2019 SMU Mustangs football team

2019 SMU Mustangs football
Boca Raton Bowl, L 28–52 vs. Florida Atlantic
Conference	American Athletic Conference
Division	West Division
Record	10–3 (6–2 The American)
Head coach	Sonny Dykes (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator	Rhett Lashlee (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Kevin Kane (2nd season)
Base defense	3–4
Home stadium	Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Uniform
Seasons ← 2018 2020 →

2019 American Athletic Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
East Division
No. 21 Cincinnati xy		7	–	1					11	–	3
No. 24 UCF		6	–	2					10	–	3
Temple		5	–	3					8	–	5
South Florida		2	–	6					4	–	8
East Carolina		1	–	7					4	–	8
UConn		0	–	8					2	–	10
West Division
No. 17 Memphis xy$		7	–	1					12	–	2
No. 20 Navy x		7	–	1					11	–	2
SMU		6	–	2					10	–	3
Tulane		3	–	5					7	–	6
Houston		2	–	6					4	–	8
Tulsa		2	–	6					4	–	8
Championship: Memphis 29, Cincinnati 24
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

The 2019 SMU Mustangs football team represented Southern Methodist University during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Mustangs were led by second-year head coach Sonny Dykes and played their home games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in University Park, Texas, a separate city within the city limits of Dallas. They competed as members of the West Division of the American Athletic Conference.

The Mustangs started the season 8–0, their first 8–0 start to a season since 1982. The team's non-conference schedule was capped off with a 41–38 victory over rival TCU, their first victory over the Horned Frogs since 2011. Following a 48–21 victory over the South Florida Bulls in week 5, the Mustangs entered the AP Poll at no. 24, their first poll ranking since the team received the NCAA's death penalty in February 1987.^[1] The team's first loss of the season would come on November 2 against the Memphis Tigers. The team went on to play in the Boca Raton Bowl, falling to Florida Atlantic.

References:^[2]

College recruiting information

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Ulysses Bentley IV Running Back	Houston, TX	C. E. King HS	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	-	Dec 19, 2018
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
CeTaidrian "Tai" Brooks Offensive lineman	Allen, TX	Allen HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	315 lb (143 kg)	-	Dec 19, 2018
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Cobe Bryant Offensive lineman	Auburn Hills, MI	Rochester HS Riverside CC	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	295 lb (134 kg)	-	Dec 19, 2018
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Keontae "Keke" Burns Wide receiver	Pittsburg, TX	Pittsburg HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	-	Dec 19, 2018
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Elijah Chatman Defensive tackle	Shreveport, LA	Evangel Christian Academy	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	270 lb (120 kg)	-	Dec 19, 2018
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Donald Clay Safety	New Orleans, LA	John Curtis HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	-	Dec 19, 2018
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Chace Cromartie Safety	Cibolo, TX	Steele HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	-	Dec 19, 2018
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Luke Evans Inside linebacker	Liberty, TX	Liberty HS	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)	186 lb (84 kg)	-	Feb 6, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN: N/A
Carson Garrett Kicker	Dallas, TX	Bishop Lynch HS	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)	186 lb (84 kg)	-	Feb 6, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN: N/A
Terrance Gipson Quarterback	Houston, TX	Westfield HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	-	Dec 19, 2018
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Danielson Ike Offensive guard	Kansas City, MO	Rockhurst HS	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	320 lb (150 kg)	-	Feb 6, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
T. J. McDaniel Running back	Southlake, TX	Carroll HS	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	187 lb (85 kg)	-	Feb 6, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Henry Mossberg Offensive guard	Southlake, TX	Carroll HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	260 lb (120 kg)	-	Feb 6, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Nelson Paul Defensive end	Bunnell, FL	Flagler Palm Coast HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	-	Dec 19, 2018
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Rashee Rice Wide receiver	North Richland Hills, TX	Richland HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	-	Dec 19, 2018
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Roderick Roberson Jr. Safety	Royse City, TX	Royse City HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	-	Dec 19, 2018
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Parker Stone Wide receiver	Dallas, TX	Parish Episcopal	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	-	Feb 6, 2019
	Star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Warren Walls Defensive end	Dallas, TX	Bishop Lynch HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	-	Dec 19, 2018
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Sam Westfall Cornerback	Saint George, UT	Dixie HS Mesa CC	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	-	Dec 19, 2020
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Calvin Wiggins Wide receiver	Trophy Club, TX	Bryon Nelson HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	-	Dec 19, 2020
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:

