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Weekly Press Conference
Head Coach Chad Morris
Offensive Coordinator Joe Craddock
Defensive Coordinator Van Malone
Sophomore QB Ben Hicks
 

Sept. 25 Tempo Talk With Head Coach Chad Morris

SETTING THE SCENE
•    SMU opens American Athletic Conference play against Connecticut Saturday at Gerald J. Ford Stadium at 3 p.m.

•     The Mustangs are coming off a 44-21 win over Arkansas State at home last Saturday and are seeking their first 4-1 start since 2011. A win over UConn would give SMU its first 4-0 start at home since the same season.

•     James Proche was named to the American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll following his performance in the Mustangs' win over Arkansas State. Proche registered three catches for 131 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and also had a kickoff return for 14 yards. It was the sophomore's second-career multi-TD game and third-career game with 100+ yards.

•     The Mustangs' 311 rushing yards against Arkansas State were the second most under Chad Morris (Nov. 21, 2015 vs. Tulane) and 14th highest total posted by an FBS team in week four.

•     SMU amassed 577 yards (311 rushing, 266 rushing) in the week four win, the most since the Mustangs posted 578 against USF in 2016.

•     The Mustangs were 4-4 in the red zone against Arkansas State and are now 14-14 on the season.

•     SMU is one of 16 teams in the country to not lose a fumble, while scoring 2 defensive touchdowns.

THE SERIES
•     SMU and UConn meet for the fourth time with SMU leading the series 3-0. The Mustangs won 27-20 in Storrs in the most recent meeting in 2014, while the last meeting on the Hilltop saw SMU win 38-21 in 2013.

ABOUT THE HUSKIES
•     UConn is 1-2 this season with an 0-1 AAC record. The Huskies fell to East Carolina 41-38 last weekend to open league play.  

THE COACHES
•     Chad Morris is in his third season at the SMU helm. 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. Year two saw even more improvement, as SMU won five games and came within one win of bowl eligibility. SMU produced a 1,000-yard rusher (Braeden West 1,036) and 1,000-yard receiver (Courtland Sutton 1,246) for the first time since 2011 and had three players with at least 1,000 all-purpose yards for the first time since 2011 (Sutton, West, James Proche). Following the campaign, Justin Lawler, Darrion Millines, Horace Richardson and Sutton were named first-team All-AAC, the most Mustangs to be named first-team All-Conference since 2011. His career record stands at 10-18.

•     Randy Edsall is in his first season back at Connecticut after serving as head coach from 1999-2010. The winningest football coach in UConn history, Edsall led the Huskies to five bowl games and has a 75-72 record.

LAST TIME VS. UCONN
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- SMU quarterback Matt Davis ran for 191 yards and a touchdown and threw for another 145 yards to lead the Mustangs to their only win of the season, 27-20 over UConn on Dec. 6, 2014.

Prescott Line added 90 yards rushing and two second-half touchdowns as SMU (1-11, 1-7 American Athletic Conference) snapped a 13-game losing streak. The 191 yards rushing by Davis were a SMU school record for rushing yards in a game by a quarterback.

Freshman Ron Johnson ran for 101 yard and a touchdown for UConn (2-10, 1-7), which finishes tied with SMU for last place in the conference.

UConn led 20-6 at the half, but SMU scored 21 unanswered points after the Huskies fumbled the second half kickoff, one of five UConn turnovers.

Line scored on a 4-yard run four plays later. His 12-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter was the game winner, capping an 8-play 70 yard drive that included a 48-yard run by Davis.

Darius Joseph caught nine passes for 108 yards for SMU.

MIRACLE ON MOCKINGBIRD
The 1989 meeting holds significance in SMU football history as the "Miracle on Mockingbird". When SMU returned to the football field in 1989, critics claimed that it was going to take a miracle for Forrest Gregg and the Mustangs to win a game. UConn came to town in the second week of the season. After trailing 30-14 late in the fourth quarter, the Mustangs scored 17 points in the final five minutes to win the game, 31-30.

MAKING OUR POINT
SMU has scored 305 total points in its last seven games (43.6/game), registering at least 27 in each game. The Mustangs are averaging 48.0 points per game (T-5th nationally) in 2017 with a pair of 50+ contests to open the season. SMU was one of only three FBS teams (Maryland and Kansas State) with 50 points in each of their first two games.

