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It's Always Sonny on the Hilltop

Gameday Central
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SETTING THE SCENE

•    No. 16 SMU hosts No. 9 Cincinnati in a Homecoming match-up on Saturday at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.

•     Following a 37-34 overtime win at Tulane, SMU moved up to No. 16 in both polls. 

•     This will be the first AP Top-25 match-up in Ford Stadium. SMU was ranked 19/19 when it hosted Temple in 2019, which was receiving votes in the AP poll and ranked 25th in the Coaches Poll. This will be the fourth top-10 team to visit Ford Stadium (No. 4 TCU, 2010; No. 4 Baylor, 2015; No. 6 Texas A&M, 2014).

•     SMU is 5-0 for the second straight season after starting 8-0 in 2019, and is 15-3 in its last 18 games. The Mustangs are looking to start 6-0 in consecutive seasons for the first time since back-to-back National Championship seasons in 1981 and 1982.

•     Chris Naggar was named the American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for the fourth time this season, while Shane Buechele was named to the Weekly Honor Roll. Naggar hit the game-winning field goal (34 yards) in overtime against Tulane and also connected on FGs of 48 and 33 yards, while going a perfect 4-4 on PATs. Buechele was 23-37 for 384 yards with a pair of TDs in the win. Danny Gray picked up honorable mention accolades from the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award.

•     Ulysses Bentley IV leads the Mustangs with 506 rushing yards and eight touchdowns through the first five games of 2020 and was named to the FWAA Freshman All-American, Doak Walker and CFPA Watch Lists.   

THE SERIES
This is the fifth meeting between SMU and Cincinnati, with the Bearcats holding the 3-1 all-time advantage. The Mustangs' last win came in 2017, a 31-28 overtime victory on the road. The last two meetings were decided in overtime, with Cincinnati winning, 26-20, in Dallas in 2018.

ABOUT THE BEARCATS
No. 9/10 Cincinnati is 3-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play heading into Saturday's game. The Bearcats have a top-25 win over Army and defeated USF in their only AAC game this season. The Bearcats' game at Tulsa last week was postponed due to positive COVID-19 cases.

THE COACHES
•    Sonny Dykes is in his third year on the Hilltop and is 20-11 as head coach of the Mustangs. In 2019, Dykes led SMU to an historic season that saw the Mustangs go 10-3, winning the most games since 1984 and earning their highest national ranking (15/14) since 1985. He was named one of nine finalists for the 2019 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award by the FWAA and one of 10 finalists for the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award. He was also a semifinalist for the George Munger Coach of the Year Award and was on the watch list for the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year Award. Prior to his time at SMU, Dykes spent four seasons at Cal (2013-16) and three seasons at Louisiana Tech (2010-12). Dykes' career record stands at 61-56.

•    Luke Fickell is in his fourth season as head coach at Cincinnati and is 29-13 with the Bearcats. The 2018 American Athletic Conference Coaches of the Year has led Cincinnati to back-to-back 11 win seasons 2018 and 2019. He is 35-20 in five seasons as a head coach.

QUICK HITS
•     The Mustangs currently rank fourth nationally in total offense (563.2), fifth in passing offense (359.2), sixth in total first downs (129) and seventh in scoring offense (42.6).

•     SMU had 3 100-yard receivers in last week's win over Tulane (Rice 139, Gray 133, Page 101).

•     Sonny Dykes (20-11) is the fourth Mustang head coach to win 20 games in his first three seasons at the helm of the program (Matty Bell, Ray Morrison & Bobby Collins).

•     Ulysses Bentley IV ranks in the top 10 nationally in rushing TDs (2nd, 8), total TDs, (4th, 8), rushing yards (6th, 506) and yards per carry (8th, 6.84).

•     Shane Buechele is second nationally in passing yards (1,710), fifth in passing yards/game (342.0) and seventh in passing TDs (12) and total offense (349.8). 

•     Brandon Crossley has had an interception in three straight games and is tied for the national lead (3).

