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Head CoachÂ
Chad Morris At Weekly Luncheon - Nov. 1, 2016
VIDEO: Offensive Coordinator Joe Craddock
VIDEO: Defensive Coordinator Van Malone
VIDEO: WR James Proche
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 SETTING THE SCENE |
•SMU returns to the Hilltop to host Memphis on homecoming Saturday at 3 p.m. CT on ESPNews. The Mustangs will be looking for their first three-game winning streak in conference play since 2009.
•The Mustangs came back from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Tulane 35-31 last week to win consecutive conference games for first time since 2013. In week eight, SMU defeated [11/11] Houston 38-16, its first win over a team ranked 11th or higher since Jan. 1, 1983, when the Mustangs defeated No. 6 Pittsburgh in the Cotton Bowl, 7-3.
•Led by sophomore Braeden West and redshirt freshman James Proche, the Mustangs offense surpassed 400 yards of total offense for the third-consecutive game. West had 22 rushes for 119 yards and a career-high two touchdowns, while Proche finished with six receptions for a career-high in both yards (164) and touchdowns (2).Â
•SMU has 14 INTs, which is tied for second among all FBS schools. The Mustangs have had an interception in seven out of eight games this season. SMU is the only FBS school with three players (Jordan Wyatt (4), Horace Richardson (4), Darrion Millines (4)) with four picks. SMU is currently tied for fifth in the country in takeaways with 18 (four fumble recoveries). In 2015, SMU gained just 10 turnovers all season.
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 THE SERIES - ALL-TIME VS. MEMPHIS (3-5) |
•SMU and Memphis will meet for the ninth time, with the Tigers holding a 5-3 lead. Both teams have met every year since 2011 with the Mustangs collecting three-consecutive victories in 2011, 2012 and 2013. However, the Tigers have won the last two in the series, including a 63-0 victory last season in Memphis.
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 ABOUT THE TIGERS |
•Memphis fell to 2-2 in The American and 5-3 overall after a 59-30 loss against Tulsa last week at home. After starting conference play 2-0, the Tigers have dropped consecutive games to [24/25] Navy in week eight and the Golden Hurricane in week nine.
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 THE COACHES |
•Chad Morris is in his second season at the SMU helm, arriving on the Hilltop after five seasons as an offensive coordinator (Tulsa (2010); Clemson (2011-14)). Prior to his stint in college, Morris was a high school coach in Texas for 16 seasons, posting a 169-38 record. In his final prep stop, Morris led Lake Travis High School to back-to-back 16-0 state championship seasons in 2008 and 2009. In his first season on the Hilltop, Morris engineered an offensive turnaround, as the Mustangs increased their scoring output by 16.7 points per game – the second-largest increase in the nation in 2015. His career record stands at 6-14.
•Mike Norvell is in his first season as the Head Coach at Memphis after spending the previous four years at Arizona State where he was the program's deputy head coach and offensive coordinator. Last season, the Sun Devils ranked 23rd nationally in total offense, averaging 473.8 yards per game. Norvell has Memphis two games above .500 after leading the Tigers to a 3-0 start. Norvell has also had stints as an assistant at Pittsburgh and Tulsa. His career record stands at 5-3.
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 LAST TIME VS. MEMPHIS |
Paxton Lynch tied the FBS record with seven touchdown passes in a half, and Memphis set single-season records for yards and points in a 63-0 win over SMU on Nov. 28, 2015.
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 MILLINES, RICHARDSON, WYATT & ASSOCIATES |
It's not a law firm, it's SMU's defensive backfield. SMU is the only team in the country with three players with four interceptions. Horace Richardson, Jordan Wyatt and Darrion Millines each have four picks and are three of only 23 players in the country with four or more INTs.
Millines has had picks against UNT, Baylor and Tulsa and clinched the win at Tulane with an interception on the final play of the game.
Richardson recorded two picks in week one at North Texas, one in week three vs. Liberty and he picked off his fourth of the season at Temple to give him eight for his career.
Wyatt registered back-to-back games with an interception as he picked off his first of the season at Baylor and then snagged two more against the Flames, including his first career pick-six that sealed the victory.Wyatt recorded his second pick-six of the season at Temple and now has four interceptions on the season and six in his career. Wyatt is one of just three players in the country who have two INT TDs this year, and his 97 return yards is 11th in FBS.Â
Mustang defensive backs have been ballhawks this season, with five different players (Clemons (1), Rhone (1), Millines (4), Richardson (4), Wyatt (4)) notching interceptions. SMU is the only FBS school with three players with four or more picks in 2016.