This season is the first since 1928 that the Mustangs have back-to-back 50+ point games, and 192 points is the most in school history through four games.

SMU Season Scoring Average                    

--	2017	48.0
1.	1981	33.2
2.	2012	30.5
3.	2009	29.2
4.	1982	28.9
5.	2007	28.3
6.	2015	27.8
7.	2016	27.7
T8.	1978	27.1
	2006	27.1
10.	2013	26.8

SMU Season Total Offense - Yards Per Game

--	2017	499.5
1.	2013	435.2
2.	2016	427.3
3.	2007	422.3
4.	2010	414.6
5.	1968	394.0
6.	2009	391.8
7.	1981	391.5
8.	2011	388.6
9.	1978	383.8
10.	2015	382.8

'CAUSE WE'RE TNT
SMU ranks among the nation's best when it comes to explosive plays from scrimmage:
 

Plays	Yards	Nat. Ranking
28	20+	T7th
18	30+	T2nd
11	40+	T3rd
7	50+	T1st
4	60+	T6th

Passing Only

Plays	Yards	Nat. Ranking
21	20+	T7th
13	30+	T2nd
8	40+	T5th
6	50+	T1st
4	60+	T2nd

WE'RE ON THE WAY UP
The Mustangs have improved in all of the following offensive categories each season since 2014.
 

Year	PPG	Passing	Rushing	YBC	Total Off.
2014	11.1	169.7	100.3	3.3	269.0
2015	27.8	218.3	165.5	3.9	383.8
2016	27.7	264.0	163.3	4.1	427.3
2017	48.0	305.3	194.3	4.7	499.5

WHAT A RUSH
The Mustangs' 311 rushing yards against Arkansas State were the second most under Chad Morris (Nov. 21, 2015 vs. Tulane) and 13th highest total posted by an FBS team in week four. The 54 attempts is the most since SMU registered 58 attempts against Tulsa in 2003, and equals the output in Morris' first game in 2015 against Baylor.

Under Morris, the Mustangs have rushed for 200+ yards in nine of 28 games, while only doing so 18 other times since 2000. SMU is 7-2 under Morris when they rush for 200+ yards, including six straight.

Three Mustangs have rushed for 100+ yards this season with Xavier Jones leading the group at 296 (Freeman, 243 & West, 181). Freeman has a team-best five rushing touchdowns.

ALL OF A SUTTON
Preseason Heisman Trophy candidate and All-America selection Courtland Sutton returns for his junior season on the Hilltop. Sutton was named to the Biletnikoff and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Preseason Watch Lists, and was a first-team All-AAC selection by multiple outlets.

Sutton had a career-high four touchdown receptions, setting an AAC record and tying the school record (Emanuel Tolbert at Baylor, Oct. 14, 1978) in game two versus UNT. The total is also the most by an FBS player in a game this season and gave Sutton his fifth-straight game with at least one touchdown catch. Sutton finished with eight catches for 163 yards. In week four against Arkansas State, Sutton registered 32 yards on a pair of catches and posted his first-career rushing touchdown.

Sutton is ranked 5th in the nation in receiving touchdowns (5) and ranks among active FBS career leaders in reception yards (9th, 2,352) and reception touchdowns (2nd, 24). His four touchdowns against UNT are the most by an FBS player in a game this season.

Sutton earned first-team All-AAC honors in 2016 after a standout season that included setting SMU's single-game record for receiving yards (252), as well as the sophomore record for receiving yards in a season (1,246). In 12 games, the wide receiver led the team in receptions (76), receiving yards (1,246) and receiving touchdowns (10). Sutton finished among the nation's top-20 in receiving yards per game, receiving yards and receptions per game. He became just the ninth Mustang to register 1,000 yards in a season, placing himself third on SMU's all-time list, and ranks ninth in school history with 2,135 receiving yards and sixth with 19 receiving touchdowns. 

The Brenham, Texas, native has collected a long list of preseason awards including All-America recognition from the Associated Press (2nd Team), USA Today (2nd Team), College Football News (1st Team), CBS Sports (1st Team) and Sports Illustrated (2nd Team). 

He was selected No. 18 on SI College Football's Freaks List and No. 28 on its Top 100 Players of 2017 preseason list, and is the No. 11 player on Dave Campbell's Texas Football 50 Most Import College Football Players in Texas preseason list. College Football 24/7 lists him No. 1 on their Top Wide Receivers to Watch in 2017 list. 

