Final Score:
SMU 49 Tulane 21
Quick Take:
Defense was what the Mustangs were all about early in this one as for the first time, it actually looked like the whole unit was on the same page. Cornerbacks were tight on receivers and that created just enough extra time for the pressure to get to Tulane quarterback Tanner Lee. Playing extremely inefficiently, at halftime Lee was 5 for 15 for 49 yards while being sacked once. He would later leave the game with an injury. Zach Woods got the whole team into the game by blocking a field goal attempt that was ran back 70 yards for a touchdown by RC Cox, and after that the offense really got rolling. Xavier Jones was untouchable all night and by halftime he had 139 total yards and three touchdowns and was the focal point offensively. 35-7 score after 30 minutes and the Mustangs really never had to look back. They established a lead and played competitively throughout in a game that will mean a lot more to the players then it will to the record. Everyone on the sideline was having really fun and the vibes all around the players and the team was great tonight. It was pretty obvious that SMU played conservatively in the second half but that is ok as they had a 28 point cushion for much of that time. One more game to go against a Memphis team that suffered an ugly loss to Temple.
Highlights:
Beside blocking the field goal, Woods also had a major sack on Lee that was another momentum play for SMU. While Matt Davis didn't make any really remarkable throws, he played smart while running and passing 165 yards in the air and another 156 on the ground. Jones was explosive tonight and he had three plays on one drive where he was one step away from breaking off a huge touchdown run. Courtland Sutton had a one-handed catch on the sideline that was reviewed and ruled out of bounds, but we all knew that he caught it. Caleb Tuiasosopo de-cleated some poor Tulane kid up in the third quarter with a ferocious hit.
Lowlights:
There was a moment in the second half, when Lee was injured and Jordy Joseph came into the game, that it looked as if things would head south. Tulsa scored a touchdown early in the second half and the offense didn’t get back to the form they were playing at earlier. It turned out to be a scare and nothing more. The Mustang defense never quit playing hard and other then the garbage time scores they played incredible.
What it Means:
At this point in the year, the win doesn't mean a lot. Obviously one more tally in the W column is nice but the standings don’t matter for SMU this year. This win was great for the older guys and I am sure that Chad Morris wanted nothing more then to send his seniors out in their last home game feeling great. As a team, the Mustangs looked great but they were playing against a mediocre Tulane team, but it was nice to see the defense actually play defense for the first time this year. Great to be on the other side of a blowout.
SMU 49 Tulane 21
Quick Take:
Defense was what the Mustangs were all about early in this one as for the first time, it actually looked like the whole unit was on the same page. Cornerbacks were tight on receivers and that created just enough extra time for the pressure to get to Tulane quarterback Tanner Lee. Playing extremely inefficiently, at halftime Lee was 5 for 15 for 49 yards while being sacked once. He would later leave the game with an injury. Zach Woods got the whole team into the game by blocking a field goal attempt that was ran back 70 yards for a touchdown by RC Cox, and after that the offense really got rolling. Xavier Jones was untouchable all night and by halftime he had 139 total yards and three touchdowns and was the focal point offensively. 35-7 score after 30 minutes and the Mustangs really never had to look back. They established a lead and played competitively throughout in a game that will mean a lot more to the players then it will to the record. Everyone on the sideline was having really fun and the vibes all around the players and the team was great tonight. It was pretty obvious that SMU played conservatively in the second half but that is ok as they had a 28 point cushion for much of that time. One more game to go against a Memphis team that suffered an ugly loss to Temple.
Highlights:
Beside blocking the field goal, Woods also had a major sack on Lee that was another momentum play for SMU. While Matt Davis didn't make any really remarkable throws, he played smart while running and passing 165 yards in the air and another 156 on the ground. Jones was explosive tonight and he had three plays on one drive where he was one step away from breaking off a huge touchdown run. Courtland Sutton had a one-handed catch on the sideline that was reviewed and ruled out of bounds, but we all knew that he caught it. Caleb Tuiasosopo de-cleated some poor Tulane kid up in the third quarter with a ferocious hit.
Lowlights:
There was a moment in the second half, when Lee was injured and Jordy Joseph came into the game, that it looked as if things would head south. Tulsa scored a touchdown early in the second half and the offense didn’t get back to the form they were playing at earlier. It turned out to be a scare and nothing more. The Mustang defense never quit playing hard and other then the garbage time scores they played incredible.
What it Means:
At this point in the year, the win doesn't mean a lot. Obviously one more tally in the W column is nice but the standings don’t matter for SMU this year. This win was great for the older guys and I am sure that Chad Morris wanted nothing more then to send his seniors out in their last home game feeling great. As a team, the Mustangs looked great but they were playing against a mediocre Tulane team, but it was nice to see the defense actually play defense for the first time this year. Great to be on the other side of a blowout.