SMU has multiple interceptions in four games this season (3 at North Texas, 2 at Baylor, 4 vs. Liberty, 2 at Temple) and have had picks in seven out of eight games overall.
SMU has 14 interceptions total this season, which is tied for second in the FBS, and is currently tied for fifth in the country in takeaways with 18 (four fumble recoveries)
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 BIG GAME JAMES |
Redshirt freshman wide receiver James Proche was named to the AAC Honor Roll and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Honorable Mention list after posting six catches for career-highs in both yards (164) and touchdowns (2) in the Mustangs' 35-31 victory at Tulane.Â
The Dallas native leads the team in receptions (41) and all-purpose yards (830). Proche is second on the team in receiving yards (548) and touchdowns (4). The shifty receiver has made his presence known as of late scoring all four of his touchdowns in three of the last four games.
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 SMU IN THE AP |
SMU is one of only 44 schools that have ever been ranked No. 1 by the Associated Press. The first AP poll was in 1936. The Mustangs have been ranked No. 1 twice in program history.
This fall, the AP ranked SMU No. 55 in its all-time Top 100 college football programs.
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 SAC-MAN FEVER |
Senior defensive end
Jarvis Pruitt was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and AAC Defensive Player of the Week after his performance against [11/11] Houston.
Pruitt recorded five tackles, including a career-high three sacks, and a fumble recovery in the Mustangs' 38-16 victory over the Cougars. Pruitt is the second SMU player to earn Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors since 2004, joining former Mustang QB Garrett Gilbert (Oct. 27, 2013).
The Houston, Texas, native ranks second on the team in sacks with 4.5 on the season.
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 ALL OF A SUTTON |
Sophomore Courtland Sutton was named to the 2016 Biletnikoff Award Watch List and was tabbed preseason All-AAC by Athlon Sports.
The Brenham, Texas, native was also named to the 2015 Biletnikoff Award Watch List during a stellar freshman campaign where he was named to the USA Today Sports Freshman All-America Team following a standout first season on the Hilltop.  Â
In 2015, Sutton recorded team highs in catches (49), yards (862) and touchdowns (9). His 15 receptions of 20+ yards or more led all returning wide receivers entering 2016 and the 862 receiving yards set an SMU freshman record, besting the previous mark by 173 yards. His nine receiving touchdowns also tied the freshman mark set by former Mustang great, Super Bowl 50 champion and current Denver Bronco Emmanuel Sanders.
Sutton had a great week one at UNT, earning AAC Honor Roll accolades and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Honorable Mention after posting four catches for 162 yards and three touchdowns, including a career-long 88-yard TD reception, the fifth-longest pass play in SMU history. His 162 yards on just four catches against UNT were the most yards on four grabs for a Mustang since 1998.
Sutton registered six catches for 112 yards and a touchdown in week two at Baylor to become the first Mustang since 2008 to open the season with four TDs in his first two games along with NFL-ers Aldrick Robinson and Emmanuel Sanders.
Sutton recorded five catches for 113 yards in week four against TCU to pick up his third 100-yard receiving game of the season and sixth of his career.
In week eight against [11/11] Houston, Sutton had seven receptions for 83 yards with a touchdown to give him 14 for his career, which is tied for eighth in program history. He currently has 1,587 receiving yards in his career, which moves him into 16th place in school history.
On the year, Sutton has 39 receptions for 698 yards and his 87.3 yards per game currently ranks 24th in the country. Sutton has five touchdowns in eight games and ranks 13th in the country at 17.90 yards per catch among receivers with at least 30 catches.
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 GO WEST, YOUNG MAN |
SMU sophomore running back and return man Braeden West was named preseason All-AAC by Athlon Sports and selected to ProFootballFocus's All-G5 preseason squad.
West put together a spectacular performance in the home opener against Liberty in week three, rushing for a career-high 220 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, including a career-long 66-yard TD run, the longest run for SMU since 2012.
The Katy, Texas, native's 220-yard rushing performance against the Flames ranks fifth in program history and is currently tied for the fifth-best rushing total in an FBS game this season and is the best for a player in The American. His 9.2 YPC average for the game is the seventh best in FBS this season (min: 20 attempts). For his play, he was named to the AAC Weekly Honor Roll and earned Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Honorable Mention.