SMU Career Receiving Touchdowns

1.    Emmanuel Sanders, 2006-09	34
2.    Aldrick Robinson, 2007-10	30
3.    Emanuel Tolbert, 1976-79	25
4.    Courtland Sutton, 2014-	24
5.    Jerry Le'Vias, 1966-68	22

SMU Season Receiving Touchdowns

1.    Aldrick Robinson, 2010 (Sr.)	14
2.    Emmanuel Tolbert, 1978 (Jr.)         Aldrick Robinson, 2008 (So.)	11 11
4.    Courtland Sutton, 2016 (So.)        Zack Sledge, 2007 (Sr.)	10 10
T6.  Courtland Sutton, 2015 (Fr.)         Emmanuel Sanders, 2006 (Fr.)          Emmanuel Sanders, 2007 (So.)          Emmanuel Sanders, 2008 (Jr.)         Keenan Holman, 2013 (Sr.)	9 9 9 9 9

SMU Single-Game Receiving Touchdowns

T1.     Emmanuel Tolbert, at Baylor, 1978              Courtland Sutton, vs. North Texas, 2017	4 4
T2.     Courtland Sutton, at North Texas, 2016	3

SMU Career Receiving Yards

1.    Emmanuel Sanders, 2006-09	3,791
2.    Aldrick Robinson, 2007-10	3,314
3.    Cole Beasley, 2008-11	2,959
4.    Darius Johnson, 2009-12	2,854
5.    Emmanuel Tolbert, 1976-79	2,784
6.    Ron Morris, 1983-86	2,410
7.    Courtland Sutton, 2014	2,352
8.    Jerry LeVias, 1966-68	2,275

 
SMU Consecutive Games With A Receiving Touchdown

1.    Aldrick Robinson, 2010	8
2.    Emmanuel Sanderson	6
T3.  Aldrick Robinson, 2008        Courtland Sutton, 2016	5 5
T5.  Emanuel Tolbert, 1977         Jerry LeVias, 1966        Courtland Sutton, 2015	4 4 4

FBS Consecutive Games with a Reception

1.    Allen Lazard, Iowa State	38
2.    James Washington, Oklahoma State	36
3.    Calvin Ridley, Alabama	34
T4.  Ryan Yurachek, Marshall	32
Jaylen Samuels, N.C. State	32
6.     Phil Mayhue, Memphis	31
7.    Richie James, Middle Tennessee	30
T8.  Jonathan Duhart, Old Dominion	29
Cody Thompson, Toledo	29
10.  Courtland Sutton, SMU	28
Jamire Jordan, Fresno State         Anthony Miller, Memphis	28 28

FBS Active Career Reception TDs

1.    James Washington , Oklahoma St.	30
2.    Courtland Sutton, SMU	24
T3.  Richie James, Middle Tenn.        Anthony Miller, Memphis	23 23

FBS Active Career Reception Yards

1.    James Washington, Oklahoma St.	3443
2.    Richie James, Middle Tenn.	3177
3.    Devonte Boyd , UNLV	2886
5.    Cody Thompson, Toledo	2633
4.    Allen Lazard, Iowa St.	2597
6.    Cam Phillips, Virginia Tech	2586
7.    Darren Carrington, Utah	2404
8.    Anthony Miller, Memphis	2383
9.    Courtland Sutton, SMU	2352

FBS Active Career Yards Per Catch

1.    James Washington, Oklahoma State	20.2
2.    Cody Thompson, Toledo	19.9
3.    Darren Carrington, Utah	16.9
4.    Courtland Sutton, SMU	16.8

LAYIN' DOWN THE LAW
Senior defensive end Justin Lawler started 2017 with an impressive list of preseason honors, including spots on the Chuck Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski and Wuerffel Trophy Preseason Watch Lists. He's also a nominee for the AFCA Good Works Team and was honored as a first-team All-AAC selection by Athlon Sports and College Football News.

Lawler started 2017 with four tackles (3 solo, 1 asst)  and a quarterback hurry against Stephen F. Austin. He impressed in week two with seven tackles, two sacks, three TFLs and a forced fumble against UNT and was named to the AAC honor roll and was part of the Pro Football Focus National Team of the Week.