•     SMU's defense ranks in the top-10 nationally in passes intercepted (7th, 6), fumbles recovered (9th, 4) and turnovers gained (9th, 10). 

•     The Mustangs sold out their first two home games, announcing an attendance of 7,898. Gerald J. Ford Stadium is at 25% capacity of its 32,000 for 2020.

LAST TIME VS. CINCINNATI
DALLAS (AP) -- James Wiggins returned an interception 86 yards for a touchdown in overtime, giving Cincinnati a 26-20 win over Southern Methodist on Oct. 27, 2018.

SMU's Ben Hicks threw over the middle early in overtime and Wiggins stepped in front of the intended receiver for the interception, then ran 86 yards untouched for the winning score.

Cincinnati trailed 20-17 when Cole Smith booted a 41-yard field goal as regulation expired, forcing the overtime.

Desmond Ridder had 352 yards and two touchdowns passing for the Bearcats (7-1, 3-1 American Athletic Association). Khalil Lewis caught both scores and had 174 yards receiving.

Ridder capped the first drive of the game with a 32-yard touchdown pass to Lewis who had to fully extend himself in stride to make the catch.

The Bearcats went on to lead 17-14 at halftime but fell behind 20-17 in the fourth quarter on a pair of Kevin Robledo field goals.

Hicks finished with 328 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns for the Mustangs (3-5, 2-2).

HOT START
The Mustangs have been leading or tied after the first quarter in 16 of the past 17 games, and are outscoring opponents 70-10 after the first 15 minutes. SMU has also been leading or tied at halftime in 14 of the past 17. The Mustangs only trailed for the first time in last week's game at Tulane.

SMU open the 2019 season 8-0 for the first time since 1982, and outscored opponents 86-20, while outgaining them 1,165-462 (145.66-57.75) in the first quarter. At the half, SMU outscored opponents 176-86 and outgained them 2,155-1,253 (269.38-156.63).

WATCH US
Seven Mustangs are on national Watch Lists for the 2020 season:
Alan Ali | Rimington Trophy 
Ulysses Bentley IV | FWAA Freshman All-American, Doak Walker, CFPA
Shane Buechele | Maxwell Award, Davey O'Brien Award, Manning Award, Wuerffel Trophy, CFPA, Golden Arm Award, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award
Kylen Granson | Biletnikoff Award, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award
Tyler Page | William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
Reggie Roberson, Jr. | Maxwell Award, Biletnikoff Award, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award
Jaylon Thomas | Outland Trophy

500 CLUB
SMU registered 581 yards of total offense (439 passing, 142 rushing) in the win over Tulane, marking the fourth time this season and 10th time in the past 18 games with at least 500 yards.

2020 Totals Over 500
Tulane - 581 yards (439 passing, 142 rushing)
No. 25/24 Memphis - 549 yards (474 passing, 75 rushing)
North Texas - 710 yards (344 passing, 366 rushing) Second most in a game at SMU
Texas State - 544 yards (367 passing, 177 rushing)

SEEING RED
The Mustangs are 26-28 (93%) on the season (19 TDs, 7 FGs) in the red zone after going 5-5 at Tulane. SMU has been perfect three times this season (8-8 at UNT, 6-6 vs. SFA) after going perfect three times in 2019 (at USF, 5-5; at Memphis, 5-5; ECU 4-4). The 8-8 at North Texas was the most since going 7-7 at UConn in 2018. 

TEAM LEADERS
Shane Buechele, Reggie Roberson, Jr., Hayden Howerton, Delano Robinson and Brandon Stephens were selected by their teammates as captains for the 2020 season.

FOR THE RECORD
The Mustangs set season records in scoring (544), scoring average (41.8), total yards (6,368), total yards per game (489.8), total plays (1,037), rushing TDS (35), total first downs (322) and total TDs (73), while tying the passing TDs record (35). On defense they set records for sacks (51) and TFLs (111).