It was the first 200-yard game at SMU since Zach Line was 30-202 with a touchdown vs. Marshall in 2010 and the first 200-plus yard, multiple-TD performance since ShanDerrick Charles was 27-212 with four TDs vs. UTEP in 2001.
At Tulsa, West racked up 124 rushing yards and a TD on 22 carries to give him his second 100-yard game of the season.Â
Against [11/11] Houston, West had another stellar performance with 115 rushing yards and a TD on only 18 carries to give him his second-consecutive 100-yard game and third of the season.
At Tulane, West had 119 yards and two TDs on 22 carries for his third-consecutive 100-yard game and fourth of the season. Down 10 in the fourth quarter, West rushed for two TDs in the final 6;24 to lead the Mustangs to victory.
It was the 10th time in 20 career games that West has recorded 100+ all-purpose yards. His career high is 225 vs. Temple (11/6/15).
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 OFF THE BEN-CH |
SMU redshirt freshman quarterback Ben Hicks was thrust into a starting role after senior Matt Davis was lost for the season during the opener at UNT.
Hicks' first career completion was an 88-yard TD pass to Courtland Sutton. It was the fifth-longest pass play in SMU history, and longest for SMU since 2009.
In game six against Tulsa, Hicks set then-career-highs with 29 completions and two passing TDs.
Against Houston, Hicks completed 16 of 31 passes for 228 yards and a career-high three TDs while rushing for another score in the win. For his play, he was named CBS Sports' Freshman of the Week and to the AAC and Tyler Rose Award Weekly Honor Roll and Davey O'Brien "Great 8" Quarterback list.
Last week at Tulane, Hicks continued to improve and led the Mustangs from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 35-31 against the Green Wave. The Waco, Texas, native completed 16 of 31 passes for a career-high 302 yards with two TDs.
Hicks has steadily improved each week. In the last three games, he is averaging 20.3 completions per game and 262.7 yards per game. He also has thrown seven touchdowns and run for another in the stretch, scoring a 128.3 QBR.
Entering this week's game, Hicks' 1,814 yards passing ranks fifth among all freshman QBs.
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 LAYIN' DOWN THE LAW |
Junior defensive end Justin Lawler currently ranks third in The American in sacks with 6.0 and has 11.0 in his career. Lawler was named to Dave Campbell's 2016 All-Texas College Team and the Athlon Sports and Phil Steele All-AAC preseason squads.
Lawler anchors the Mustang defense and leads the team in TFL (8.0) and is second in tackles (45). His 3.5 sacks against North Texas is tied for the third-best FBS individual game effort this year. He recorded his second career blocked FG against Liberty, the first for SMU since the 2015 home finale. In week six, Lawler registered his second blocked FG of the season and third of his career. Lawler is one of 10 players in FBS with two or more blocked kicks this season.
The Pottsboro, Texas, native has helped the Mustangs on both sides of the ball during his career on the Hilltop, appearing in some goal-line offensive sets in 2014, catching a two-point conversion at Tulsa and hauling in a three-yard touchdown reception against USF.
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 SMU IN THE CLASSROOM |
There are several reasons to be excited for the 2016 football season. Head coach Chad Morris believes that there is a direct correlation between improvement in the classroom and on the field. If so, then the Mustangs should see an increase in wins this season due to the improved grade-point average of the team.
The SMU football team posted a Spring GPA of 2.879 with a cumulative mark of 2.748, both program highs. The team continued its success in classroom over the summer, posting a 3.344 GPA in the session.
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 TOUGH TANGLIN' IN TEXAS |
SMU played six teams that were ranked in 2015 and Phil Steele's College Football Preview ranked SMU has having the hardest schedule of any G5 team in the country last year. SMU's 2016 slate doesn't get any easier. SMU's opponents' record of 93-60 represents the highest winning percentage of any G5 team's schedule and the 13th highest of any FBS school.
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Not including UNT (SMU's week one foe), SMU's 2016 FBS opponents went 8-2 in Week 1.
The Mustangs will face two teams in non-conference play in 2016 that finished last season in the final AP top 15. They are just one of four teams to do so (Oklahoma, USC and Rice).
SMU's defense will be tested as the Mustangs will face five of the top 20 ranked offenses from last season, which includes Baylor (1), TCU (3), Tulsa (13), Memphis (19) and Houston (20).
