Tag: SMU Mustangs

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal host Wake Forest Wednesday night at Maples Pavilion

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Stanford Cardinal Oziyah Sellers (4) led Stanford in scoring against the SMU Mustangs on Sat Feb 1, 2025 in Dallas (Stanford-Rival photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Michael, talk about that tough loss for the Stanford (15-7) last game to the SMU Mustangs (17-5) 85-61 in a game that was not even a contest last Sat Feb 1st.

#2 For the Mustangs four players in double digits SMU center Samet Yigitoglu led with 17 points and was a challenge for the Cardinal to keep him contained.

#3 Stanford guard Oziyah Sellers led with 19 points and the way he was shooting he was able to read the Mustangs defense but it wasn’t enough to get the Cardinal back from a 24 point deficit.

#4 Following up Sellers was Stanford number two shooter forward Maxime Raynaud who finished second in scoring with 18 points. Despite the loss Raynaud has been lights out all season.

#5 The Cardinal try it all over again against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons Wednesday night at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto for an 8:00pm PST tip. Wake Forest is fifth in the ACC at 16-6 and have won three of their last seven games.

Michael Roberson does the Stanford Carinal podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Mustang Must: Cal Women rebound with 81-66 win at SMU

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Cal Bears forward Marta Suarez led with 19 points against the SMU Mustangs in Dallas on Sun Jan 5, 2025 (Cal Bears photo)

By Morris Phillips

There’s nothing like weekend travel in the ACC. The Golden Bears know that after experiencing 48 hours of idled frustration following an unanticipated loss at Clemson. In this case, a rough Friday and Saturday prior to a triumphant Sunday afternoon at SMU in Dallas.

It wasn’t easy excursion, but it was productive.

The Bears relied on great shooting, including 10 made threes to get past Clemson. Five of those threes fell in the third quarter when Cal extended a four-point halftime lead to 64-51 after three quarters. Marta Suarez was the most aggressive shooter with 19 points on 9 of 12 from the floor.

“That’s a really good team,” SMU coach Toyelle Wilson said of Cal. “They’re Top 20 for a reason. They can shoot the ball, they can get downhill. They’re physical. Charmin has done a great job with that program. 

“But it wasn’t our day, and the girls know: we’re going to have to take some bumps and bruises to get through this ACC conference. Today was a good day for us to learn a lot.”

Cal returned to physical play with 40 rebounds and a healthy edge on the glass, along with 36 points in the paint. The referees weren’t all plussed, and they assessed fouls to Michelle Onyiah and Suarez that limited both players’ minutes.

Kayla Williams impressed legendary North Carolina All-American point guard Ivory Latta, who said, “she’s so poised. She really controls that offense.”

Williams killed with efficiency. She had 17 points, seven assists, and five assists. The visitors followed Williams’ lead: after squandering a pair of second quarter leads, the Bears led the entire second half, briefly by as many as 19 points.

Nya Robertson led the Mustangs with 22 points, but she needed 20 shots to get there. Chantae Embry had 12 points, and Ella Brow added 10.

The Bears (14-2, 3-1) return to Berkeley on Thursday to meet ranked opponent North Carolina State at Haas Pavilion.

ACC Weekly: Smith, Jennings and Lashlee Are SMU’s Horse-Powered Engine

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By Morris Phillips

Coach Rhett Lashlee knew what Brashard Smith could do running and catching passes. Lashlee recruited Smith out of high school and saw his versatility and big play potential.

With Smith in the transfer portal after three, mostly inactive seasons with the Miami Hurricanes, Lashlee didn’t have a spot or a need for a slot receiver. So, for two weeks, the portal became a confusing place for Smith and his services.

Then Lashlee got creative. Call it coach’s intuition… and ingenuity.

“Man, he’s just too explosive of a talent. Let’s see if he can play running back,’” Lashlee said.

Smith, more concerned about being around coaches he could trust than positional fit, said yes to being a Power 4 running back without any experience.

And guess what? The gamble paid off.

Smith has 1,089 yards rushing, 209 yards receiving, and 15 touchdowns while playing in all 11 games this season. The Mustangs coaching staff has managed the undersized Smith beautifully, limiting him to fewer than 20 carries in all but one game in regulation, and four or fewer pass receptions.

Not only has Smith been productive and available, but he’s fumbled just twice despite running with a bruising, physical style that no one, even himself, knew he had. A notion that turns a flyer into an All-ACC skill position player is transformative. For SMU, it’s meant going from an ACC also-ran to a national title contender.

“He just runs with that downhill mentality for a smaller back, can definitely get on the edge, and can really catch the football,” Lashlee said.