In week three at TCU, Lawler tied a career-high with nine tackles, and went on to add three with a pass breakup and three QB hurries against Arkansas State.

Lawler earned first-team All-AAC honors in 2016, making him the first Mustang defensive lineman to do so since Margus Hunt in 2012. He started all 12 games at defensive end, finishing second on the team with 65 tackles, while adding seven quarterback hurries, two blocked field goals and a fumble recovery.

The senior was just one of 34 players in the FBS with 2 or more blocked kicks in 2016, giving him more blocked kicks that 54 FBS teams.

EVEN EVAN
For the second straight season, Evan Brown was named to the Rimington Trophy Preseason Watch List. The award is given annually to the top center in FBS college football.

Brown was the seventh-highest-graded center in all of college football in 2016 and allowed only two sacks, one hit and six quarterback hurries in 2016. Brown has started 38 games played at SMU and adds on a spot on the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List to his resume in 2017. 

BIG BEN
Ben Hicks opened the 2017 season 9-of-19 passing for 112 yards and two touchdowns against SFA. In week 2, Hicks connected with Courtland Sutton for four scores, a career-high, and registered 312 yards. It was his fourth-career game with 300+ passing yards and his four touchdowns were the most in a game since Garrett Gilbert had four against Connecticut in 2013. 

Hicks continues to climb SMU's all-time passing yards list and now ranks 10th with 3,925, and has five 300+ yard career games, including four of the last six contests.

The sophomore is 19-for-41 in third-down situations with 426 yards (4th nationally) and 16 first downs (16th nationally). Hicks has the 7th highest yards per completion in FBS at 16.1 yards.

Hicks had a successful 2016 season in which he registered 2,930 yards on 234 attempts with 19 passing touchdowns. At the conclusion of the season, he was named an Honorable Mention Freshman All-American.

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. 

SMU Career Passing Yards

1. Chuck Hixson, 1968-70	7179
2. Garrett Gilbert, 2012-13	6460
3. Mike Ford, 1977-80	6239
4. Mike Romo, 1989-92	6041
5. Kyle Padron, 2009-11	5902
6. Ramon Flanigan, 1992-97	5640
7. Justin Willis, 2006-09	4991
8. Bo Levi Mitchell, 2008-09	4590
9. Josh McCown, 1998-00	4019
10. Ben Hicks, 2016-	3925

SMU Season Passing Yards

1.    Kyle Padron, 2010	3828
2.    Garrett Gilbert, 2013	3528
3.    J.J. McDermott, 2011	3421
4.    Chuck Hixson, 1968	3103
5.    Mike Ford, 1978	3007
6.    Justin Willis, 2007	2944
7.    Garrett Gilbert, 2012	2932
8.    Ben Hicks, 2016	2930

SMU Season Completions

1.    Garrett Gilbert, 2013	335
2.    Kyle Padron, 2010	302
3.    Mike Romo, 1989	282
4.    J.J. McDermott, 2011	272
5.    Garrett Gilbert, 2012	268
6.    Chuck Hixon, 1968	265
7.    Mike Romo, 1990	250
8.    Justin Willis, 2007	242
9.    Bo Levi Mitchell, 2008	236
10.   Ben Hicks, 2016	234

SMU Season Touchdowns Passes

1.    Kyle Padron, 2010	31
2.    Justin Willis, 2006	26
3.    Justin Willis, 2007	25
4.    Bo Levi Mitchell, 2008	24
5.    Chuck Hixon, 1968	21
Garrett Gilbert, 2013	21
7.    Mike Romo, 1990	19
Ben Hicks, 2016	19

SMU 300-yard Passing Games

1.    Garrett Gilbert, 2012-13	9
T2.  Chuck Hixson, 1968-70	8
Kyle Padron, 2009-11	8
T4.   Mike Romo, 1989-92	6
Bo Levi Mitchell, 2008-09	6
6.     Ben Hicks, 2016-	5
T7.   Dan Freiburger, 1989-92	4
Josh McCown, 1998-00	4
Mike Ford, 1977-80	4
Justin Willis, 2006-08	4
J.J. McDermott, 2010-11	4