In addition, the Mustangs will play two of the top 10 rushing attacks from 2015 in Navy (2) and USF (10).
SMU is slated to play six of the top 25 scoring teams from last year including 4 of the top 11: Baylor (1), TCU (7), Houston (10), Memphis (11), Tulsa (21) and Navy (22).
The Mustangs are the only team in the country to play their entire non-conference schedule in one state with two of those games on the road. SMU will play eight of their 12 regular season games in Texas.
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 IMPROVED DEFENSE |
SMU had one of the toughest schedules last year facing off against five of the top 20 offenses in the country.Â
The defense made strides in the second half of the year, improving total defense by more than 125 yards per game aided by a over 100-yards-per-game improvement in passing defense.
First Six Games of 2015
570 yards/game Total Defense
273 yards/game Rushing Defense
297 yards/game Passing Defense
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Second Six Games of 2015
433 yards/game Total Defense
249 yards/game Rushing Defense
184 yards/game Passing Defense
The improvement continued in the 2016 season opener, as SMU held the UNT offense in check and recorded three picks in the win.
In game two, SMU held Baylor without a first half score, marking just the fourth time in the last 57 games that the Bears didn't have a TD in the opening 30 minutes. SMU also intercepted BU twice.
In game three, SMU had four interceptions against Liberty, the most by the Mustangs in a game since 2012.
In game four, SMU held TCU to six points in the first half, marking the second time this season the Mustangs have held a ranked opponent without a TD at half. SMU also registered another interception.
In game five, the Mustangs recorded three turnovers (2 interceptions and a fumble recovery) against Temple and held the Owls to only 124 yards passing.
In game six, SMU had four sacks, a blocked FG and an interception against Tulsa.
In game seven, SMU defense had a season-high in both sacks (7) and TFLs (10) in a 38-16 win against [11/11] Houston, while also forcing two fumbles. The Mustangs held the Cougars to 62 rushing yards and just 16 points, their lowest single-game totals since 2014. UH was also held to their lowest totals in total offense and yards-per-carry since Tom Herman became head coach.
SMU has 14Â interceptions on the season, which is tied for second in the FBS, and is currently tied for fifth in the country in takeaways with 18Â (four fumble recoveries).Â
2016 Totals
427.9Â yards/game Total Defense
180.0 yards/game Rushing Defense
247.9 yards/game Passing Defense
Last year, SMU yielded 43.3 points per game, giving up on average 630.5 yards of total offense (351 passing, 279.5 rushing). This season, those totals dramatically improved, as SMU is allowing just 30.4 points and 427.9 total yards (247.9 passing, 180.0 rushing). The biggest improvement has been on the ground. Last year, the 'Stangs allowed 6.9 YPC; this year, that number has improved to 4.29 YPC.
When evaluating SMU's D, one must keep in mind they have faced an average of 79.8 plays per game - seventh most in FBS.
While the Mustangs' rank 86th in Total Defense, they're actually 49th in the country in yards per play allowed (5.37), which is easily in the top half of the country.
The Mustangs are 88th in passing yards allowed, but 38th in Yards/Att (6.59), and, more importantly, they're 33rd in Passing Efficiency Defense. According to Phil Steele's Pass Efficiency Defense Rankings, which takes opponents passing strength into account, SMU is 31st in the country, which is eighth among all Group of Five teams.
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 THREE-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPS |
SMU is one of just 20 schools that boasts both a Heisman Trophy winner and multiple National Championships.
Doak Walker won the Heisman following a dominant 1948 season in which he rushed for 542 yards and eight touchdowns, caught 15 passes for 278 yards and two scores, and threw for 304 yards and five TDs. He also returned 10 punts for 169 yards and a touchdown, totaled 161 yards on five kickoff returns, intercepted three passes for 75 yards, averaged 42.1 yards on 35 punts and kicked 22 PATs. He beat out Charlie Justice and Chuck Bednarik for the Heisman.
The NCAA recognizes three SMU teams as National Champions - 1935 (Dickinson & Houlgate), 1981 (National Championship Foundation) & 1982 (Helms Athletic Foundation).
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 NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK |
In the 2016 season opener, 28 first- or second-year Mustangs (true freshmen, redshirt freshmen or true sophomores) saw action, continuing Chad Morris' trend of utilizing young players.