Kevin Jennings had two scholarship offers initially, none from a Power 5 school and one from Missouri State, which he nearly accepted. The high school quarterback from Dallas South Oak Cliff, which produced Dennis Rodman, was drawing attention, but for his part in an ensemble cast that would go on to capture the 5A State title in 2021, the first time in 63 years the title had gone to a school from Dallas.

Jennings’ teammates drew more attention than he did from college recruiters, but his play led the Golden Bears to the title. Lashlee came to recruit Jennings’ teammates Jaxson Lavender and Jayden Lawton but left wanting Jennings.

“You couldn’t miss him, just like I think that people that are starting to watch him play now in college, if they do watch him, they go, ‘Woah,'” Lashlee said.

Coming into 2024, Jennings’ sophomore year at SMU, he was still trailing on the depth chart behind starter Preston Stone. But Lashlee committed to playing both quarterbacks, and Jennings eventually won out and hasn’t lost a game in the starting role. SMU sits at 10-1, entering their regular season finale against Cal with a spot in the ACC Championship game already secure.

Jennings has impressed with his ability to extend off-schedule plays using his legs to escape and his arm to deliver the ball. Smith’s provided the perfect compliment with his explosive running. And Lashlee, just 42, as the architect of both players’ development, earned a well-deserved extension that keeps him at SMU through 2030.

Lashlee got his coaching start as an assistant under Auburn’s Gus Malzahn. He replaced Sonny Dykes at SMU in 2022 after Dykes left for TCU.

Cal Bears football podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal set to face the mighty SMU Mustangs in Dallas Saturday

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Cal Bears linebacker Jackson Simon (8) celebrates scoring on a fumble return against the Stanford Cardinal at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Sat Nov 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears football podcast with Morris:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal dropped their last game for their eighth loss of 2024. The Cardinal got off to a great start against the Cal Bears in Berkeley in the battle for the axe with two touchdowns in the first quarter taking a 14-0 lead on two touchdowns passes from Cardinal quarterback Justin Lamson.

#2 Cal would score the only points in the second quarter when Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw to Trond Grizzell for 16 yards cutting Stanford’s lead 14-7.

#3 Stanford in the third quarter would pull away with a touchdown pass from running back Micah Ford to wide receiver Emmett Mosely. Stanford took a 21-10 lead going into the third quarter.

#4 Cal scored a couple of touchdowns in the fourth quarter at 10:09 Mendoza threw a 30 yard pass to wide receiver Jonathan Brady and at 2:40 Mendoza once again hit his favorite target Brady for a 22 yard touchdown as Cal comes back for a 24-21 win.

#5 Cal concludes it’s regular season against the SMU Mustangs at Gerald J Ford Stadium in Dallas this Sat Nov 30th with a 12:30pm PST kickoff. The Mustangs are having a season they are 10-1 and are on a eight game winning streak. How do you see this match up this Saturday at SMU.

Morris Phillips podcasts Cal Bears football Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

ACC Weekly: Can Pitt or SMU Define Themselves?

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By Morris Phillips

Pat Narduzzi’s Pitt Panthers haven’t really beaten anyone of substance. Rhett Lashlee’s SMU Mustangs have impressive results, but admittedly, they can’t say they’ve played clean football.

Who are these two ACC teams currently at the top of the heap of the expanded conference with their biggest challenges still ahead of them?

Honestly, they don’t know themselves. But the process of gaining their unique identities starts on Saturday night in Dallas when they meet with a share of first-place in November on the line.

“Pretty much what we saw: we played pretty good football minus six turnovers and a goal line stand, which makes it really bad football,” Lashlee admitted in recounting the Mustangs’ thrilling escape act at Duke, a 28-27 win in overtime in their previous game.

SMU built a 21-7 third quarter lead only to see the host Blue Devils tie it and force overtime with touchdowns on their last third quarter possession and the first fourth quarter possession. Throughout SMU and quarterback Kevin Jennings suffered self-inflicted wounds with three interceptions and three fumbles while not forcing any Duke turnovers. The 6-0 disparity in miscues was unusual, even more so when SMU held on in overtime. It marked the first time since Marshall’s 2011 win over Memphis that a team had overcome that severe of a turnover deficit.

“We’ve never had a game like that, I’ve never had a game like that. It’s kind of like a twilight zone scenario.”

Narduzzi’s Panthers weren’t considered to be an ACC title contender by the media, not even close. Picked 13th (while 1-7 Florida State was picked 1st), they’ve beaten North Carolina, Syracuse, and Cal, none of whom created much buzz in the poll either. The veteran coach, who’s known for his gruff manner and pushing his players’ buttons, likely spiced up pre-season practices with references to his team’s lacking reputation. Narrow, non-conference wins over Cincinnati and West Virginia didn’t get people talking either. Destroying Syracuse 41-13 last Thursday did, but the highlights were littered with the Orange making damaging mistakes.