FBS Active Sophomore Career Yards

1.    Sam Darnold, USC	4311
2.    Ben Hicks, SMU	3952
3.    Daniel Jones, Duke	3740

FBS Active Sophomore Career Touchdowns

1.   Sam Darnold, USC	40
2. Ben Hicks, SMU	29

2016 FBS Freshman Passing Yards Per Game

1.    Deondre Francois, FSU	257.7
2.    Shane Buechele, Texas	246.5
3.    Ben Hicks, SMU	244.2
4.    Sam Darnold, USC	237.4

BACK AT IT
Jordan Wyatt is the lone returning member of SMU's backfield that finished 2016 as the only team in the country with three players registering four interceptions. Wyatt, Horace Richardson and Darrion Millines were also three of only 68 players in the country with four or more INTs.

Wyatt wasted no time getting started in 2017 as he earned AAC Defensive Player of the Week and Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honors for week one. Wyatt posted an 85-yard interception return for a touchdown and recovered a fumble for a touchdown in the end zone, making him just the sixth player in FBS history to record both in the same game. The interception return is the seventh longest in SMU history, and the longest since 1984. His play earned him a spot on the Nagurski Watch List.

In the week 2 win over North Texas, Wyatt registered three tackles, and added six with a pass breakup at TCU in week three. In week four against Arkansas State, Wyatt had an interception return for 25 yards, moving him up to second on SMU's all-time list with 233 career interception yards. He also added six tackles.

He now has four defensive touchdowns for his career (3 INT, 1 fumble), and is one of only four FBS players, including Mustang alum Horace Richardson, who have two defensive touchdowns in a game in the last two seasons. 

Wyatt's four defensive touchdowns tie him for the active career lead in FBS, and put him tied atop SMU's list with Mustangs David Hill and Ja'Gared Davis. His 208 career interception returns yards are the fifth most all-time at SMU. He is also one of only two FBS defensive players this season with two touchdowns.

FBS Active Defensive Return TDs

T1.	Jordan Wyatt, SMU    4
	Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama    4
	Darius Phillips, Western Michigan    4

 

SMU Career INT Return TDs	TDs	INT
1.      David Hill, 1975-78	4	13
T2.   John Simmons, 1977-80         Horace Richardson, 2012-16         Jordan Wyatt	3 3 3	17 10 7

SMU Career Defensive Return TDs

T1.   David Hill, 1975-78 (4 INT)	4
Ja'Gared Davis, 2009-1012 (3 FR, INT)	4
Jordan Wyatt, 2015- (3 INT, FR)	4

SMU Longest Interception Returns

T1.   Reggie Phillips at Louisville, 1984	100t
Putt Choate vs. Tulane, 1997	100t
Charles Jackson vs. Rice, 1957	100t
T4.   Tirey Wilemon vs. Navy, 1959	95t
Hubert Walling vs. Okla. A&M, 1922	95t
6.     Allen Rowson vs. LSU, 1922	90t
7.     Jordan Wyatt vs. SFA, 2017	85t

SMU Career Interception Yards

1.    Horace Richardson, 2012-16	234
2.    Jordan Wyatt, 2015-	233
3.    Wes Hopkins, 1979-82	231

FORGOT ABOUT TREY
It seems in focusing on All-American Courtland Sutton, opposing defenses forgot about Parade All-American Trey Quinn. In his first game on the Hilltop, the junior transfer led the Mustangs with four catches for 53 yards, and one of SMU's three receiving touchdowns.

Quinn increased his productivity in week two, recording a career-high six receptions for 96 yards. Game three at TCU saw Quinn lead the Mustang receivers with career-highs in receptions (7) and yards (116). Quinn added a pair of touchdowns and was 1-for-1 passing for 34 yards.

Quinn spent two seasons at LSU where he played 25 games with nine starts, registering 22 catches for 276 yards.

C'MON KE'MON
Sophomore Ke'Mon Freeman posted back-to-back multi-touchdown games in weeks three and four this season. In week three against TCU, Freeman rushed for 57 yards on 12 attempts with two touchdowns, and followed it up with a 92-yard two touchdown performance against Arkansas State. Freeman has 243 yards on a team-high 55 attempts this season. His five rushing touchdowns are also an SMU-best in 2017.

BIG GAME JAMES
Freshman All-America Honorable Mention selection James Proche is back for his sophomore season after finishing second on the team in receptions (571) and third in all-purpose yards (1,044). Proche was second on the team in receiving yards (709) and touchdowns (6).

