Inside The Mustangs

Nailing Keys Allows SMU to Avoid Signature UNT 2nd Half Comeback

Running game dominates as Mustangs extend winning streak over Mean Green to five games

Kent Smith

(Kent Smith / AH Images)
In this story:

DALLAS – Throughout the week, it became apparent there were a few specific keys Rhett Lashlee's SMU Mustangs would have to meet if their run toward an AAC championship was to continue. 

As Friday night ticked into early Saturday morning, the Ponies came away with a 45-21 win made to look closer by a late UNT touchdown. So, clearly things went right, but how much of that success came from meeting each key?

With star quarterback Preston Stone in concussion protocol, the hope was freshman back-up Kevin Jennings could replicate his recent success on the field. In support, the Mustangs needed a huge performance from their deep stable of running backs.

SMU also needed to avoid the Mean Green's trademark second half surge that has kept them in games no matter how far down they got in the first half. This would require keeping explosive wide receiver Ja'Mori Maclin and running back Ayo Adeyi in check.

Have Kevin Jennings pull off a Preston Stone type game

This one was easy. Stone got cleared late after not practicing all week. Lashlee chose to roll with his starter anyway and it paid off. A banged up offensive line kept him from taking many direct hits while Stone showed no signs of lingering effects of the concussion in his play. He finished an efficient 11-of-20 for 234 yards and two touchdowns and could have easily gone over 300 had it not been for a pair of drops on potentially huge pass plays.

Slow down Maclin, holding him to one touchdown or less

This one looked like it would be the most difficult to accomplish as Maclin is a non-stop highlight reel. At the end of the first quarter, it felt almost impossible. On the final play, quarterback Chandler Rogers dropped back with no pressure. He then floated out to his right to allow Maclin even more time to drift behind the SMU defense before unloading a 54-yard pass to his receiver between a pair of defensive backs. 

The only thing that prevented the touchdown was Maclin had to break stride and come back for the ball, allowing the SMU defense to recover. It turns out, they recovered for the entire three remaining quarters because the dangerous deep threat didn't have another catch all game, finishing with two receptions for 59 yards and no touchdowns. 

It was Maclin's lowest reception total of the season, tying his performance against Ablilene Christian back in September, although he had 110 yards and a touchdown in that game. It was also his second lowest total yards of the season, falling behind only a six catch, 45 yard, two touchdown game against Memphis a couple of weeks ago and a four catch, 51 yards, one touchdown showing against Louisiana Tech. It's only the second time all season Maclin has been held without a touchdown.

Keep running back Adeyi in check

In games where Adeyi has carried the ball at least 10 times, he was a perfect 5-for-5 coming into the game in going over 100 yards. He also averaged 7.7 yards per carry. However, SMU managed to snuff out the magic. Adeyi carried 11 times, but only mustered 48 yards for a 4.4 yards per carry average. 

Don't let Rogers get hot in the second half and lead a typical huge second half run

UNT put up 28 in the second half against Tulane and 32 against Memphis in back-to-back weeks. The Mean Green also put up 16 in the fourth quarter against UTSA to make all three games tight at the end. 

However, the SMU defense pitched a shutout for most of the second half, harassing Rogers at every turn and tightening up the run defense. The shutout would have held, but, in garbage time, with the game well out of reach at 45-14 in the final two minutes, the referees swallowed their whistles in hopes of getting home before sunrise. 

That allowed Rogers to hit Blair Conwright on a 29-yard touchdown that had the SMU radio crew beside itself, angry that numerous holds were ignored, leading to an end of the second half perfection on defense. To be fair, multiple blatant pass interference calls were ignored on both sides of the ball also throughout the game.

Get the running game going

It's not surprising to see a team lean on its running game whether there's a back-up at quarterback or a starter fresh out of concussion protocol. However, it became clear early on just how much time went into preparing for a heavy dose of the run game. Eight of the 10 plays on SMU's second scoring drive were runs. 

By game's end, SMU had two 100-yard rushers and a third back over 50 yards. Jaylan Knighton led all rushers with 129 yards on 17 carries. LJ Johnson had 101 yards on 20 carries and Camar Wheaton carried seven times for 51. All three posted a touchdown as they took turns scoring on each of the last three full drives.

Oddly enough, Tyler Lavine got the scoring started for the Mustangs on the ground with a 5-yard run early in the third. On the last five drives, the only time SMU didn't score was when the Mustangs opted to try to throw for it in the red zone instead of trying to run it in from four yards out, turning it over on downs.

Scoreboard Watching

SMU controls its own destiny as far as making the AAC championship game. However, that doesn't mean fans won't be watching scoreboards Saturday looking for a little cushion in the standings.

Tulane, SMU and UTSA sit atop the AAC standings with a one-loss Memphis still hanging around as a possible spoiler. Tulane and UTSA play each other to close the season, so that theoretically eliminates one contender right away. 

Meanwhile, Memphis plays at Charlotte this weekend. A loss there would put them out of contention, but if the Tigers can handle the 49ers, it sets up a de facto elimination game between the Mustangs and Tigers in Memphis next Saturday.

Published
Kent Smith
KENT SMITH

Home/Football