Now Pitt’s 7-0 for the first time since 1982, and SMU is much more talented than anyone they’ve played to date. A big road win would bring validation, but it may take some tweaking of Pitt’s mentality. Narduzzi admitted as much.

“I want our guys to play angry. I want them to play with an attitude and a chip on  their shoulder all the time,” Narduzzi said. “We’ll find different ways to piss them off, get them angry, and feel disrespected.”

Neither team can write their ticket to the ACC Championship game with a win Saturday as Clemson and Miami are also undefeated in conference play. For SMU, whose only loss is to BYU, the path would get clearer as they finish against Boston College, Virginia and Cal, all of whom they will be favored against. Pitt’s backloaded schedule still has them hosting Virginia and Clemson, with visits to Louisville and Boston College.

One thing’s certain: the SMU-Pitt loser faces the uphill climb everyone expected them to face before the season started.

“Our motto for the year is ‘prove it,'” Narduzzi said. “Just find a way to get it done, and improve who you are week in and week out. Because nobody cares what happened in the first seven games of the season.”

Eli Holstein, Pitt’s prolific passer who transferred from Alabama, has thrown for 1,805 yards and 17 touchdowns. He didn’t finish the Syracuse game after suffering an undisclosed injury, but he’s been cleared medically and is expected to start against SMU. Kevin Jennings, the Mustangs’ signal caller was questionable as well, but he’s expected to start and contend with a Pitt defense that’s been excellent, and opportunistic.

SMU might have the best playmaker in running back Brashard Smith, who hits the hole with force while being a factor in the pass game. Smith has 10 touchdowns, and has steadily been trusted to handle the football more and more. Last week against Duke he had a season-high 26 carries for 117 yards and three receptions for another 22 yards.

HOKIES SEEK FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN AT SYRACUSE:

Bhayshul Tuten is performing like the barometer for Virginia Tech as one of the ACC’s best backs who has been even better in the Hokies’ current, three-game win streak. Tuten rushed for 80 yards on 17 carries last week as the Hokies drubbed Georgia Tech at home, 21-6.

Prior to that Tuten hit his career-best with 266 yards rushing in a win over Boston College. It was the fifth time the senior has eclipsed 100 yards on the ground, including all four of his home games.

Suddenly, Virginia Tech is 5-3 and 3-1 in the ACC, giving them hope that a miraculous finish to the season could propel them into the ACC Championship game. But first, they must deal with a difficult environment at Syracuse’s JMA Dome and their quarterback Kyle McCord, who’s been better more often than not, although he did struggle in the Orange’s 41-13 loss at Pitt.

Meanwhile, Tuten suffered an injury against Tech last week, and he’s looking for clearance to play on Saturday. Coach Brent Pry was non-committal but was hopeful that he’ll have his offensive leader on Saturday.

“He’s tough. If he has an opportunity to play he will,” Pry said of Tuten.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford needs to step up their defense against Wake Forest in their efforts get in win column

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Stanford Cardinal safety Mitch Leigber (left) is congratulated by teammate cornerback Cam Richardson (right) after intercepting a SMU Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings pass at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Oct 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The SMU Mustangs bulldozed the Stanford Cardinal last Saturday 40-10. Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings threw three touchdown passes and the Cardinal defense simply couldn’t stop Jennings and the Mustangs.

#2 The win puts the Mustangs at 6-1 and the win over Stanford is their eight straight road win. SMU scored three touchdowns in the first quarter to get things started.

#3 The Cardinal have dropped to 2-5 and continue to have a winless conference record at home through Cardinal head coach Troy Taylor’s first two years at head coach.

#4 The Cardinal have now lost 11 straight home games and 16 games against ranked teams. The last time Stanford won a home game was against the No.3 Oregon Ducks 31-24 back on Oct 2, 2021.

#5 Stanford faces Wake Forest who are 3-4 and have lost three of their last five games and they just got by UConn in their last game Saturday by a field goal 23-20. Stanford comes in on a four game losing streak with the home field advantage this Saturday. Michael how do you see this match up between Wake Forest and Stanford and can the Cardinal stop the bleeding?

Join Michael Roberson for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cardinal Stampeded by Mustangs 40-10 on an Early Saturday Evening on the Farm

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Stanford Cardinal quarterback Elijah Brown (2) looks to pass against the SMU Mustangs in the first half at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Oct 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanfords Cardinal (2-5, 1-3 ACC) had no resistance for the Southern Methodist University Mustangs (6-1, 3-0 ACC), as they ran free all over the Bay Area stadium and campus, 40-10, in front of a crowd of just under 20,000 fans.