SMU is particularly young on offense, playing true freshmen, redshirt freshmen or true sophomores at quarterback, running back and wide receiver.
Percentage of Total Offense By Underclassmen
1. Penn State                                                                            99.9%
2. UL-Monroe                                        99.7%
3. UMass                                            97.9%
4. Miami (OH)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 97.3%
5. Alabama                                          96.8%
6. Syracuse                                                                                95.9%
7. SMU Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 92.5%
8. Auburn                                           90.1%
9. Ball State                                         87.%
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 ALL-PURPOSE FRESHMEN |
SMU was the only team in FBS last season to have three freshmen with 800 or more all-purpose yards. Running back
Braeden West led the Mustang trio with 1,135 yards, followed by wide receiver
Courtland Sutton with 854 yard. Running back
Xavier Jones was only a few yards behind Sutton with 848 yards.
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 EVEN EVAN |
A steadying force on the Mustang offensive line,
Evan Brown was tabbed preseason All-AAC by Athlon Sports and was also named to the 2016 Fall Watch List for the Rimington Trophy. The award is given annually to the top center in FBS college football.  Â
Brown, who is a junior in 2016, started 22 games in his first two seasons on the Hilltop, mostly at right guard. The Southlake, Texas, native did start two games at center as a freshman in 2014.
Following the Tulsa game, Brown was named the Pro Football Focus Team of the Week. PFF said of Brown, "Brown continually found second-level linebackers to open holes for SMU runners while only losing handful of times on his 90 snaps. He surrendered one negated pressure on his 56 snaps in pass protection."
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 PONY UP-GRADES |
SMU has made almost $10 million in Ford Stadium improvements since 2011, including upgrades to the locker room, a new team meeting room with stadium-style seating and renovated positional meeting rooms, a new playing surface, lighting system, A/V system, new suites and club seating.
In 2013, SMU added a new 233-seat Hall of Champions Club and seven new suites to the northwest corner of the stadium.
In 2014, SMU made significant upgrades to the Stadium Club. The improvements to the nearly 900-seat area included new stadium seats and bar stools. The enhancements also include new carpet and granite countertops.
In 2015, SMU updated its football offices and team areas, installing new graphics and displays.
This fall, SMU replaced the synthetic turf playing field at Ford Stadium, with the new surface being ready for the 2016 season.
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 FAST LAYNE |
Paul Layne holds an unrivaled Mustang record, having attended every SMU game for the last 40-plus years, even going to Tokyo.
He had to pull a "fast one" more than once to keep his streak alive – like the time his ex-wife remarried. He persuaded her to schedule her wedding on a Friday within driving distance of SMU's game at Nevada the following day. So the night before the Mustangs tangled with the Wolf Pack in Reno, Layne attended the wedding in California's Sonoma Valley, then drove 200 miles to catch the opening kickoff.
Layne even attended a game dressed in a Halloween costume to disguise his case of adult-onset chicken pox.
Starting when Layne attended SMU and was a team cheerleader, he's attended 476Â straight games.
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 THE PONY EXPRESS RIDES AGAIN |
SMU alum, 1982 All-American and NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson has earned two huge honors over the past two years.
In 2015, Dickerson was the recipient of the 2015 Walter Camp Alumni Award. The Walter Camp Alumni of the Year award is bestowed on a worthy individual who has distinguished himself in the pursuit of excellence as an athlete, in his personal career and in doing good works for others.
Dickerson rushed for a Southwest Conference-record 4,450 yards and 48 TDs in three seasons for the Mustangs. In 1982, Dickerson totaled an impressive 1,617 yards and 17 TDs, averaging 7.0 yards a carry, on his way to Walter Camp All-America honors.
Dickerson was the first NFL player to gain more than 1,000 yards in seven consecutive seasons and became the fastest to total 10,000 yards (in just 91 games). He was named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, and, in 1999, Dickerson was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Following the 2015 season, Dickerson was inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame. Dickerson was among six individuals who helped shape the tradition of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic and college football history and were chosen for 2016 class
Dickerson ran for 124 yards on 27 attempts in the 1983 Cotton Bowl Classic, serving as the workhorse in the Mustangs' 7-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers. His constant pounding on Pittsburgh defenders propelled the Ponies to their first Cotton Bowl victory in 34 years and helped SMU to the 1982 Helms Athletic Foundation National Championship.