STREAKING
With the win over No. 25 TCU in 2019, SMU had its first five-game non-conference winning streak since 1984-85. The 1984 season was also the last time SMU went perfect in regular season, non-conference action and 1950 was the last time the Mustangs went 4-0 or better in regular season, non-conference action. The Mustangs' eight-game win streak to start the season was the longest since SMU won 10 straight in 1982. SMU's win over SFA brought the regular-season, non-conference win streak to eight straight, the most since a streak of 17 from 1979-85.

HOME SWEET HOME
The Mustangs finished the 2019 season 6-0 at home, posting a perfect record at home for the first time since going 4-0 in 1968 when games were played at the Cotton Bowl. The Mustangs last went perfect on campus in 1939 when they were 5-0. SMU last won six games at home in 2017, finishing 6-1 overall.

SMU opened 2-0 at home in 2020 and announced back-to-back sellouts of 7,898 in games against SFA and Memphis. The Mustangs have now won eight consecutive home games.

WHAT A RUSH
SMU set the single-season rushing touchdown record in 2019 with 35 and has 14 in 2020. Ulysses Bentley IV leads the way with eight, while five different Mustangs account for the others. Ulysses Bentley IV ranks in the top 10 nationally in rushing TDs (2nd, 8), total TDs, (4th, 8), rushing yards (6th, 506) and yards per carry (8th, 6.84).

Against UNT, Bentley IV posted the fourth-best, single-game rushing yardage performance in SMU history with 227 yards off 19 carries with three touchdowns.

The Mustangs had a pair of 100-yard rushers against SFA as TJ McDaniel joined Bentley IV with 104 yards. SMU also had five total rushing TDs with Danny Gray, Terrance Gipson and TaMerik Williams all posting their first career rushing TDs.

CONSISTENCY IS KEY
The Mustangs returned four offensive linemen who started at least 12 each games in 2019 in Jaylon Thomas, Hayden Howerton, Alan Ali and Beau Morris. Senior Cobe Bryant also started six games for the Mustangs a season ago. The line helped the SMU offense to national rankings of seventh in scoring offense (41.8), ninth in total offense (489.8) and 13th in passing offense (309.0).

This season, The Mustangs currently rank fourth nationally in total offense (563.2), fifth in passing offense (359.2), sixth in total first downs (129) and seventh in scoring offense (42.6).

Thomas, Howerton, Ali and Morris have started all five games this season. Together, the group has a combined 105 starts.

ON THE RECEIVING END
The Mustangs had three 100-yard receivers in the win over Tulane: Danny Gray (5-133, TD), Rashee Rice (7-139, TD) and Tyler Page (4-101). It was the first time since 2017 (C. Sutton, J. Proche, T. Quinn vs Tulsa) with three and second time this season with multiple (at UNT - Roberson, Jr. 9-103, Rice 5-102).

SMU is the only school in The American to have four players with 100-yard performances and is one of only two teams nationally (Alabama) to have three players rank in the top 30 in receiving yards - Roberson, Jr. (9th, 474), Rice (20th, 411), Gray (30th, 331).

LET'S GET EXPLOSIVE
SMU is among national leaders in explosive plays.

Yards	No. of Plays	Yards	No. of Plays
20+	36	60+	5*
30+	21^	70+	3^
40+	13*	80+	2*
50+	8*

*leads nation  ^second

CLUB TAKEAWAY
The Mustangs continue the party in 2020 with 10 takeaways after five games, including at least one in seven straight games and 27 of the past 29. SMU's 10 (6 INTs, 4 FRs) takeaways rank ninth nationally. Brandon Crossley had the most recent, his third interception in as many games, in overtime of the win at Tulane.

The defense posted a season-high four against No. 25 Memphis including interceptions from Trevor Denbow and Crossley and a forced fumble from Junior Aho. 

Starting with SMU's game versus TCU in 2018, the Mustangs posted a 19-game takeaway streak that ended at Memphis in 2019. The streak was the second longest active streak in the nation at the time. Overall, the defense forced 21 takeaways in 2019 (9 INTs, 12 FRs), ranking them fourth in the American Athletic Conference and 34th nationally.