Leading up to week four, Proche recorded 152 yards off seven receptions and has one touchdown, a career-long 61-yard reception at TCU. Proche went on to register three catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns in week four against Arkansas State, giving him his second career multi-TD game and third career 100+ yard game. He was named to the AAC Weekly Honor Roll. 

GO WEST, YOUNG MAN
Running back Braeden West opened 2017 on the Doak Walker and Paul Hornung Award Watch Lists. West posted 86 yards on six carries in week one versus SFA.

In week three, West returned to action, registering 32 yards on eight carries and 70 yards on three catches. The 102 all-purpose yards gave West his 13th career game with 100+ all-purpose yards. Week four saw West post 90 all-purpose yards on 63 rushing and 27 receiving.

In all, 59.3% of West's rushes pick up five yards or more, the seventh-highest mark for any running back with at least 15 carries on the season.

In 12 games last season, West finished with 202 carries and six rushing touchdowns as the Mustangs' primary ball carrier, and was one of three Mustangs (James Proche and Courtland Sutton) with at least 1,000 all-purpose yards after finishing with 1,128 total yards (1,036 rushing and 92 receiving). West had 15 receptions and registered six games with 100+ all-purpose yards, bringing his season total to 1,036 rushing, 14th at SMU in a single-season.

SMU Single-Game Rushing Yards

1.    Mike Richardson, 11/9/1968 vs. Texas A&M	39-244-3
2.    ShanDerrick Charles, 10/13/2001 at San Jose St.	27-243-1
3.    Eric Dickerson, 10/16/1982 vs. Houston	27-241-1
4.    Craig James, 12/19/1980 vs. BYU	23-225-2
5.    Braeden West, 9/17/2016 vs. Liberty	24-220-2

SMU Single-Game KO Return Yards

1.    Deion Sanders, Jr. at UCF, 2014	203
2.    Jonas Rutledge vs. UTEP, 2003	190
3.    Rodnick Phillips at Wyoming, 1996	186
4.    Jessie Henderson vs. Houston, 2008	181
5.    Braeden West, Temple 11/6/2015	180

X GON' GIVE IT TO YA
After missing most of the 2016 season due to injury, Xavier Jones returned in 2017. Jones was named a preseason candidate for the 2016 Doak Walker Award.

In week four against Arkansas State, Jones posted a season-high 146 yards on 19 carries. He now has 13 touchdowns in 18 career games, and four multi-TD games.

The Spring, Texas, native had a standout first season on the Hilltop, setting an SMU freshman record for rushing touchdowns (10), surpassing SMU greats Eric Dickerson and Zach Line, and finishing as the Mustangs' second-leading rusher with 634 yards in 2015.

In the 2016 season opener at UNT, Jones ran for over 100 yards for the second time in his last three games (dating back to 2015), and his 10.5 YPC was the seventh-best mark of any FBS ball carrier. He also scored SMU's first TD of the season on a 49-yard run.

Jones missed three straight games (Baylor, Liberty, TCU) with a hamstring injury, but returned against Temple to record 25 yards on four carries, but left the game with a shoulder injury and missed the remainder of the season.

Most Rushing TDs By An SMU Freshman

1.    Xavier Jones, 2015	10
2.    Jeff Atkins, 1983	7
ShanDerrick Charles, 2001	7
DeMyron Martin, 2005	7
Zach Line, 2009	7

IMPROVED DEFENSE
Since the start of the 2016 season, the Mustangs are tied for fourth nationally with five interception touchdowns and are one of only three FBS teams (Michigan & Duke) in 2017 with multiple defensive touchdowns and a safety this season. The four fumble recoveries by SMU at TCU were the most since the 27-20 win at Connecticut on Dec. 4, 2014.

The Mustangs are tied for fourth nationally in turnover margin, 16th in turnovers and 8th in points off turnovers.

SMU has 10 takeaways (6 fumbles, 4 interceptions) this season, and are +7 on the season. Saturday's game against Arkansas State was the second time this season SMU did not commit a turnover (SFA 9/2). Kyran Mitchell leads the team with a pair of fumble recoveries, while Jordan Wyatt has a team-high two interceptions.

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.
Senior defensive end Nick Horton was awarded the number again in 2017.

