DMN Fraley: Loss has to rank among SMU's worst

NT80 · September 10, 2006

Loss has to rank among SMU's worst

11:42 PM CDT on Saturday, September 9, 2006

DENTON – Identifying the worst loss in SMU football history is a difficult task.

The alumni wanted coach Ray Morrison's head after the Mustangs lost the first game in school history – at TCU in 1915. That 146-3 loss to Rice a year later went over badly.

If a 24-6 loss to North Texas wasn't the lowest on-the-field moment in SMU football history, it ranks among the darkest of days. Dark enough to put coach Phil Bennett's job in jeopardy.

A team that seemed to be on the verge of progressing took a huge step backward and is 0-2 by a score of 59-9 while making mistakes by the score.

Time to table the bowl talk.

"With the way we finished last year and the way our two-a-days went ...," said wide receiver Reynaldo Pellerin, still in shock well after the game. "I can't imagine any loss."

SMU had no imagination on offense and made mistakes on special teams. The defense hung together until UNT quarterback Woody Wilson scored in the third quarter on a 33-yard run when flushed from the pocket.

These are the type of losses that snowball.

"We've got to get it back on track," said Bennett, undaunted in the face of a numbing defeat. "Do I think our season is over? Absolutely not."

It cannot be, if Bennett wants to return.

His new boss, Steve Orsini, wants to see success in a hurry. Orsini did not hire Bennett and would have little difficulty dispatching him if the bottom falls out.

Orsini showed no emotion as he walked away from the wreck.

This was the first must-win game for Bennett at SMU.

UNT was the most reasonable nonconference opponent for SMU since Bennett debuted against Navy in 2002. There was a realistic chance of SMU getting through the first month in good shape. In Bennett's four previous seasons, SMU went 2-15 against a mostly brutal nonconference schedule in the opening month.

Bennett, a likable man of high integrity and energy, has brought in better players. They are bigger, faster and stronger. None has been picked up in a careening car with a gun on his lap.

This was an opportunity game in that it gave SMU a stage to demonstrate its progress. The Mustangs responded so poorly that Sam Houston State is no sure-thing in next Saturday's home opener.

"Absolutely, it's a step backward," Bennett said. "It has to be."

His team was wanting in every area.

SMU showed no poise.

As UNT took control of the game in the second half, the Mustangs went to pieces. SMU took four major penalties, including two personal fouls, in the second half. The Mustangs had eight penalties in each of the first two games. That speaks to a lack of discipline.

The coaching must share the blame.

Bennett does not have a special-teams coach. He prefers to spread the kicking-game responsibilities around the staff.

The Towel of Babel way is never a good idea.

UNT scored 90 seconds into the game on a blocked punt by Evan Robertson. SMU also had two penalties on returns and a bad snap on its missed conversion.

SMU has allowed five blocked punts in its last 13 games. That is not good.

The offense is a bigger problem.

The Mustangs have scored nine points in 23 possessions this season. At this pace, SMU would finish with 54 points. In the last eight years, the lowest points total in Division I is 87, by South Carolina in 1999.

SMU lost a big piece of its attack when running back DeMyron Martin went out in the first half because of a foot injury. The passing game designed by offensive coordinator Rusty Burns is a mishmash of slowly developing plays and high-risk, low-reward throws.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Justin Willis completed 15 of 19 throws for 112 yards. It's hardly worth throwing when a completion has an average gain of fewer than eight yards.

Bennett said he believes this team can be fixed. He also said, "I might be crazy." In this situation, that can only help.

KingDL1 · September 10, 2006

That 146-3 loss to Rice a year later went over badly.
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I can't imagine that going over well.

Holly cow 146 thats about a touchdown every 3 minutes.