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 SMU HITS $1B CAMPAIGN GOAL |
The Second Century Campaign, the largest and most successful fundraising initiative in SMU's history, raised $1.15 billion for the enhancement of the University's student quality, faculty and academic excellence and the campus experience. The campaign's official completion date was Dec. 31, 2015.
The Second Century Campaign was publicly launched in 2008 with a goal of $750 million. Rapid progress toward that goal and opportunities for further advancements led SMU leaders in 2013 to increase the goal to $1 billion and extend its timeline to 2015.
Ending in 2002, SMU's previous major gifts campaign, "A Time to Lead: The Campaign for SMU", raised $542 million. Combining both campaigns, in the last two decades SMU has raised a total of $1.5 billion for 753 new scholarships, 111 new academic positions, 146 academic programs and 32 capital projects.
SMU joins 35 private universities that have raised $1 billion or more through major gifts campaigns. The institutions range from Columbia and Notre Dame to Emory and Vanderbilt.
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 SMU ATHLETICS MASTER PLAN |
SMU has announced plans to construct a new Indoor Performance Center, an outdoor natural grass football practice field and a new soccer stadium, another sign of the University's commitment to competing at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics. These plans come on the heels of amazing success during SMU's Second Century Campaign, when SMU Athletics secured more than $191 million in gift commitments, and after 18 months of careful planning and design.
"This is a transformative plan for SMU Athletics and another tangible example of our commitment and desire to compete at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics," said SMU President R. Gerald Turner.
The Indoor Performance Center (IPC) will feature a full-sized football field and indoor 300-meter track, and will be located on the current track and soccer field site. In addition to use by the football and track programs, the IPC will also serve as a resource for other student and campus activities and events. A new outdoor natural grass football practice field will be adjacent to the IPC. The new soccer stadium, to be used by SMU's men's and women's soccer teams, will be located on Mockingbird Lane, the site of the current practice fields. These projects constitute Phase 1 of SMU Athletics' Facilities Master Plan, a $150 million comprehensive facilities investment that will serve the needs of all 17 sports and 400-plus student-athletes.
"Our commitment to competing for championships and enhancing the student experience requires continued investment in student well-being and our people as well as our infrastructure," said SMU Director of Athletics Rick Hart. "SMU and its donors and fans have made huge investments in athletics in recent years, and these projects are yet another step forward for our department."
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 HONORARY CAPTAINS |
Head Coach Chad Morris has brought several new traditions to SMU's football program, including naming an Honorary Captain at each home game.Â
In the seven home games last season, Harvey Armstrong, Reggie Dupard, Chuck Hixson, Ramon Flanigan, Gary Hammond, Lance McIlhenny and Louie Kelcher were all named Honorary Captains. Mike Ford was honored in the home opener.
This week, the Mustangs will have two honorary captains. Morris has bestowed that honor upon former SMU greats Michael Carter and Jim Duggan.
Carter was a two-sport star at SMU as a member of the football squad and track and field team (1979-83). He was a seven-time national champion in the shot put with four indoor titles and three outdoor championships. He was a member of the 1983 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor National Champion track and field teams. Carter also won the silver medal in the shot put at the 1984 Summer Olympics. On the field, he was an All-SWC defensive tackle for the Mustangs in 1983 and a fifth-round draft choice of the San Francisco 49ers in 1984. Carter was a three-time Pro Bowl selection at nose tackle and anchored the 49ers' defensive line for nine seasons (1984-92). He is a three-time Super Bowl Champion and is the only athlete to win  an Olympic medal and Super Bowl ring in the same year.
Duggan was a four-year starter at offensive tackle for the Mustangs (1973-76). After a short stint in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, Duggan gained fame in the 1980s and 90s as a professional wrestler in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He went by the name "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan in the WWE and he was known for starting "USA" chants while carryinig his signature 2x4.
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 WE DON'T TAILGATE, WE BOULEVARD |
The editors at Southern Living posted a roster of the top 20 Southern schools with the greatest pregame celebrations, and SMU's Boulevard made the list.
From the food and drink to the style and traditions, nobody does tailgating quite like the Mustangs. Gameday at SMU is The Boulevard. SMU's beautiful Bishop Boulevard is tailgate central for fun and entertainment.
Along The Boulevard, fans can mingle with family, and friends and bring a picnic, fire up a grill or visit one of the many food vendors.
