Head CoachÂ
Chad Morris At Weekly Luncheon - Nov. 22, 2016
VIDEO: Defensive Coordinator Van Malone
VIDEO: TE Jeremiah Gaines
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 SETTING THE SCENE |
•SMU hosts Navy for Senior Day on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT. The Mustangs will be looking to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2012.
•Saturday marks the final home game on the Hilltop for 17 seniors: Terry Ayeni, Chauncey Briggs, Christian Burks, Matt Davis, Dylan Dickman, Travis Fister, Jeremiah Gaines, Deon Green, Daniel McCarty, Darrion Millines, Zelt Minor, Jackson Mitchell, Jarvis Pruitt, Horace Richardson, Jerry Saena, Sean Tuohy, Jr. and Jeremy White.
•The two teams will be playing for the Gansz Trophy, created in 2009 in memory of Frank Gansz, who played at Navy from 1957-59 and was an assistant coach at both Navy and SMU. Gansz died in April of 2009 from complications following knee replacement surgery.
•The Mustangs tallied a season-high 578 yards of total offense last week in a 35-27 loss to USF, with sophomore WR Courtland Sutton putting together a record performance, recording a school-record 252 receiving yards and two TDs on a career-high 13 receptions, earning AAC Honor Roll accolades.
•SMU has 18 INTs, which is tied for second among all FBS schools. SMU is the only FBS school with three players (Horace Richardson (6), Darrion Millines (5), Jordan Wyatt (4)) with four picks or more. SMU is also third in the country in takeaways with 25 (seven fumble recoveries) after forcing just 10 turnovers in 2015.
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 THE SERIES - ALL-TIME VS. NAVY (7-10) |
•SMU and [rv/rv] Navy will meet for the 18th time, with the Midshipmen holding a 10-7 lead. The Mustangs won six of the first seven meetings in the series, but Navy has won nine of the last 10 in the series, including a 55-14 victory last season. SMU last defeated Navy on Nov. 21, 1998, taking home a 24-11 win in Annapolis.
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 ABOUT THE MIDSHIPMEN |
•Navy clinched the American Athletic Conference West Division title with a 66-31 victory at East Carolina last week to improve to 6-1 in conference play and 8-2 record overall. Senior quarterback Will Worth leads The American in scoring with 22 rushing TDs. Navy is averaging 326.6 rushing yards per game, which leads the AAC and is third in FBS.
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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 7-15.
•Ken Niumatalolo is in his ninth season at the Naval Academy. Niumatalolo has led Navy to the AAC-West Division Championship and has the Midshipmen bowl eligible for the fifth-consecutive year with an 8-2 record. His career record stands at 76-39.
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 LAST TIME VS. NAVY |
Keenan Reynolds broke the NCAA record for career rushing touchdowns as No. 22/23 Navy beat SMU, 55-14, on Nov. 14, 2015.
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 THE GANSZ TROPHY |
When SMU and Navy meet on the gridiron, they battle for the Gansz Trophy, a traveling trophy created to honor late coaching legend Frank Gansz.
Considered perhaps the top special teams coach in the history of the NFL, Gansz spent time at both SMU and the Naval Academy. Gansz was starting his second season as special teams coach on the Hilltop when he passed away on April 27, 2009. As a collegian, Gansz played center and linebacker for the Naval Academy from 1957 to 1959 and graduated in 1960. He also spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Navy (1969-72).
In all, Gansz was a veteran of 38 seasons of coaching - 24 in the NFL and 14 in the collegiate ranks. Prior to coming to SMU in 2008, Gansz was with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he was special teams coordinator in 2000 and 2001. He served as the special teams coach of the St. Louis Rams for three seasons, helping the team to its victory in Super Bowl XXXIV.
In 1986, Gansz's first year as Asst. HC/Special Teams for Kansas City, the Chiefs blocked or deflected an NFL-record 10 kicks and scored five TDs. Because of his success with the special teams, Gansz was promoted to head coach of the Chiefs, a role he served from 1987 to 1988.
He left the Chiefs to become the special teams coach of the Detroit Lions from 1989 to 1993. In 1989, Gansz was named NFL Special Teams Coach of the Year by his peers. Gansz then spent three years as the assistant head coach/special teams for the Atlanta Falcons from 1994 to 1996.
Gansz's NFL career began in 1978 as special teams coach for the San Francisco 49ers. He coached special teams and tight ends for Cincinnati (1979-80), Kansas City (1981-82) and Philadelphia (1983-85).
After serving as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force for nearly seven years, Gansz began his coaching career at the Air Force Academy (1964-66). He also had coaching stints at Colgate (1968), Navy (1969-72), Oklahoma State (1973, 1975), Army (1974) and UCLA (1976-77).
