When It Got Down to Crunch Time, Lashlee Turned to Stone

SMU manages to close out win over Memphis behind quarterback Preston Stone

MEMPHIS — SMU still has a shot at an AAC title. They still have some unfinished business to take care of after Thanksgiving, but quarterback Preston Stone answered the bell Saturday in a 38-34 win over Memphis.

Rhett Lashlee knew where he was going to put the ball when it got to crunch time and that was rely on the quarterback who ended up with a good day (15-of-23 for two touchdowns and 286 yards). It was doing it in the second half with some mind-numbing speed.

"We got aggressive, put it in (Stone's) hands and that's what you're going have to do to win a conference title," Lashlee said. "If we're fortunate enough to keep playing like next week even, (Stone's) going to have to make big plays in big moments. He's playing aggressive and he's valuing the football and we're just playing a really good team ball."

The Mustangs also ran the ball when they need to do it. LJ Johnson had his straight game going over 100 yards (21 for 115) to key a running attack that rolled up 158 ... primarily when they needed to do it the most.

"You see how well all our backs complement each other," Lashlee said. "Camar (Wheaton) and Jaylan (Knighton) have that explosiveness, that big-play ability you need. You've gt t have guys that if it's blocked clean can take it to the house or be explosive and make a guy miss. We always thought LJ would be a great complement to those guys. This guy who just he gets downhill he runs behind his pads downhill, he leans on people. He breaks a lot of explosive runs."

The Ponies are now 9-2 on the season and control their destiny. A win over Navy next week puts them in the AAC title game against Tulane and gives them a shot at winning 10 games for the second time in five seasons.

---

PONY EXPRESS:

DEFENSE STEPPED UP AGAINST MEMPHIS WHEN MUSTANGS NEEDED IT MOST

MAY NOT MATTER HOW MANY WINS PONIES RACK UP IN MAGICAL SEASON IF COURTS RULE AGAINST THEM

SMU FANS WILL HAVE ONE OF THEIR OWN TO CHEER AT U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS

---

Follow us on FACEBOOK
Follow us on TWITTER