SMU Quarterback Preston Stone Carted Off Field Against Navy

Apparent leg injury will prove problem down road, but not in first half blowout

DALLAS — The problem SMU has when quarterback Preston Stone left the field on a cart in the second quarter is not finishing the game against Navy. This one will be the AAC title game next week against Tulane. It didn't look good.

Stone was clearly audible with the pain and immediately grabbed his leg as the medical staff arrived. He removed his own helmet and was carried off the field moments later, being consoled at one point by coach Rhett Lashlee.

SMU coach Rhett Lashlee with quarterback Preston Stone leaving game with Navy on a cart after injury :: (Michael Morrison / allPONIES Images)

None of this will make much difference in the outcome of what is going to be a Pony breakaway against the over-matched Midshipmen. It was clearly out of hand when Stone was injured in the second quarter and, obviously, no reason for him to come back in the game.

The senior from Paris Episcopal wasn't going to play the second half with the game already well in hand and Lashlee was probably fine-tuning some things to win a conference championship next week.

Stone was 14-of-19 passing for 322 yards with three touchdowns. Navy simply wasn't able to do anything to slow down whatever the Mustangs wanted to do in the game as they opened a 52-14 lead at halftime.

The Ponies are now set to face Tulane next week in the AAC Championship game in New Orleans. This was the final conference game before moving up to the ACC next season with a 10-2 regular-season record.