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 STOPPING STAUBACH |
On October 11, 1963, the fourth-ranked Navy Midshipmen came to the Cotton Bowl to play the Mustangs on the Friday night before the Texas-OU game.
A crowd of 37,000 fans came to Fair Park with the intentions of getting a look at Navy's All-America quarterback, Roger Staubach. What the crowd did not expect was that the Mustangs and second-year head coach Hayden Fry were about to knock off Staubach and company in one of the most memorable games in SMU history.
After the Midshipmen jumped out to a 10-0 lead, SMU sophomore quarterback Mac White took a sweep 22 yards for a touchdown. However, Staubach brought Navy right back to extend the lead to 18-7. SMU QB Danny Thomas then came into the game in relief and hit Thomas Hillary for a touchdown with five seconds left in the first half, bringing the Mustangs to within five at 18-13 at the intermission.
Late in the third quarter, Staubach threw a touchdown pass for a 25-13 lead. But on the third play after the kickoff, John Roderick ignited the Cotton Bowl as he took a pitch from White and made one of the most exciting plays of the decade. Roderick cut all the way across the field at the 35, got a block from White and raced into the end zone to cut the Navy lead to six at 25-19.
The Mustang defense then stepped up on Navy's next possession and made the first of several big plays that night. Dave Corder intercepted Staubach, allowing the offense to come back on the field to go for the lead. SMU drove inside the Navy 10 and gave the ball to Roderick for the final surge into the end zone. The Mustangs had stormed back to take the lead, 26-25. But Staubach, with his usual determination, moved his team down the field setting up a field goal to give Navy a two-point lead at 28-26 with 2:52 remaining in the game.
On the ensuing possession, it only took the Mustangs four plays and 47 seconds to take the lead back. Billy Gannon was able to fight his way into the end zone from the one, and SMU took a 32-28 lead.
But back came Staubach, proving why he would come to be known as "Captain Comeback" during his days at the helm of the Dallas Cowboys. However, SMU's Donald Campbell and Tommy Caughran broke up two passes in the end zone in the last few seconds, and the Mustangs had their upset win.
Coach Fry was named national Coach of the Week, and the win over Navy helped propel the Mustangs into the Sun Bowl despite the fact that they finished 4-6 and tied for fifth in the Southwest Conference.
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 LAYIN' DOWN THE LAW |
Junior defensive end Justin Lawler currently ranks fifth 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 (13.0) and tackles (63). His 3.5 sacks against North Texas is tied for the fourth-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 26 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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 RICHARDSON, MILLINES, 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 or more. Horace Richardson, Darrion Millines, and Jordan Wyatt are three of only 48 players in the country with four or more INTs.
Richardson leads the squad with six interceptions and is tied for third in the FBS. He recorded two picks in week one at North Texas, one in week three vs. Liberty and one in week five at Temple. He was named AAC Defensive Player of the Week after his performance at East Carolina in week 11. The senior DB returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the Mustangs' 55-31 victory against the Pirates. The Everman, Texas, native became the first SMU player with multiple defensive TDs in a game since Alvin Nnabuife recorded two fumble returns for TDs on Nov. 13, 2004. He recorded SMU's third and fourth pick-sixes of the season (Wyatt has the other two). Richardson now has 10 INTs for his career.
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. Millines recorded his fifth pick of the season at East Carolina and has 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 INTs on the season and six in his career.
Wyatt and Richardson are two of just eight players in the country who have two INT TDs or more this year.
The Mustangs have been ballhawks this season, with six different players (Richardson (6), Millines (5), Wyatt (4), Rodney Clemons (1), Anthony Rhone (1), Zelt Minor (1)) notching interceptions. SMU is the only FBS school with three players with four or more picks in 2016.
SMU has multiple INTs in five games this season (3 at North Texas, 2 at Baylor, 4 vs. Liberty, 2 at Temple, 3 at East Carolina) and has had picks in nine out of 11 games overall.
SMU has 18 interceptions total this season, which is tied for second in the FBS, and is third in the country in takeaways with 25 (seven fumble recoveries).
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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 [11/11] 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.
At Tulane, Hicks 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 302 yards with two TDs.
At East Carolina, Hicks was 18-30 passing for 235 yards with a career-high tying three TDs with no turnovers.
Against USF, Hicks finished 25-41 passing for a career-high 380 yards with two TDs. He now has 17 passing TDs this season, which is tied for eighth in program history.
Hicks has steadily improved each week. In the last six games, he is averaging 19.6 completions per game and 262.3 yards per game. He has thrown 13 touchdowns and run for another in the stretch, scoring a 129.9 QBR.
Entering this week's game, Hicks' 2,599 yards passing ranks third among all freshman QBs in FBS and ranks 10th in program history.
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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.
The Dallas native is second on the team in receptions (51) and third in all-purpose yards (995). Proche is second on the team in receiving yards (660) and touchdowns (6).
