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SETTING THE SCENE
•    SMU heads to ECU Saturday for an 11 a.m. CT match-up against the Pirates. The game will stream on ESPN+.

•     The Mustangs are currently receiving votes in both the AP and Coaches Polls. 

•     Shane Buechele threw for 200 yards and a touchdown, while Ulysses Bentley IV set the freshman rushing TD record (11) with a score and Kylen Granson added a receiving TD in the game at Tulsa on Nov. 14. Defensively, the Mustangs were led by Delano Robinson, with a game-high nine tackles, Brandon Crossley, who posted his fourth INT of the season (3rd, NCAA) for a pick six, Turner Coxe (2 sacks) and Elijah Chatman (FR).

•     SMU has won seven games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 2011-12 seasons, and are looking for consecutive eight win seasons for the first time since 1983-84. 

•     The Mustangs were off last week, as the Nov. 21 game against Houston was postponed due to COVID-19 cases at Houston. The game has been rescheduled for Dec. 5.

THE SERIES
This is the ninth meeting between SMU and ECU, with the series tied at 4-4. The Mustangs have won the last two meetings, including a 59-51 victory in Dallas in 2019. SMU last played at ECU in 2016, a 55-31 victory for the Mustangs. As members of the American Athletic Conference, the series record is knotted at 2-2.

ABOUT THE PIRATES
ECU is 2-6 heading into Saturday's match-up and is coming off a 28-3 win over AAC opponent Temple after dropping four straight. The Pirates' only other win of the season came at USF on Oct. 10.

THE COACHES
•    Sonny Dykes is in his third year on the Hilltop and is 22-13 as head coach of the Mustangs, including 17-5 in the last 22 games. Dykes 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). In 2019, he led SMU to an historic season going 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 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 63-58.

•    Mike Houston is 6-14 in two seasons at East Carolina, and 86-39 overall in 10 seasons as a head coach. Houston arrived at ECU after three seasons as head coach at James Madison, where he guided the Dukes to a 37-6 mark and three FCS postseason appearances (2016 national champions, 2017 national runner-up, 2018 second round).  
LAST TIME VS. ECU
DALLAS (AP) -- Shane Buechele threw five touchdown passes, Xavier Jones broke one of Eric Dickerson's school records and No. 23 SMU bounced back from a first loss that dramatically changed the course of its season, outscoring East Carolina 59-51 on Nov. 9, 2019.

The Mustangs (9-1, 5-1 American Athletic) played from ahead and kept it that way in a second straight game with more than 1,000 combined yards. SMU had fallen behind and failed to close the gap last week in a 54-48 loss to No. 19 Memphis.

Kylen Granson caught three touchdowns, including a 31-yarder on fourth-and-20 with SMU leading 45-44 midway through the fourth quarter. Granson had 138 yards on seven receptions, while James Proche finished with 14 catches for 167 yards.

On the ensuing kickoff, East Carolina's Jsi Hatfield couldn't pick up the loose ball around his 15-yard line and SMU recovered. That led to Proche's second touchdown catch.

Proche, a senior, had broken Emmanuel Sanders' school record with his 35th career touchdown catch on his first score of the day.

Buechele threw for 414 yards as the Mustangs finished with 636 total yards to 644 for the Pirates (3-7, 0-6).

Jones, who ran for 157 yards, had three rushing touchdowns for the third time this season, giving him 18. His total touchdowns reached 20, one more than the Pro Football Hall of Famer Dickerson had in 1981 -- all on the ground.

SMU started 8-0 for the first time since Dickerson was leading the Pony Express in his final season in 1982. But the loss to Memphis left the Mustangs needing help to reach the AAC championship game even if they win their final two regular-season games.

East Carolina's Tyler Snead caught 19 passes for 240 yards, both career highs. Snead's previous best was six catches, and at one point he caught seven straight passes from Holton Ahlers. The Football Bowl Subdivision high for receptions in a game this season coming in was 16.

Ahlers threw for 498 yards a week after setting a school record with 535 yards when the Pirates lost to No. 17 Cincinnati 46-43 on a field goal on the final play.

HOT START
The Mustangs have been leading or tied after the first quarter in 17 of the past 21 games, and are outscoring opponents 91-44 after the first 15 minutes. SMU has also been leading or tied at halftime in 16 of the past 21. The Mustangs opened the season 5-0, giving them consecutive 5-0 starts for the first time since the 1982-1983 seasons.

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).

MAKING OUR POINT
SMU has scored 50+ points three times this season (65 at UNT, 50 vs. SFA, 51 vs. Navy). The only other time SMU had three games of 50+ was 1928.

SMU had 31 points in the second quarter against Navy, that is the most for SMU in a quarter since scoring 31 points in the third quarter of a 72-42 home win against Houston on Oct. 18, 2012.