Listed in the order that they were released

Award	Player	Position	Year
Maxwell Award	James Proche	WR	Sr
AFCA Good Words Award	Demerick Gary	DT	Sr
Biletnikoff Award	James Proche	WR	Sr
Biletnikoff Award	Reggie Roberson, Jr.	WR	Sr
Rimington Trophy	Hayden Howerton	OL	Jr
Paul Hornung Award	James Proche	WR	Sr
Wuerffel Trophy	Tyler Page	WR	Jr
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award	James Proche	WR	Sr
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award	Reggie Roberson, Jr.	WR	Sr
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award	Shane Buechele	QB	Sr

References:^{[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]}

The AAC media poll was released on July 16, 2019, with the Mustangs predicted to finish fourth in the AAC West Division.^[10]

Media poll (West)
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Memphis	165 (15)
2	Houston	162 (14)
3	Tulane	108
4	SMU	87 (1)
5	Navy	70
6	Tulsa	38

SMU placed nine players to the All-AAC team, sanctioned by Athlon Sports.^[11]

SMU's 2019 schedule will begin with four non-conference games: first on the road against Arkansas State of the Sun Belt Conference, then at home against North Texas of Conference USA, then at home against Texas State, also of the Sun Belt Conference, and finally on the road against cross-town rival TCU of the Big 12 Conference. In American Athletic Conference play, the Mustangs will play the other members of the West Division and draw East Carolina, South Florida, and Temple from the East Division. They will not play Cincinnati, Connecticut, or UCF as part of the regular season.

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	6:00 p.m.	at Arkansas State*		Centennial Bank Stadium Jonesboro, AR	ESPN+	W 37–30	22,076
September 7	6:00 p.m.	North Texas*		Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX (Safeway Bowl)	ESPN3	W 49–27	22,766
September 14	6:00 p.m.	Texas State*		Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX	ESPN3	W 47–17	17,469
September 21	2:30 p.m.	at No. 25 TCU*		Amon G. Carter Stadium Fort Worth, TX (Battle for the Iron Skillet)	FS1	W 41–38	41,250
September 28	3:00 p.m.	at South Florida		Raymond James Stadium Tampa, FL	ESPNU	W 48–21	28,850
October 5	6:30 p.m.	Tulsa	No. 24	Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX	ESPNU	W 43–37 3OT	28,142
October 19	2:30 p.m.	Temple	No. 19	Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX	ESPN2	W 45–21	23,132
October 24	6:30 p.m.	at Houston	No. 16	TDECU Stadium Houston, TX (rivalry)	ESPN	W 34–31	24,543
November 2	6:30 p.m.	at No. 24 Memphis	No. 15	Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN (College GameDay)	ABC	L 48–54	59,506
November 9	11:00 a.m.	East Carolina	No. 25	Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX	ESPNU	W 59–51	29,528
November 23	2:30 p.m.	at Navy	No. 25	Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis, MD (Gansz Trophy)	CBSSN	L 28–35	33,732
November 30	3:00 p.m.	Tulane		Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX	ESPNU	W 37–20	20,761
December 21	2:30 p.m.	at Florida Atlantic*		FAU Stadium Boca Raton, FL (Boca Raton Bowl)	ABC	L 28–52	23,187
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after November 5 released prior to game All times are in Central time

Source:^[12]