The receiver has made his presence known as of late scoring all six of his touchdowns in five of the last seven games.
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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 TDs, 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.
He was named to the ProFootballFocus Team of the Week and earned AAC Honor Roll accolades after setting career-highs in receptions (12) and receiving yards (166) with two TDs in the Mustangs' 55-31 victory at ECU.
Against USF, Sutton put together a record performance with a school-record 252 receiving yards and two TDs on a career-high 13 receptions, again earning AAC Honor Roll accolades. It was his fifth 100-yard game of the season and eigth of his career.
Over the past two weeks, Sutton has 413 yards receiving, the most in the FBS.
On the year, Sutton has 70 receptions for 1,186 yards and his 107.8 yards per game currently ranks 10th in the country. Sutton is just the ninth Mustang to register 1,000 yards in a season which ranks third at SMU. He now has 2,075 career receiving yards which is ninth in program history and holds both the freshman and sophomore single-season receiving yards records.
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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, 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 the 26th-best rushing total in an FBS game this season and is the third-best for a player in The American. 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 yards and a TD on 22 carries to give him his second 100-yard game of the season.
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.
West had 20 carries for 104 yards at East Carolina to record his fifth 100-yard game of the season and his fourth in the past five games.
Against USF, West rushed for 120 yards on 29 carries to record his sixth 100-yard game of the season and his fifth in the past six games.
It also marked the 12th time in 23 career games that West has recorded 100+ all-purpose yards. His career high is 225 vs. Temple (11/6/15).
On the season, West has 1,069 all-purpose yards (988 rushing, 81 receiving) and is averaging 97.2 yards per game.
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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 479Â straight games.
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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                                        99.8%
3. UMass                                            98.3%
4. Alabama                                          97.4%
5. 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 96.4%
6. 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 94.6%
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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 has started 33 games at SMU and, according to ProFootballFocus grading, ranks as the No. 3 center in all of college football.
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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 THE RED CARPET |
SMU may need to install a red carpet in the Mustang locker room as SMU has become "the place to be" in Dallas.
Among the celebrities, legends, current and former pros that have attended practice or stopped by the stadium in recent years are: Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Terrell Owens, Tim Brown, Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders, as well as former SMU standouts Reggie Dupard, Eric Dickerson, Craig James, Jerry Ball, Russell Carter and Don Meredith.
Former President George W. Bush even visits SMU football practice. Bush has also performed the ceremonial coin toss at five SMU home games in the last five seasons - Navy (2011), Memphis (2012), Texas Tech (2013), Cincinnati (2014) and North Texas (2015).
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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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 IMPROVED DEFENSE |
Despite facing one of the nation's toughest schedules in 2015, facing five of the top 20 offenses in the country, the Mustang defense made strides in the second half of the year, improving total defense by more than 125 yards per game aided by a 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 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.
At East Carolina, SMU forced five turnovers (2 fumbles, 3 interceptions) in a 55-31 victory, which was the most takeaways since a SMU-record 10 takeaways in the 72-42 win vs. Houston on Nov. 18, 2012.
SMU has 18 interceptions total this season, which is tied for second in the FBS, and is third in the country in takeaways with 25 (seven fumble recoveries).
2016 Totals
439.6Â yards/game Total Defense
184.5Â yards/game Rushing Defense
255.1 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 32.7 points and 439.6 total yards (255.1 passing, 184.5 rushing). The biggest improvement has been on the ground. Last year, the 'Stangs allowed 6.9 YPC; this year, that number has improved to 4.51 YPC.
When evaluating SMU's D, one must keep in mind they have faced an average of 77.2 plays per game, the 17th-most in FBS, and while the Mustangs rank 91st in Total Defense, they're actually 65th in the country in yards per play allowed (5.7).
The Mustangs are 96th in passing yards allowed, but 54th in Yards/Att (7.03), and, more importantly, they're 52nd in Passing Efficiency Defense. According to Phil Steele's Pass Efficiency Defense Rankings, which takes opponents' passing strength into account, SMU is 38th in the country.
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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 in week eight.
Pruitt recorded five tackles, including a career-high three sacks, and a fumble recovery in the Mustangs' 38-16 victory over the Cougars. The Houston native ranks second on the team in sacks with 4.5 on the season.
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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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 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.
This year, SMU has honored Mike Ford, Jerry LeVias, Rod Jones, Michael Carter/Jim Duggan and Russell Carter.
This week, Morris bestowed that honor upon former Mustang defensive end Byron Hunt. Hunt was a four-year letterwinner (1977-80) for SMU and was named second team All-SWC in 1980.
Hunt was a ninth-round draft pick by the New York Giants in 1981 and he spent all eight seasons (1981-88) with the Giants. He won a Super Bowl with the Giants (XXI) in 1987.
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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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 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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 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).