Players To Wear #23 In Honor of Jerry LeVias
Nick Horton, DE    2016-17
Jeremiah Gaines, TE    2015
Stephon Sanders, LB    2012-14
Chris Banjo, DB    2009

WE'RE BACK!
The Mustangs rank fourth nationally in yards returning with 94.8%

1.    Troy    98.7%
2.    Florida Atlantic    96.2%
3.    Wake Forest    95.9%
4.    SMU    94.8%

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 485 straight games.

NATIONAL NEWCOMERS
SMU was the only team in the country with a passer, rusher and receiver ranked among the top 10 for freshmen in yards per game.

Ben Hicks, QB    244.2 (3rd)
Ke'Mon Freeman, RB    54.2 (10th)
James Proche, WR    59.1 (7th)

KEEPING IT TEXAS
This year, the Mustangs will play all four non-conference games in the state of Texas. The last time SMU played a non-conference game outside of the state of Texas was in 2010 facing Navy in Maryland when the Midshipmen were independent, prior to joining the AAC. SMU will face Arkansas State this year in Dallas as their first non-Texan out of conference opponent since Navy. Next season, the Mustangs are scheduled to face Michigan on the road which will break their 7+ year streak of playing just non-conference games in Texas.

HOME ON THE HILLTOP
The Mustangs play four games at home in the month of September. SMU joins only six other FBS teams to do so (Missouri, Penn State, Michigan State, Rutgers, Washington and Wyoming). 

CON-GRAD-ULATIONS
The 2017 SMU roster features nine student-athletes who have already earned a degree, giving them one of the highest totals in the country. Evan Brown, Raymond Epps, Mason Gentry, Will Hopkins, Nick Horton, Cedric Lancaster, Justin Lawler, Dimarya Mixon and Anthony Rhone have all earned their degrees.
 

1.       Northwestern	18
2.       Coastal Carolina	17
3.       ECU, Cincinnati	14
5.       Toledo	13
6.       TCU, Alabama, Oregon	12
9.       Kansas State, Maryland, USF, Georgia State, UCF, Virginia	11
15.      Kent State, Nevada, New Mexico,  South Alabama, Texas Tech, West Virginia	10
21.      SMU, Houston, Iowa State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rutgers, Temple	9

      
SMU IN THE CLASSROOM
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 has set multiple term and cumulative GPA records since Morris' arrival on the Hilltop in 2014.

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 games against Navy (2011), Memphis (2012), Texas Tech (2013), Cincinnati (2014) and North Texas (2015).

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. After the win over then No. 11 Houston, SMU also received a vote in the AP Poll in 2016.

CALLS FORM THE HALLS
SMU boasts nine members of the College Football Hall of Fame and five that are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. With five Pro Football Hall of Famers, SMU ranks 11th among all schools.

College Football Hall of Fame
Name    Year Inducted
Ray Morrison, Coach (1915-16, 1922-34)    1954
Matty Bell, Coach (1935-41, 1945-49)    1955
Doak Walker, RB (1945, 1947-49)    1959
Kyle Rote, RB (1948-50)    1964
Gerald Mann, QB (1926-27)    1969
Bobby Wilson, RB (1933-35)    1973
Don Meredith, QB (1957-59)    1982
Jerry LeVias, WR (1966-68)    2003
Hayden Fry, Coach (1962-72)    2003

Pro Football Hall of Fame
Name    Year Inducted
Lamar Hunt    1972
Raymond Berry    1973
Forrest Gregg    1977
Doak Walker    1986
Eric Dickerson    1993

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. Morris has bestowed the honor upon Chris Bordano for Saturday's game.
As a sophomore, he became the starter at middle linebacker and was considered the best player on the defense. In 1995, he was injured during fall drills and was lost for the season. The next year, he returned to lead his team and rank fifth in tackles in the Western Athletic Conference. In 1997, he led the team with 120 tackles and was named the Western Athletic Conference Mountain Division Defensive Player of the Year. He left ranked fifth in the SMU's career tackles list (420) and became just the tenth player in school history to be named to three All-conference teams. Bordano was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round (194th overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft, and in 2000, he was signed as a free agent by the Atlanta Falcons.  
Tentative Schedule (subject to change)
Sept. 2    Jerry Ball
Sept. 9    Craig Swann
Sept. 23    Clark Hunt
Sept. 30    Chris Bordano
Oct. 27    Donald Mitchell
Nov. 4    Eric Dickerson
Nov. 25    Terrence Mann

THREE-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPS
SMU is one of just 26 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. The NCAA recognizes three SMU teams as National Champions: 1935 (Dickinson & Houlgate), 1981 (National Championship Foundation) & 1982 (Helms Athletic Foundation).

