Southern Methodist coach Phil Bennett could deal with a quarterback, Kelan Luker, giving up football for the allure of rock 'n' roll. But David Page, whom Bennett had hoped to build around in his first season at the Mustangs helm, bolted SMU for a glorious existence as an accountant. Yes, it doesn't quite add up. PREVIEW OF HAWAII OPPONENTS
Mustangs having trouble
Warriors strengthening the mind
counting on a quarterback
Fourth of 13 partsBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comBut that's how life has been at SMU for quite some time now, home of a storied program filled with tradition that hasn't been the same since receiving the NCAA death penalty and not having football in 1987 and 1988. Some would say they haven't had football since.
Last year the Mustangs were 4-4 in the Western Athletic Conference, but only 4-7 overall. When SMU comes to Aloha Stadium on Sept. 28, it will be with memories of its 31-28 overtime loss to Hawaii last year. It was the start of everything for the Warriors, the shot of confidence that began a five-game winning streak behind backup quarterback Nick Rolovich.
Bennett wasn't around for that. He was in charge of Kansas State's nationally prominent defense the last three years. The Wildcats allowed 262.4 yards per game last season, third in the nation. By comparison, SMU yielded 310.1 yards per outing in 2001 -- not bad for the WAC, where offense rules on Saturday nights.
But Bennett said there's a problem.
"We're returning the WAC's No. 1 defense. But there's a little asterisk by that that disturbs me. We had five fumble recoveries, the lowest in the NCAA. We had 30 giveaways and 19 takeaways. Ray Charles, anyone can see that's not a good combination," Bennett said. "Stripping the ball and intercepting the ball are learned skills. We're going to take it as a personal challenge to triple our numbers."
The Mustangs have some quality personnel to work with.
Senior middle linebacker Vic Viloria (5-foot-11, 235) is one of the best in the conference. He was fourth in the conference with 110 tackles.
"I'm still close with Dat Nguyen," Bennett said of the All-America linebacker he coached at Texas A&M. "We were watching tape of Vic, and Dat said, 'He's a good player.' I said, 'Yeah, he reminds me of you.' He doesn't waste steps."
Up front, senior tackles Warrie Birdwell (6-4, 280) and Lute Croy (6-2, 292) are back after combining for 98 tackles, including 11 for loss and 5 1/2 sacks.
SMU also has two of the WAC's top cornerbacks in junior Jonas Rutledge (6-feet, 188 pounds) and senior Kevin Garrett (5-10, 196). Each picked off a pass against Hawaii last year, and Rutledge's 92-yard kickoff return for a TD sent the game into overtime.
"They have some technique issues, but they are very good players," said Bennett, who also coached DBs at Kansas State. "Two good corners in this league makes success much more likely."
Sophomore tailback ShanDerrick Charles (5-9, 180), senior wide receiver Chris Cunningham (5-8, 180) and senior tight end John Hampton (6-3, 249) are expected to be the primary playmakers on offense.
Charles broke Craig James' school freshman rushing record with 860 yards on 134 carries last year. He found the end zone seven times. Cunningham was the top receiver last fall with 45 catches for 516 yards and seven TDs. Hampton grabbed 35 passes for 459 yards and one score.
Without Luker and Page (who started all 11 games between them in 2001), redshirt freshman Tate Wallis (6-3, 216) gets thrown into the fray. He had a fine spring after being moved back to his high school position from tight end. Wallis led Ennis High School to the state class 4A championship two years ago.
He'll need all the help he can get from the offensive line, which features four players with starting experience: senior center Thornton Chandler (6-3, 277), senior tackle Judson Davis (6-5, 300), junior tackle Sterling Harris (6-6, 300) and junior center Steve Reindl (6-3, 278).
Bennett said the Mustangs' offense will be more exciting.
Still, with the new coach's pedigree, they'll be expecting big defense this fall in Big D. Will SMU blitz as much as Kansas State? Bennett's not saying, yet.
"When you blitz, somebody's band is going to play," he said. "And you'd better make sure it's yours."
All-time record: 416-407-54
Southern Methodist
Against Hawaii: 1-3
Now you know: Well-traveled Phil Bennett is finally a head coach at SMU after stops as an assistant at Texas A&M (twice), Iowa State, Purdue, Louisiana State, Oklahoma, Texas Christian and Kansas State. ... Bennett is the single father of Sam, 14, and Maddie, 11. His wife, Nancy, died when she was struck by lightning in 1999.
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