SMU wasted no time with their onslaught of the Cardinal, with an immediate TD pass for 87 yards and a quick 7-0 lead. Redshirt sophomore QB Kevin Jennings hit senior receiver Moochie Dixon for the first play of the contest scoring effort. The Mustangs were not finished scoring in the initial quarter.

Nearly 10 minutes later, SMU mounted another scoring drive via the air. Jennings tossed his second TD pass to senior WR Key ‘Shawn Smith for a 45-yard TD. Less than three minutes later, Jennings throws his third touchdown (38) pass of the quarter, this time with elusive grace and maneuverability.

After escaping the rush, he connected with junior tight end R.J. Maryland. With less than two minutes left in stanza one, SMU led 21-0. The quarter ended with the same score; however both teams committed crucial penalties to end the first 15-minute black of the ACC battle.

The second quarter started ominously for the Cardinal. Freshman QB Elijah Brown threw an interception. Fortunately for them , the Mustangs did not capitalize o the miscue. A few minutes later, Stanford forced a fumble on their punt, they recovered the ball on SMU’s 46 yard line. Nothing resulted from that opportunity, but they had another chance less than two minutes later.

The hot-armed Kevin Jennings threw an egregious interception on his own 14-yard line. Stanford parlayed that into an eventual touchdown, and got off of the proverbial goose egg and brought the score to a respectable 21-7. Brown threw an 18-yard pass to redshirt sophomore WR Elic Ayomanor to put them on the scoreboard.

The problem was, the Mustangs were not finished scoring before recess. They actually added 10 more points to their tally before the midway point of the game. Redshirt junior running back L.J. Johnson Jr. scampered five yards to paydirt, increasing their lead to 28-7. At the halftime whistle junior kicker Collin Rogers booted a 51-yard FG. At the half, SMU led 31-7.

Mustangs’ QB Kevin Jennings had an impressive 30 minutes of play: 244 passing yards, 3 TDs & an INT. Elijah Brown threw for 45 yards, with a TD and INT.

In the second half, Stanford’s first drive stalled and they had to punt. Fortunately for them, SMU fumbled again on a punt return. Stanford was able to take advantage of the error and get points out of the turnover. Senior kicker Emmet Kenney converted a 42-yarder to bring the team within three touchdowns, 31-10. The score stayed the same after 45 minutes of regulation, but Stafford sacked Jennings right at the end of quarter number three.

The Dallas Area Equines had an interesting start to the fourth quarter. They missed a field goal attempt and intercepted a pass within the first minute of the final quarter. Less than three minutes later, they had Stanford penned down on their own goalline, and the inevitable happened. Elijah Brown was sacked in the endzone for a safety. Two more points on the docket for the Mustangs, and they led 33-10 with nearly 12 minutes left in the game.

For good measure and to have a nice round number on the scoreboard, the visitors from Texas added another touchdown to their already impressive total. 40-10, with 5:03 left in the game, on a 2-yard plunge by L.J. Johnson, for his second rushing TD.

The only suspense left after that last score was how long will it take for the scoreboard to reach triple-zeros? After 60 minutes, SMU 40, Stanford 10.Elic Ayomanor caught 4 passes for 55 yards and a TD.

SMU’s Kevin Jennings was 17-27, 3 TD’s & INT, while LJ Johnson Jr. rushed for 45 yards and scored 2 TDs.

Stanford is next in action Saturday, October 26. They will host Wake Forest at 12:30pm PDT on the ACC Network. SMU heads to North Carolina to take on Duke, also on Saturday, October 26, at 5:00pm EST on the ACC Network

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal face potent SMU on the Farm Saturday

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The Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Emmett Mosely V (right) takes the ball on the run against Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Kyngstonn Vilamu-Asa (27) at Notre Dame Stadium on Sat Oct 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 When Stanford battled the Notre Dame Fighting Irish they had a hard time containing Irish quarterback Riley Leonard who threw three touchdowns and rushed for a touchdown as No.11 Notre Dame crushed Stanford 49-7.

#2 Leonard also went 16-22 for 229 yards, rushing six times for 31 yards and a touchdown.

#3 The game was delayed an hour due to lightning in the area and Leonard was replaced by back up quarterback Steven Angeli who was 2-5 for 19 yards. Leonard did most of the damage under center for Notre Dame.

#4 The Fighting Irish shutdown offense with eight tackles, four sacks and recovered a fumble. Those turnovers hurt the Cardinal most and Notre Dame were just running away with the game.

#5 It doesn’t get any easier as Stanford face the SMU Mustangs who are 5-1. The Mustangs have won three straight games and defeated the Louisville Cardinals last Saturday 34-27. The Mustangs have an offense they landslided TCU on Sep 21st 66-42. Michael how do you see this match with SMU and Stanford this Saturday on the Farm.

Join Michael Roberson for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com