2019 SMU Mustangs football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class WR 1 C. J. Sanders  Sr RB 2 Ke'Mon Freeman Sr WR 3 James Proche (C) Sr WR 4 Tyler Page Jr RB 5 Xavier Jones Sr QB 6 Omari Ross Fr QB 7 Shane Buechele (C)  Jr WR 8 Reggie Roberson Jr. Jr QB 9 William Brown So QB 10 Terrance Gipson Fr WR 11 Rashee Rice Fr QB 12 Derek Green  Fr WR 13 Judah Bell So TE 14 Ryan Becker Sr WR 15 Calvin Wiggins Fr WR 16 Keke Burns Fr WR 17 Austin Upshaw So QB 18 Jacob Oehrlein  Fr RB 20 Cameron Rosenberger Fr RB 21 TaMerik Williams  Fr WR 22 Myron Gailliard Sr RB 25 T. J. McDaniel Fr RB 26 Ulysses Bentley IV Fr RB 30 Tyler Lavine Fr RB 31 Merek Pierce Sr WR 40 Ben Palmer Fr WR 42 Beau Barker Fr TE 44 Kedrick James Jr WR 47 Walker French Fr WR 48 Devan Reck-Irvin Fr OL 57 Cobe Bryant Jr OL 58 Patrick Jones Jr OL 59 Tai Brooks Fr OL 60 Carter Foster Fr OL 63 Charlie Flores Sr OL 64 Cameron Ervin Fr OL 65 Thomas Shelmire Fr OL 66 Sam Burns Fr OL 70 Kadarius Smith Jr OL 71 Jaylon Thomas So OL 72 Nick Dennis Sr OL 74 Braxton Webb Jr OL 75 Hayden Howerton Jr OL 77 Alan Ali So OL 78 Beau Morris Jr OL 79 Danielson Ike Fr TE 81 Ben Redding So TE 83 Kylen Granson Jr WR 84 Matt Dorrity So WR 85 Keith Jones  Fr TE 86 Tommy McIntyre Jr TE 88 Carson Welch Fr TE 99 Cody Banks Jr	Defense Pos. # Name Class CB 1 Eric Sutton Sr S 2 Patrick Nelson  Sr LB 3 Delano Robinson Jr CB 5 Ar'mani Johnson So CB 6 Sam Westfall So CB 7 Robert Hayes Jr. Sr LB 9 Shaine Hailey Jr DT 10 Demerick Gary Sr CB 11 Chevin Calloway So CB 12 Kevin Johnson Sr S 13 Roderick Roberson Jr. Fr LB 14 Richard Moore (C) Sr S 15 Treveon Johnson So S 16 Trevor Denbow Jr DB 17 Cam'ron Jones Fr S 18 Chace Cromartie Fr S 20 Collin Rock Jr S 21 Donald Clay Fr DE 22 Tyeson Neals Jr S 23 Rodney Clemons (C) Sr LB 24 Jimmy Phillips Jr. So LB 25 Myles Duke Jr DB 26 Brandon Stephens Jr S 27 Michael Salerno So CB 28 Christian Davis Sr CB 29 Justin Guy-Robinson So LB 30 Kyle Blaskovich So LB 31 Armando Fitz So LB 32 J. C. Rispress So LB 33 Jordan Ward Jr S 34 Brice Madison Jr DE 35 Delontae Scott Sr CB 36 Terry Keys III  Fr DE 38 Toby Ndukwe So DT 39 Darren Brown Fr DE 40 Noah Spears Jr LB 41 Preston Ellison So S 42 Ra-Sun Kazadi  Fr LB 43 Brian Holloway So DT 44 Harrison Loveless So LB 45 Luke Evans Fr DE 46 Garnett March II Fr S 47 Hunter Ballard Fr CB 49 Marcus Nesby Fr LB 50 Richard McBryde Sr DT 51 Pono Davis Sr LB 52 Deuce Palmer Fr LB 53 Garrett Madison Fr DE 54 Gerrit Choate Jr DE 55 Gary Wiley So LB 57 Ben Furgal Fr LB 58 Eli Furgal Fr LB 59 Will Goldberg Fr LB 60 Reid Stacy Fr DE 61 Jack Young Fr LB 62 Daniel Stecker Fr LB 67 Nick Lerew Fr DT 68 Chris Buggers Sr DL 89 Alex Sickafoose Fr DE 90 Nelson Paul Fr DT 91 Terrance Newman So DT 92 Shabazz Dotson  Fr DT 93 Elijah Chatman Fr DT 95 Will Jones Jr DT 96 Zach Abercrumbia Sr DE 97 Turner Coxe  So DT 98 Jacob Pugh Jr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K 32 Jack Hansing Jr K 44 Charles Cannon So K 46 Luke Hogan Jr P 47 Jamie Sackville Sr LS 49 Cole Voyles  Fr LS 50 Mark Fuchs Fr K, P 89 Kevin Robledo Sr K 93 Kevin Miles Jr K 94 Wills Thompson III Fr P 95 Nick Lang Fr K 96 Austin Dennis Fr P 97 Russell Roberts Fr P 99 Warren Scott  Fr	Head coach Sonny Dykes (Texas Tech) Coordinators/assistant coaches Kevin Kane (Kansas) Defensive coordinator/LB Rhett Lashlee (Texas Tech) Offensive coordinator/QB Josh Martin (Tarleton State) Special teams coordinator/TE Chris Brasfield (TCU) Recruiting coordinator/RB Kevin Curtis (Texas Tech) CB David Gru (California) Wide receivers Trey Haverty (TCU) Safeties Randall Joyner (SMU) Defensive line A. J. Ricker (Missouri) Offensive line Ra'Shaad Samples (Houston) Assistant coach Jonathan Brewer (Arkansas) Offensive quality control/Offensive analyst Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: June 24, 2020