PREP PREPAREDNESS
SMU Head Coach Chad Morris is one of 18 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. 

A complete alphabetical list follows:

Name (College)	Last HS
Tom Allen (Indiana)	2004-06 Ben Davis (Ind.)
Steve Addazio (Boston College)	1988-94 Cheshire (Conn.)
Gary Anderson (Oregon State)	1994 Park City (Utah)
David Beaty (Kansas)	2001-05 Irving McArthur (Texas)
Chris Creigthton (EMU)	1997-2000 Ottawa (Kan.)
David Cutcliffe (Duke)	1980-81 Banks (Ala.)
Butch Davis (FIU)	1978 Will Rogers (Okla.)
Todd Graham (Arizona State)	1994-00 Allen (Texas)
Mike Jinks (Bowling Green)	2005-12 Steele (Texas)
Joey Jones (South Alabama)	1991-2005 Mountain Brook (Ala.)
Guz Malzahn (Auburn)	1992-2005 Springdale (Ark.)
Jeff Monken (Army)	1995 Morton (Ill.)
Chad Morris (SMU)	1994-2009 Lake Travis (Texas)
Barry Odom (Missouri)	2001-02 Rock Bridge (Mo.)
Tony Sanchez (UNLV)	2004-14 Bishop Gorman (Nev.)
Frank Solich (Ohio)	1966-78 Lincoln Southeast (Neb.)
Matt Viator (UL Monroe)	1989-99 Sulphur (La.)
Frank Wilson (UTSA)	2000-03 O.P. Walker (La.)

   
PONY UP-GRADES!
SMU has made significant investments 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 counter tops. In 2015, SMU updated its football offices and team areas, installing new graphics and displays. Last, SMU replaced the synthetic turf playing field at Ford Stadium.

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.

TEMPO TALK
Chad Morris joins Mustang fans for Tempo Talk on Mondays at Ozona, located at 4615 Greenville Ave. Rich Phillips, the voice of the Mustangs, will host the event live from 7-8 PM on KAAM 770 AM radio every Monday night starting Aug. 28th. There will be food and drinks specials, trivia and prizes on site each week.

Shows will air on the following dates:
Monday, October 2
Monday, October 16
Monday, October 23
Monday, October 30
Monday, November 6
Monday, November 13
Monday, November 20

    Please note that there is no show on Monday, October 9th, as it is SMU's off week.

FORD FILLED
SMU has sold out Ford Stadium ten times since it opened on Sept. 2, 2000. Seven of those sellouts have come since 2009, including the 2015 season opener vs. Baylor.

Ford Stadium Sellouts
Game    Total Attendance
1.    vs. Army, 12-30-2010     36,742
2.    vs. TCU, 9-24-2010     35,481
3.    vs. Texas A&M, 9-20-2014    34,820
4.    vs. Texas Tech, 8-30-2013     34,790
5.    vs. Stephen F. Austin, 9-5-2009    34,749
6.    vs. Texas Tech, 9-4-2004     34,689
7.    vs. Kansas, 9-2-2000     32,267
8.    vs. Baylor, 9-4-2015     32,047
9.    vs. Texas A&M, 9-15-2012     32,016
10.  vs. Texas Tech, 9-7-2002     32,000

SIGNAL CALLERS GET THE CALL
When the St. Louis Rams selected SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, he became the eighth quarterback drafted into the NFL in program history.

SMU Quarterbacks Drafted Into The NFL
Player    Team (Round Selected)    Year
Garrett Gilbert    St. Louis Rams (6th)    2014
Mike Ford    Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9th)    1981
Keith Bobo    Dallas Cowboys (12th)    1974
Chuck Hixson    Kansas City Chiefs (13th)    1971
Mike Livingston    Kansas City Chiefs (2nd)    1968
Don Meredith    Chicago Bears (3rd)    1960
John Roach    Chicago Cardinals (3rd)    1956
Gil Johnson    Philadelphia Eagles (11th)    1948