GETTING DEFENSIVE
SMU registered a program-record 51 sacks and 111 tackles-for-loss in 2019. The 3.92 sacks ranked first in the nation, while the 8.5 TFLs were third. The Mustangs have 15 sacks and 40 TFLs in 2020. 

•     Delano Robinson leads the defense with 36 tackles and added his first two sacks of the season for nine yards in Saturday's win.

•     Elijah Chatman is tied for the team lead with 5.0 TFLs for 24 yards after having just 3.5-9 in 2019.

•     Brandon Crossley has had an interception in three straight games and is tied for the national lead (3).

@BGSHANEBUECHELE
Shane Buechele posted his 11th career 300-yard game at Tulane going 23-37 with 384 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He now has multiple TDs in 15 of the last 17 games and 46 career TDs at SMU (3rd), with 76 overall.

He registered a career-high 474 passing yards off 32 completions and added three TDs in the victory over No. 25 Memphis to earn Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Week and AAC Offensive Player of the Week honors, Honorable Mention accolades from the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award and a Manning Award Star of the Week nod. His 474 passing yards were the third most in a game at SMU, while his career-best 501 yards of total offense were second for a Mustang.
 
Buechele threw for 367 yards and one TD in the season opener against Texas State, and went on to earn National Performer of the Week honors from the CFPA for his week two performance, throwing for 344 yards and four TDs, while also adding 29 yards on the ground and a rushing TD.

Buechele has been named to the Maxwell, Manning, Davey O'Brien, CFPA Award, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, Golden Arm Award and Wuerffel Trophy Watch Lists.

Buechele threw for 3,929 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2019, both SMU records.

BUECHELE RAISES $50,000 FOR CITY OF DALLAS COVID-19 ASSISTANCE FUND
Shane Buechele and his girlfriend, Paige Vasquez, raised $50,000 for the Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund for COVID-19. Back in April the couple decided to start a GoFundMe account so that they could give back to the place they call home. 

"I was impressed with Shane Buechele's performance on the field last season for SMU, but I am far more impressed with his commitment to his community here in the city of Dallas," said Mayor Eric Johnson. "Dallas is a resilient city. We will recover from COVID-19, and the funds raised by Shane and Paige will help us get there."

Their GoFundMe account was created to help the city during this time of uncertainty. The pair felt that they could team up and use their voices to rally support and give back to their community.
 
"Dallas is home. I grew up here," Buechele said. "It's been amazing to see how many people have sent in donations. Everyone wants to help and give back in some way and I'm glad they're able to do that through the donation page Paige and I started."

TEXAS TIES
Shane Buechele isn't the only Texas transfer who has found success with the Mustangs. In two seasons on the Hilltop, quarterback Garrett Gilbert (2012-13) ranked second all-time at SMU in 300-yard passing games (9), third in career yardage (6,460) and completions (603) and tied for fifth in touchdown passes (36). Also joining the Mustangs this year is former Longhorn Chris Naggar. 

THE SPECIALIST
Chris Naggar picked up his third American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honor after the win over Memphis. Naggar went 3-for-3 on field goals, including the game-winner from 43 yards with nine seconds left in the fourth quarter. He was also 3-for-3 on PATs, added four touchbacks off seven kickoffs for 455 yards and four punts for 183 yards with two inside the 20 and two of 50-plus.

He made it back-to-back on game winners with a 34-yarder in OT at Tulane.
 
Naggar is 10-for-12 on the season for field goals, 25-of-26 on PATs and has 23 touchbacks on 37 kickoffs for 2,342 yards. He started the season 8-8 before missing a 45-yard FG attempt.

DYNAMIC DUO
Shane Buechele and Reggie Roberson, Jr., combined for 7,334 career yards, and have connected on 1,389 yards between the pair at SMU. The duo was named the best quarterback/wide receiver duo in the state of Texas by Dave Campbell Texas Football. Following the win over No. 25 Memphis, Buechele was named the Davey O'Brien Award National Quarterback of the Week and Roberson, Jr., was named the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week.