Pregame line	Over/under
Arkansas State	–1.5

Statistics	SMU	Arkansas State
First downs	29	25
Total yards	508	414
Rushing yards	148	90
Passing yards	360	324
Turnovers	1	3
Time of possession	35:14	24:46

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU	–3.5

Statistics	North Texas	SMU
First downs	21	25
Total yards	396	503
Rushing yards	211	211
Passing yards	185	292
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	34:44	25:16

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU	–17.5

Statistics	Texas State	SMU
First downs	15	23
Total yards	241	639
Rushing yards	16	390
Passing yards	225	249
Turnovers	1	3
Time of possession	29:06	30:54

With the victory, the Mustangs improved to 3–0, their first 3–0 start since the 1984 season.^[13]

Pregame line	Over/under
TCU	–8.0

Statistics	SMU	TCU
First downs	16	23
Total yards	406	424
Rushing yards	118	236
Passing yards	288	188
Turnovers	1	3
Time of possession	29:55	30:05

The Mustangs built a 15–0 lead in the 1st quarter and never trailed in the game. SMU lead 31–17 at halftime, but the Horned Frogs rallied in the 2nd half to trail by 3 points late in the 4th. The Mustangs held on and stopped the comeback attempt, winning 41–38. This is SMU's first win over TCU since 2011.^[14]

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU	–7.5

Statistics	SMU	South Florida
First downs	31	22
Total yards	497	342
Rushing yards	245	54
Passing yards	252	288
Turnovers	2	2
Time of possession	31:48	28:12

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU	–12.0

Statistics	Tulsa	SMU
First downs	22	26
Total yards	500	437
Rushing yards	154	127
Passing yards	346	310
Turnovers	3	1
Time of possession	29:22	30:38

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU	–9.5

Statistics	Temple	SMU
First downs	14	34
Total yards	273	655
Rushing yards	69	198
Passing yards	204	457
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	25:45	34:15

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU	–12.5

Statistics	SMU	Houston
First downs	22	22
Total yards	385	514
Rushing yards	182	107
Passing yards	203	407
Turnovers	1	3
Time of possession	28:13	31:37

Pregame line	Over/under
Memphis	–6.5

Statistics	SMU	Memphis
First downs	27	26
Total yards	553	514
Rushing yards	97	164
Passing yards	456	350
Turnovers	0	0
Time of possession	27:01	32:59

Memphis hosted the Mustangs in the first-ever College GameDay appearance for the Tigers, and just the second for SMU. The Mustangs jumped out to an early lead in front of the sold-out crowd, and the two teams traded scores to reach halftime with a 17-23 score in favor of Memphis. The Tigers never trailed in the second half, although the Mustangs drew within one score on a Shane Buechele pass to James Proche and Jaylon Thomas's two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter. Memphis handed SMU its first loss of the season.

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU	–22.5

Statistics	East Carolina	SMU
First downs	27	33
Total yards	644	636
Rushing yards	146	222
Passing yards	498	414
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	31:05	28:55

Pregame line	Over/under
Navy	–3.5

Statistics	SMU	Navy
First downs	15	28
Total yards	344	540
Rushing yards	93	378
Passing yards	251	162
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	20:20	39:40

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU	–3.0

Statistics	Tulane	SMU
First downs	26	18
Total yards	465	377
Rushing yards	223	197
Passing yards	242	180
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	36:09	23:51

Pregame line	Over/under
SMU	–7.0

Statistics	SMU	Florida Atlantic
First downs	24	30
Total yards	425	521
Rushing yards	120	188
Passing yards	305	333
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	28:56	31:04

Scores against non-conference opponents

1 2 3 4 Total Opponents 17 26 34 35 112 SMU 49 39 49 37 174

Scores against the AAC

1 2 3 4 OT 2OT 3OT Total Opponents 10 43 31 28 7 0 0 119 SMU 37 47 14 76 7 0 6 187

Scores against all opponents

1 2 3 4 OT 2OT 3OT Total Opponents 27 69 65 49 7 0 0 217 SMU 86 86 63 65 7 0 6 313

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	Final
AP	—	—	—	—	RV	24	21	19	16	15	23	20	21	RV	RV	RV	RV
Coaches	—	—	—	RV	RV	RV	22	19	17	14	23	20	21	RV	RV	RV	RV
CFP	Not released										25	—	25	—	—	—	Not released

References:^[15]

Round	Pick	Player	Position	NFL club
6	201	James Proche	WR	Baltimore Ravens