The Boulevard is so famous that the guys from Dude Perfect picked SMU to shoot their tailgate game trickshot video. See it here - https://goo.gl/uYCuWj.
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 SMU RISES IN US NEWS RANKINGS |
SMU rose to its highest ranking among the nation's universities in the 2017 edition of U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges. Among 220 institutions classified as national universities, SMU ranks 56, up from 61 a year ago.
The new ranking again places SMU in the first tier of institutions in the guide's "best national universities" category. In Texas, only Rice University ranks higher. SMU and the University of Texas-Austin were tied. Â Among private national universities, SMU ranks 39.
SMU's increase was one of the five largest among the top 100 universities. Since 2008, SMU's 11-point increase is one of the four largest among schools in the top 60.
For the rankings, U.S. News considers measures of academic quality, such as peer assessment scores and ratings by high school counselors, faculty resources, student selectivity, graduation rate performance, financial resources and alumni giving. SMU ranks 24 among all national universities in alumni giving at 25 percent.
In other ranking categories, SMU ranks 32 as one of the best national universities for veterans.
"It is gratifying for SMU to be recognized for its positive movement among the best national universities," said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. "The ranking is an example of the momentum of the Second Century Campaign and the University's Centennial Celebration.
 "We appreciate external recognition of our progress and believe it's valid, but we also know that rankings do not portray the whole picture of an institution and its strengths. We encourage parents and students to visit the institutions they are considering for a firsthand look at the academic offerings, the campus environment and the surrounding community to best gauge a university."
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 PREP PREPAREDNESS |
SMU Head Coach Chad Morris is one of 19 FBS head coaches who previously served as high school head coaches.
Morris' 16 seasons as a prep head coach ranks No. 1 among the group, and only Tony Jinks (Bowling Green) and Tony Sanchez (UNLV) were prep coaches more recently than Morris. Morris is among two AAC coaches with a high school background, joining Tommy Tuberville of Cincinnati.
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 TRIBUTE 23 |
Since 2009, the SMU coaching staff has chosen a deserving student-athlete to wear the number 23 to honor Jerry LeVias.
LeVias was the first African-American to receive an athletic scholarship in the Southwest Conference. While at SMU, LeVias made athletic and academic All-America teams and, in 1966, contributed to the Mustangs' first SWC title in 18 years. He was an All-American in 1968 and was chosen All-SWC in 1966, 1967 and 1968.
Jeremiah Gaines (2015), Stephon Sanders (2012-14) and Chris Banjo (2009-11) are the only players to have worn the number 23 in honor of LeVias.
Senior defensive end Nick Horton was awarded the number for 2016, but suffered an injury in week two and will miss the remainder of the season.
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 WE DON'T TAILGATE, WE BOULEVARD |
The editors at Southern Living posted a roster of the top 20 Southern schools with the greatest pregame celebrations, and SMU's Boulevard made the list.
From the food and drink to the style and traditions, nobody does tailgating quite like the Mustangs. SMU's beautiful Bishop Boulevard is tailgate central for fun and entertainment.
Along The Boulevard, fans can mingle with family and friends and bring a picnic, fire up a grill or visit Mustang Alley vendors.
The Boulevard is so famous that the guys from Dude Perfect picked SMU to shoot their tailgate game trickshot video. See it here - https://goo.gl/uYCuWj.
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 TEMPO TALK |
Head Coach Chad Morris will join Mustang fans for Tempo Talk all season long at Humperdinks Restaurant & Bar located at 6050 Greenville Ave., Dallas, Texas 75206.
Rich Phillips, the voice of the Mustangs, will host the event live from 7-8 PM on KAAM 770 AM radio every Monday night from 7-8 PM starting Aug. 29th. There will be food and drinks specials, trivia and prizes on site each week.
The show will air on the following dates:
Monday, August 29th
Monday, September 5th
Monday, September 12th
Monday, September 19th
Monday, September 26th
Monday, October 3rd
Monday, October 17th
Monday, October 24th
Monday, October 31st
Monday, November 7th
Monday, November 14th
Monday, November 21st
Please note that there is no show on Monday, October 10th, as it is SMU's off week.
Humperdinks Brewpubs in the DFW Metroplex are locally owned since 1976. Born as a neighborhood restaurant in then "far north Dallas" at Greenville & Southwestern Blvd (just north of Old Town). Humperdinks grew to become a Dallas institution for serious comfort food and a lively bar scene.