@DGRAY_5
In the win over Tulane, Danny Gray posted a receiving and rushing TD for the second time this season (SFA), and he now has a receiving TD in four straight games. His 32-yard rushing TD was a career-long run, while his 133 receiving yards were also a career-high. Gray's yards per catch (26.6) ranked second nationally in week seven.

Gray added 43 yards off kick returns for 208 all-purpose yards.

For his efforts, he was named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Weekly Honor Roll.

@THEKINGREGGIE
Reggie Roberson, Jr., suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Oct. 3 game against Memphis.

A Biletnikoff Watch List honoree, Roberson, Jr., was named a 2020 preseason third-team All-America selection by Phil Steele's Magazine, as well as a first-team All-AAC honoree. He's also been honored as the best wide receiver in Texas by Dave Campbell's Texas Football, a member of the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Watch List honoree and a preseason all-conference selection by Dave Campbell and Athlon Sports. 

Reggie Roberson, Jr., had five receptions for 243 yards and two TDs in the win over  Memphis for the third best single-game receiving total in program history. He was named the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week and to the AAC Weekly Honor Roll.

The senior now has nine 100-yard games and four multi-TD games for his career, and his 17 touchdowns place him tied for eighth on SMU's program list. The 70- and 85-yard catches were his fifth and sixth of at least 50 yards as a Mustang.

Roberson, Jr., opened 2020 with 99 yards and a 51-yard TD reception at Texas State. At UNT, he registered nine catches for 103 yards and two TDs. He also finished with 128 all-purpose yards (25 KOR).

@BENTLEYDOO
Ulysses Bentley IV leads the Mustangs with 506 rushing yards and eight touchdowns through the first five games of 2020 and was named to the FWAA Freshman All-American, Doak Walker  and CFPA Watch Lists this week. He scored his first seven TDs in the opening three games of the season, which tied for the sixth most in a three-game span at SMU.

Bentley IV ranks in the top 10 nationally in rushing TDs (2nd, 8), total TDs, (4th, 8), rushing yards (6th, 506) and yards per carry (8th, 6.84).

He posted back-to-back 100-yard games against UNT and SFA, registering 227 yards and three touchdowns off 19 carries against UNT, and 104 yards and 2 TDs off six attempts against SFA. The 227 yards against UNT were the fourth-most in a single game in SMU history, and are the most by a player in the AAC this season by 55 yards.

IN THE GRAN SCHEME OF THINGS
A member of the Biletnikoff Award Watch List, Kylen Granson registered 43 receptions for 721 yards in 2019 and tied SMU's record for receiving touchdowns by a tight end with nine. He earned second-team All-American Athletic Conference honors.

Granson collected an extensive list of preseason accolades for 2020, including Dave Campbell's Texas football All-Texas Team honors, as well as All-AAC honors from Phil Steel's Magazine, College Football News and Athlon Sports.

In just his second season on the Hilltop, Granson ranks as one of the top tight ends in program history.

MR. VERSATILE
Tyler Page has been recognized by Head Coach Sonny Dykes as having the ability to fill multiple roles for the Mustangs. The wide receiver had four receptions for 101 yards on Saturday for his second career 100-yard game, and also connected on a career-long 55-yard pass to Rashee Rice. He has 163 receiving yards this season and is 4-6 passing for 102 yards with a TD in his career. Page also has three punt returns for 45 yards this season.

ON THE FIELD, IN THE CLASSROOM, IN THE COMMUNITY
Tyler Page is representing SMU as the 2020 nominee for the William V. Campbell Trophy. Page has a 3.9 grade-point-average in finance and has been named to the SMU Honor Roll with High Distinction, Distinction and the Honor Roll.

Page played in all 13 games in 2019 and registered 13 catches for 198 yards. He added five kickoff returns for 127 yards and a punt return for six yards. 

In the community, Page participates in SMU's visits to the Children's Hospital, youth football camps, The Big Event and elementary school service events and visits. 