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 3-1 at home in 2020 and announced sellouts of 7,898 in all four games. The loss to No. 9 Cincinnati snapped a streak of eight consecutive home wins at Ford Stadium (4th longest streak home winning streak in program history - 18, 1925-28; 17, 1934-36; 10, 1946-48; 8, 2019-20).

WATCH US
Eight 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 (Top 15), Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, Senior CLASS Award
Kylen Granson | Biletnikoff Award, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award
Chris Naggar | Ray Guy 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 has registered 500 yards of total offense in six of nine games in 2020 and 11 of the past 21.

2020 Totals Over 500
Temple - 549 yards (355 passing, 194 rushing)
Navy - 555 yards (300 passing, 255 rushing)
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)

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

Yards	No. of Plays	Yards	No. of Plays
20+	60	60+	6^
30+	32~	70+	3
40+	18^	80+	2*
50+	9^

*leads nation  ^second  ~third

SEEING RED
The Mustangs are 41-45 (91%) on the season (28 TDs, 13 FGs) in the red zone after going 3-3 at Tulsa. SMU has been perfect six times this season (8-8 at UNT, 6-6 vs. SFA, 5-5 at Tulane, 6-6 vs. Navy, 3-3 at Temple) 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. 

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 2019 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.

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) in 2019. On defense they set records for sacks (51) and TFLs (111).

WHAT A RUSH
SMU set the single-season rushing touchdown record in 2019 with 35 and has 21 in 2020. Ulysses Bentley IV leads the way with 11 TDs, which set the single-season freshman record for rushing TDs. Six different Mustangs account for the other 10 TDs.

SMU outrushed Navy (255-191) on Oct. 31 for the first time since Nov. 21, 1998 (274-131 in a 24-11 win at Navy). It was the first time SMU has had multiple players rush for two or more TDs since Ke'Mon Freeman (3) & Xavier Jones (2) did so at Connecticut on Nov. 10, 2018 (W, 62-50) with Bentley and Tyler Lavine each posting a pair.

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 and TaMerik Williams both posting their first career rushing TDs.

CONSISTENCY IS KEY
The Mustangs returned four offensive linemen who started at least 12 games each in 2019 in Jaylon Thomas, Hayden Howerton, Alan Ali and Beau Morris. The four have started eight of nine games this season (Thomas - at Tulsa) and have a combined 121 starts. 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) a season ago.

The Mustangs currently rank fourth nationally in first downs (225), are 13th in total offense (506.8), 16th in passing offense (318.4) and 19th in scoring offense (38.7).

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 had multiple 100-yard receivers for the third time this season in the win over Temple. 
Tyler Page (9-131 with 2 TDs) and Kylen Granson (6-149 and a TD) - Both career highs for yards.
at North Texas (Rashee Rice, Reggie Roberson Jr.)
at Tulane (Rashee Rice, Tyler Page, Danny Gray)

SMU is the only school in The American to have five players with 100-yard performances this season.

Rashee Rice
139 at Tulane (Oct 16, 2020)
102 at North Texas (Sept. 19, 2020)
101 at Texas State (Sept. 05, 2020)

Tyler Page
131 at Temple (Nov. 07, 2020)
101 at Tulane (Oct. 16, 2020)

Reggie Roberson, Jr.
243 vs Memphis (Oct. 03, 2020)
103 at North Texas (Sept. 19, 2020)

Danny Gray
133 at Tulane (Oct. 16, 2020)

Kylen Granson
149 at Temple (Nov 07, 2020).

WITH A PURPOSE
Four Mustangs have registered 200 all-purpose yards in a game this season - Tyler Page (Temple, 207), Danny Gray (Tulane, 208), Reggie Roberson, Jr. (Memphis, 243) & Ulysses Bentley IV (UNT, 248 & Navy, 217).

CLUB TAKEAWAY
The Mustangs continue the party in 2020 with 15 takeaways after nine games, including at least one in 10 of the past 11 and 30 of the past 33 games. The 15 (7 INTs, 8 FRs) takeaways rank 13th nationally. 

Brandon Crossley posted his fourth interception (3rd NCAA) against Tulsa, while Elijah Chatman had a fumble recovery (2 in 2020, 4th NCAA), giving the Mustangs their fifth game this season with multiple takeaways. It was the first interception returned for a TD since Ar'mani Johnson (64 yards) vs. Tulsa on Oct. 5, 2019.

The defense posted a season-high four takeaways 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 23 sacks and 69 TFLs in 2020. 

•     Delano Robinson had a team-high 9 tackles at Tulsa and has led SMU in tackles in 7 of the last 8 games.

•     Turner Coxe had a career and game-high 2 sacks at Tulsa.

•     Chevin Calloway and Chace Cromartie each had a career-high 8 tackles at Tulsa, while Brandon Stephens' 8 of his own were a season high.