Is that the D1 record? Or has a team hung more points on a opponent?

risinggreen · September 10, 2006

Loss has to rank among SMU's worst
11:42 PM CDT on Saturday, September 9, 2006
DENTON – Identifying the worst loss in SMU football history is a difficult task.
The alumni wanted coach Ray Morrison's head after the Mustangs lost the first game in school history – at TCU in 1915. That 146-3 loss to Rice a year later went over badly.
If a 24-6 loss to North Texas wasn't the lowest on-the-field moment in SMU football history, it ranks among the darkest of days. Dark enough to put coach Phil Bennett's job in jeopardy.
A team that seemed to be on the verge of progressing took a huge step backward and is 0-2 by a score of 59-9 while making mistakes by the score.
Time to table the bowl talk.
"With the way we finished last year and the way our two-a-days went ...," said wide receiver Reynaldo Pellerin, still in shock well after the game. "I can't imagine any loss."
SMU had no imagination on offense and made mistakes on special teams. The defense hung together until UNT quarterback Woody Wilson scored in the third quarter on a 33-yard run when flushed from the pocket.
These are the type of losses that snowball.
"We've got to get it back on track," said Bennett, undaunted in the face of a numbing defeat. "Do I think our season is over? Absolutely not."
It cannot be, if Bennett wants to return.
His new boss, Steve Orsini, wants to see success in a hurry. Orsini did not hire Bennett and would have little difficulty dispatching him if the bottom falls out.
Orsini showed no emotion as he walked away from the wreck.
This was the first must-win game for Bennett at SMU.
UNT was the most reasonable nonconference opponent for SMU since Bennett debuted against Navy in 2002. There was a realistic chance of SMU getting through the first month in good shape. In Bennett's four previous seasons, SMU went 2-15 against a mostly brutal nonconference schedule in the opening month.
Bennett, a likable man of high integrity and energy, has brought in better players. They are bigger, faster and stronger. None has been picked up in a careening car with a gun on his lap.
This was an opportunity game in that it gave SMU a stage to demonstrate its progress. The Mustangs responded so poorly that Sam Houston State is no sure-thing in next Saturday's home opener.
"Absolutely, it's a step backward," Bennett said. "It has to be."
His team was wanting in every area.
SMU showed no poise.
As UNT took control of the game in the second half, the Mustangs went to pieces. SMU took four major penalties, including two personal fouls, in the second half. The Mustangs had eight penalties in each of the first two games. That speaks to a lack of discipline.
The coaching must share the blame.
Bennett does not have a special-teams coach. He prefers to spread the kicking-game responsibilities around the staff.
The Towel of Babel way is never a good idea.
UNT scored 90 seconds into the game on a blocked punt by Evan Robertson. SMU also had two penalties on returns and a bad snap on its missed conversion.
SMU has allowed five blocked punts in its last 13 games. That is not good.
The offense is a bigger problem.
The Mustangs have scored nine points in 23 possessions this season. At this pace, SMU would finish with 54 points. In the last eight years, the lowest points total in Division I is 87, by South Carolina in 1999.
SMU lost a big piece of its attack when running back DeMyron Martin went out in the first half because of a foot injury. The passing game designed by offensive coordinator Rusty Burns is a mishmash of slowly developing plays and high-risk, low-reward throws.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Justin Willis completed 15 of 19 throws for 112 yards. It's hardly worth throwing when a completion has an average gain of fewer than eight yards.
Bennett said he believes this team can be fixed. He also said, "I might be crazy." In this situation, that can only help.
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"The alumni wanted coach Ray Morrison's head after the Mustangs lost the first game in school history – at TCU in 1915. That 146-3 loss to Rice a year later went over badly."

How could the "alumni" of SMU have wanted Morrison's head in 1915 when that was the first year of classes at SMU? Hmmm. Also, it sounds like the BS excuse gang is starting to come out in force for the punies. None of that is going to work because we plain and simply kicked their butts. Good job Mean Green. Let's get a little revenge again next week in Tulsa!

KingDL1 · September 10, 2006

"The alumni wanted coach Ray Morrison's head after the Mustangs lost the first game in school history – at TCU in 1915. That 146-3 loss to Rice a year later went over badly."
How could the "alumni" of SMU have wanted Morrison's head in 1915 when that was the first year of classes at SMU? Hmmm. Also, it sounds like the BS excuse gang is starting to come out in force for the punies. None of that is going to work because we plain and simply kicked their butts. Good job Mean Green. Let's get a little revenge again next week in Tulsa!
←

Very good question.

SMU History

Founded in 1911 by what is now The United Methodist Church and opened in 1915

I checked the score of the Rice game in 1916 and that is correct though, wow 146 points.