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN EARN WATCH LIST RECOGNITION
Jaylon Thomas was named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, while Alan Ali was recognized as a member of the Rimington Trophy Watch List. 

Both Mustangs started all 13 games in 2019, and Thomas went on to earn All-American Athletic Conference Second-Team honors.

The pair blocked for an offense that ranked seventh nationally in scoring offense (41.8), ninth in total offense (489.8) and 13th in passing offense (309.0). 

The program set records for scoring average (41.8), scoring (544), total offense (6,368), yards per game (489.8), plays (1,037), touchdowns (73), rushing TDs (35) and first downs (322).

HE'S IN!
Stanford graduate transfer Mike Williams has opted back in for the 2020 season. Williams returned to action in the win week five win over Memphis.

In three seasons at Stanford, Williams played in 38 games, started all 25 during his sophomore and junior seasons.  He registered 72 tackles, including 8 TFLs, 2 sacks and 2 QB hurries. 

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 Brandon Stephens has been awarded the number for 2020.

Players To Wear #23
Brandon Stephens, DB, 2020
Rodney Clemons, S, 2019
Jordan Wyatt, CB, 2018
Nick Horton, DE, 2016-17
Jeremiah Gaines, TE, 2015
Stephon Sanders, LB, 2012-14
Chris Banjo, DB, 2009-11

#PONYUPDALLAS
In 2019, The Mustangs debuted Dallas-themed uniforms to symbolize the relationship between SMU and the city of Dallas in wins over North Texas on Sept. 7, No. 25 TCU on Sept. 21 and Houston on Oct. 24. SMU opened the 2020 season against Texas State in the Dallas jerseys.

• The helmet decal featured the famous Triple D interlocked with the timeless SMU Pony, symbolizing the unity between the city of Dallas and SMU.

• The stripe on the helmet and jersey sleeves pay homage to the Dallas Cowboys.

• The number and pant stripe pay tribute to the 1966 Dallas Cowboys, led by quarterback and SMU alum Don Meredith.

• The script 'Dallas' featured on the chest pays homage to SMU alum and AFL founder Lamar Hunt and the Dallas Texans.

GREAT FAMILY 
The Mustangs are wearing Great Family patches on their jerseys during the 2020 season.


SMU JOINS THE PLAYERS COALITION 
The Mustangs announced they would be joining the Players Coalition in June.

The Players Coalition exists to end social injustices and racial inequality so future generations have the opportunity to thrive without barriers. The mission "is to achieve social and racial equality using Players Coalition influence and support to impact systemic social and civic change in the areas of Police & Community Relations, Criminal Justice Reform and Education & Economic Advancement in low-income communities."
Former Mustang and current Arizona Cardinal Kelvin Beachum serves on the organization's task force.

MUSTANGS PARTNER WITH JEREMY DARLOW
The SMU football program has announced a partnership with brand marketing consultant and best-selling author Jeremy Darlow.
 
The partnership, which gives Mustang football players access to Darlow's online course, The Darlow Rules, helps collegiate student-athletes develop and grow their personal brands.
 
A former marketing director for adidas with 15-plus years of brand marketing experience, Darlow now owns and operates a consultancy focused on helping athletes, coaches and teams build their brands. Over the course of his career, he has worked with some of the most heralded athletes, celebrities and NCAA programs in and around sports, including Aaron Rodgers, Von Miller, Adrian Peterson, Dak Prescott, Kris Bryant, Carlos Correa, Lionel Messi, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Notre Dame, Michigan, UCLA, Miami, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
 
SMU is the first school in Texas and the first program in the American Athletic Conference accepted into the program.
 
The partnership also includes access to conversations with Darlow to help further develop the brand marketing plan.

GRIDIRON GRADS
The 2020 opened with 10 student-athletes who have already earned an undergraduate degree -- Shane Buechele, Kevin Johnson, Richard McBryde, Richard Moore, Tommy McIntyre, Chris Naggar, Jacob Pugh, Kadarius Smith, Brandon Stephens and Mike Williams.