•     Brandon Crossley has four INTs this season, including one for a TD at Tulsa, one in OT against Tulane and one in the end zone against Memphis. He had one in three straight game from SFA (9/26) - Tulane (10-16). The total is third in the FBS.

•     Elijah Chatman's 2 fumble recoveries rank fourth nationally. 

•     SMU's 15 (7 INTs, 8 FRs) takeaways rank 13th nationally, with the eight fumble recoveries ranking eighth.

@BGSHANEBUECHELE
Shane Buechele has multiple TDs in 17 of the last 21 games and 55 career TDs at SMU (2nd), with 85 overall. He enters the game second nationally in passing yards (2,781), ninth in passing TDs (21), 11th in passing yards per game (309.0) and 13th in total offense (320.7) and completions per game (23.00).

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

In the win over Temple, Buechele threw for 355 yards and four TDs, giving him his fifth career game with 4+ TDs. It was his 13th career 300-yard game (11 at SMU), and sixth this season. He was named to the AAC and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Weekly Honor Roll and a Manning Award Star of the Week.

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 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.

He earned National POTW honors from the CFPA for his performance at UNT, 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 and Wuerffel Trophy Watch Lists. He is also a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award and in the top 15 for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

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). Gilbert earned a Super Bowl ring with the New England Patriots in 2015 and made his first start with the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 8.

Also joining the Mustangs this year is former Longhorn Chris Naggar. 

THE SPECIALIST
Chris Naggar has been named the American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the week four times during the 2020 season and is a member of the Ray Guy Award Watch List.

In back-to-back weeks (Tulane, No. 25/24 Memphis), Naggar hit game winning field goals to keep the Mustangs undefeated. Following the win over Memphis, he was also named one of three Lou Groza Collegiate Place Kicker Award Stars of the Week. 
 
Naggar is 16-for-20 on the season for field goals, 40-of-43 on PATs and has 41 touchbacks on 62 kickoffs for 3,889 yards. He ranks fourth nationally in total points scored at 88 and 10th in field goals per game (1.78).

@BENTLEYDOO
Ulysses Bentley IV leads the Mustangs with 877 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns through nine games and is listed on FWAA Freshman All-American, Doak Walker and CFPA Watch Lists. His 11 rushing TDs set the SMU freshman single-season record.

He registered 103 yards off a career-high 26 attempts in the Mustangs' last outing at Tulsa for his fourth 100-yard game of 2020.

NATIONAL RANKINGS
5    Rushing Yards    877
7    Rushing TDs    11
8    Total TDs    11

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 registered 149 yards and two TDs in the win over Navy, giving him his fourth game of the season with multiple rushing TDs. His 217 all-purpose yards gave him his second game of the season with 200+ (248 yards at UNT).

@DGRAY_5
In the win over Tulane, Danny Gray posted a receiving and rushing TD for the second time this season (SFA), and capped off four straight games with a receiving touchdown. 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 Award Weekly Honor Roll.

Gray missed the game vs. Navy with an injury.

He is coming off a career-high eight reception performance at Tulsa where he secured 93 yards.

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 against Tulane, and also connected on a career-long 55-yard pass to Rashee Rice. 

The Campbell Trophy Semifinalist went on to go 9-131 with two touchdowns at Temple for career highs in catches, yards and TDs. It was his second 100-yard game of the season, and third of his career. The 207 all-purpose yards (12 KO, 63 PR) were a career high and the fourth of his career of 100+ (2nd this season). He was named to the AAC and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Weekly Honor Roll.

He has 396 receiving yards this season and has 11 punt returns for 143 yards (9th NCAA, 13.0). Page is 4-7 passing for 102 yards with a TD in his career. 

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), TDs (73), rushing TDs (35) and first downs (322).

@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 Award Watch List honoree and a preseason all-conference selection by Dave Campbell and Athlon Sports. 

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

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.

#PONYUPDALLAS
In 2019, The Mustangs debuted Dallas-themed uniforms to symbolize the relationship between SMU and the city of Dallas. They wore them 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 with a win in the Dallas jerseys.

• The helmet decal features 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

IT'S ALWAYS SONNY ON THE HILLTOP
Catch LIVE video on the SMU Mustangs Facebook page and listen on SMUMustangs.com and TuneIn by searching "SMU."

The third season of It's Always Sonny on the Hilltop with Head Coach Sonny Dykes begins Monday, Aug. 31, and will run throughout the 2020 campaign. The show will take place Mondays at 7 p.m.
 
Catch LIVE video on the SMU Mustangs Facebook page or SMUMustangs.com and listen on TuneIn.
 
Fans can tweet their questions for Coach Dykes using the hashtag #AlwaysSonny, or by clicking the "Ask The Coach" button on SMUMustangs.com.

FAST LAYNE    
Paul Layne holds an unrivaled Mustang record, having attended every SMU game for the last 45-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 529 straight games. His 500th was SMU's 63-27 victory over HBU on Sept. 29, 2018. 

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).

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