Bennett Readies For North Texas

Eagle-96 · September 5, 2007

http://media.www.smudailycampus.com/media/...s-2950257.shtml

Bennett Readies For North Texas

Coach says team must put Tech game behind them

There was little time to dwell on the shellacking SMU received from Texas Tech at head coach Phil Bennett's weekly press conference. He and his team were already turning their attention to Saturday's opponent, the University of North Texas.

"Right now, after this game, I thought we were further along than we are," Bennett said. "Right now we're a work in progress."

Bennett said he spent most of Monday night at Ford Stadium. He wants to make sure SMU comes out prepared on Saturday, avoiding a repeat of last year's 24-6 loss to the Mean Green.

One major change will be the way SMU runs the offense.

Players were running the offense using wristbands with plays written on them. The idea was to speed up play on the field, but it just wound up causing problems.

Bennett said they would go back to calling in plays from the sidelines starting this week against North Texas.

SMU practiced with the wristband system the entire summer and during mini-camps when school was back in session. The team didn't experience any difficulties until the system was put into use Monday against Texas Tech.

"Both times they struggled with it we were in the red zone, and it took us out of rhythm," Bennett said. "It's a coaching mistake; we should have gotten rid of it faster."

SMU's defense is planning for both North Texas quarterbacks. Junior Daniel Meager and freshman Giovanni Vizza saw playing time during North Texas' 79-10 loss to Oklahoma. Meager was benched in the middle of the game and Vizza was put in the game, scoring the only touchdown for North Texas.

Bennett said they don't know what the Mean Green will do at quarterback, but his team will be prepared for both of them.

Since this will be only the second game for North Texas head coach Todd Dodge, Bennett has been studying game tapes from Dodge's Southlake Carroll games, where he coached previously.

One thing Bennett isn't budging on is the "All Out" blitz, which has gained notoriety in a not-so-good way for the SMU defense. Defensemen could be heard on the ESPN telecast and in person at Ford Stadium yelling "All Out" before blitzing the Texas Tech offense.

Bennett said the blitzing scheme was effective except for one play. That play resulted in a 49-yard touchdown pass to Tech receiver Danny Amendola. He said the blitz would remain in the SMU playbook because the defense can line up in different formations.

GreenAlums · September 5, 2007

http://media.www.smudailycampus.com/media/...s-2950257.shtml
Bennett Readies For North Texas

One thing Bennett isn't budging on is the "All Out" blitz, which has gained notoriety in a not-so-good way for the SMU defense. Defensemen could be heard on the ESPN telecast and in person at Ford Stadium yelling "All Out" before blitzing the Texas Tech offense.
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Opinions please....can we handle the blitz? From what I saw at OU we weren't all that bad!

Quoner · September 5, 2007

Opinions please....can we handle the blitz? From what I saw at OU we weren't all that bad!

Maybe, maybe not - but with a 15 second audible heads up we should have a pretty good chance.

I bet Bennett has a master plan in place. To yell all out and then not blitz us. It is pure genius. Just like his "to catch a predator" mustache.

UNT v. SMU - free mustache, er pony rides for everyone!

Legend500 · September 5, 2007

The "all out" blitz really doesn't work too well against a spread offense. if NT's line can hold for a five-step drop ( I think they can) the coverage opens up in the middle. Personally, I think Bennett is suicidal to use it against the spread, where manning-up and sending someone off-tackle would be far more effective.

Bennett's probably not very long for the world. If NT's defense comes out with something different than it showed in the OU game (I'm certain that Dodge and Mendoza were hiding something, if not everything)...it could be quite ugly.

Coach · September 5, 2007

Bennett's probably not very long for the world.

Is that a threat?

untStein · September 5, 2007

If there is one thing that encouraged me it was the pass blocking. That makes me pretty confident in our offense considering OU's front 7 is probably a little stronger than SMU's.

Smitty · September 5, 2007

The "all out" blitz really doesn't work too well against a spread offense.

The ALL OUT blitz doesn't work too well against ANY offense when your players are screaming that they're about to run it three seconds before the snap. Nice poker faces, Ponies.

Eagle1855 · September 5, 2007

Bennett's probably not very long for the world. If NT's defense comes out with something different than it showed in the OU game (I'm certain that Dodge and Mendoza were hiding something, if not everything)...it could be quite ugly.

What makes you say that?

pollock · September 5, 2007

What makes you say that?

Wishful thinking.

CaribbeanGreen · September 5, 2007

I distinctly remember them getting burned on the "all out" thing a second time, I believe on a short TD pass in the second quarter or something.... that's still one of the dumbest things I've ever seen in a football game.

Next thing you know, SMU will snap the ball out of the back of the end zone with no punter on the field!! I mean, ha.. er... well... yeah.