looking for difference makers. It is all about progress. Coach Patterson said to me before the game that we are a much improved football team. I agree with him, but now we have to start proving it and tonight was a good start."
On the play of DeMyron Martin... "I was in the offensive coaches' ears all night. I wanted to ride him. I learned a long time ago that when you have a horse that's running you better ride him."
On the SMU vs. TCU rivalry... "Tonight was about SMU pride. We're tired of hearing about TCU and how they don't want to see this game as a rivalry. I'll tell you something, they better see it as a rivalry. I can see why they haven't, because we haven't proved it and haven't earned their respect recently. They beat us 44-0 last year. But tonight I told the guys you earn respect. You don't talk about, you earn it."
SMU Players
DeMyron Martin
"I've been working hard lately and coach told me that he would give me a chance this week. I just wanted to go out there and make a difference."
"Coach let us know how much this game meant and it made everyone want to step their game up."
"I want to talk about our day, not just about my day because it was a total team effort. We showed anyone that was doubting us that we are a much improved football team."
Jerad Romo
"DeMyron had never been in a game before tonight and he came in and hit the holes so hard. There were times when guys would hit him at the line of scrimmage and he would get away and get about eight yards. I was proud of him. He had a great game and he showed a lot of people that he can play."
Jamey Harper
"D.D. helped me out a lot on my first pick. He was in the passing lane and it enabled me to just read it and step in front of it. The pressure up front was big as well."
"Having everybody healthy is the big difference this year. Everybody is back now and things are clicking."
