Football practice report: Jonathan Yenga interview

[Harry]

"We know UNT likes to run the ball so what we've been doing in practicing today is getting off blocks and reading our keys and making plays when it comes to run," Yenga said. "Coach (Tom) Mason is telling us to play physical, practice physical. We can't let them beat us off the ball."

Last week Stephon Sanders told PonyPride that he thought this year's SMU linebackers were the deepest he had seen while on the Hilltop. Yenga agreed with that sentiment.

Read more: https://smu.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1677081

[cogido]

I do believe the UNT offensive line is going to be killer-crazy this Saturday. I don't envy the smu D-line prospects.

[SSP]

I hope that all of what he said is true.

"We came ready to play on defense. We knew they were physical. We knew they ran a bunch of play-action plays. We practiced hard that week," Yenga said. "We hustled to the ball, we made big plays on certain calls. We just came short a little bit. Looking at the film against Baylor there were some positives but we made some mental mistakes so we need to get better at that."

He said they came up short a little bit... ? I had to check the article date.

He cray.

Edited September 3, 2014 by SSP

[malonish]

Give Baylor an inch, they take 40 yards.

[The Fake Lonnie Finch]

Here is what I see about SMU:

They are running that 3-4 that sometimes morphs into a 5-2. The linemen aren't big. They are not near as big as our OLs.

These types of defenses, they thrive on linebacker play. Only one returning LB was a regular starter last season, senior Stephon Sanders. Part-time starter from 2013, Yenga goes only 209, according to their roster. The outside LBs are new starters for 2014.

My opinion is that this bodes well for the University of North Texas squad. Baylor had their way with SMU's LBs. Granted, Baylor finally got its donors to pony up T. Boone Pickens money after sucking off the Big 12 teat for years to no avail, so it has better players now than we do. However, SMU's relative success with June Jones hasn't made them the go-to destination for defensive blue chips.

I believe SMU can be had on the ground. I believe that as much in my heart as I believe that Louisiana is The Pelican State. It says so right as you cross the state line and are looking to stop at that first state stop area and pee.

Therefore, outside of the visitors' locker room on Saturday, there should be a sign saying, "You can be had on the ground, SMU."

If we can't beat up this group with our experienced offensive line, I will fold up my tent until 2015 and take my chip bag with me, along with a tasty variety of sauces and dips.

Nil sine labore.