MUSTANGS IN THE CLASSROOM
SMU had 56 student-athletes named to the AAC All-Academic team following the 2019-20 season. To be eligible for the honor, a nominee must have competed in an AAC-sponsored sport, attained a minimum grade-point average of 3.00 for the preceding academic year, and completed a minimum of two consecutive semesters or three consecutive quarters of academic work, with a total of 18 semester or 27 quarter credits, not including remedial courses.

SAME NAMES, NEW LOOK
Nine of the ten assistant coaches on the Mustang coaching staff return for the 2020 season, but three with new roles this year. A.J. Ricker has added the Co-Offensive Coordinator title to his offensive line duties, Chris Brasfield has been named assistant head coach and special teams coordinator and Ra'Shaad Samples is now in charge of running backs.

WELCOME TO THE HILLTOP
Garrett Riley joined the Mustang football staff as Offensive Coordinator and quarterbacks coach in January of 2020.
 
Riley arrived on the Hilltop after spending the 2019 season as running backs coach at Appalachian State, and was set to be promoted to Offensive Coordinator. The Mountaineers went 13-1 last season, including a Sun Belt Championship and a win in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl over UAB. 
 
Prior to his time at Appalachian State, Riley spent three seasons at Kansas (2016-18) in various capacities. From 2013-15, Riley worked with the offense at ECU, spending the 2015 season as the outside receivers coach and 2013 and 2014 as an offensive assistant.
 
Riley got his start in the collegiate ranks in 2012 as running backs coach at Augustana College (Ill.), and prior to that was a quarterbacks and passing game assistant at Roosevelt High School in Lubbock, Texas, in 2011.

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 525 straight games. His 500th was SMU's 63-27 victory over HBU on Sept. 29, 2018. 

IT'S ALWAYS SONNY ON THE HILLTOP
The third season of It's Always Sonny on the Hilltop with Head Coach Sonny Dykes runs throughout the 2020 campaign. The show takes place Mondays from 7-8 p.m.
 
The 2020 show will have a slightly different look than previous years. The voice of SMU Football, Rich Phillips, will be on-site for the show, while Dykes will join via video. This season's show will be available on the TuneIn App, by searching "SMU", with live audio only, and on the SMU Mustangs Mobile App. Video will be available the following day on SMUMustangs.com and on SMU's social media channels.
 
SMU Athletics invites fans to watch on-site with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis as Ozona is currently operating with limited capacity.

PONY UP-GRADES!
Across all funds, donors gave more than $18.7 million to support Athletics in fiscal year 2019, a total that includes $9.6 million in capital gifts.    

Specific to Ford Stadium, SMU has made significant investments since 2011, including an upgraded locker room finished in August 2018, 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.

Prior to the 2016 season, Paragon Sports Constructors installed a new synthetic turf playing field at Ford Stadium. The new synthetic turf field is PowerBlade Bolt as manufactured by Shaw Sports Turf. The design for the new field remained the same, featuring the Mustang logo at mid-field with 'SMU' and 'Mustangs' in opposing end zones.

In the summer of 2013, SMU added a new 233-seat Hall of Champions Club and seven new suites in time for SMU's move to the American Athletic Conference. Among the great features of the new Club and suites is their indoor/outdoor design which allows fans to enjoy the comfort of indoor amenities as well as the excitement of sitting out in the bowl and hearing the roar of the crowd and the hard-hitting action on the field.

SMU also opened the Indoor Performance Center prior to the 2019 season.

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), UNT (2015), Memphis (2016), Navy (2018) and Texas State (2019).

BACK FOR MOORE
Linebacker Richard Moore was approved for a sixth year of eligibility after suffering a season-ending injury before game four of the 2019 season. Moore started all 12 games in 2018 and was named an American Athletic Conference honorable mention selection after leading the Mustangs with 92 tackles and 5.0 sacks for 28 yards. He added 13.5 TFLs for 44 yards and five QB hurries. He has not seen action in 2020.