That's a Wrap

Jones Puts Mustangs Through Paces In Spring Finale

DALLAS – Saturday, SMU head coach Junes Jones closed out his first spring on the Hilltop with the annual Red-Blue scrimmage at Gerald J. Ford Stadium before nearly 3,500 fans.

Sophomore wideout Aldrick Robinson hauls in a touchdown pass during 7-on-7 drills Saturday. The speedster from Waxahachie, Tex. should see plenty of time this fall.

After canceling two practices in March due to snow, something Jones said he’d never had to do even once, Saturday’s weather was gorgeous: clear skies, light winds and temps in the 70s. (Honolulu weather, bra.)

This year’s edition was more practice than scrimmage, with about of an hour of drills preceding a 30-plus play, full-contact scrimmage. Afterward, Jones sounded pleased.

“The kids have worked real hard,” he said. “We’ve got a long way to go, but we’re gonna get it done.”

“I liked the effort. The kids are real positive. We’re gonna have a chance to do great things here at SMU.”

With last year’s starting quarterback, Justin Willis, and backup, Zach Rhodes, suspended for spring practices, redshirt freshmen Logan Turner (6-0, 179) and Daniel Miller (6-0, 186), have gained a valuable 15 days’ worth experience with Jones’ new Run and Shoot offense.

Turner, from Springtown, Tex., connected on 10 of 14 passes during the scrimmage, working mainly with the first unit. Dallas Lake Highlands product Miller hit on five of six. The Mustangs concentrated mostly on the short passing game during the scrimmage.

“Logan Turner had a good spring,” Jones said. “We put a lot of stuff in. His head is swimming.”

SMU has three more quarterbacks coming in this fall, Bo Levi Mitchell of Katy, Tex., Winston Gamso of Highland Park, Tex. and Braden Smith of Rockwall, Tex.. Smith watched from the sidelines Saturday along with scores of SMU recruits and prospects.

Highlights

During the scrimmage, running back DeMyron Martin (6-2, 234) bulled his way for a nice 19-yard run up the middle. Sophomore speedster Aldrick Robinson (5-10, 170) wowed the crowd with a couple of deep-ball catches during 7-on-7 drills.

Defensively, Derrius Bell and Rock Dennis each had an interception. Dennis is back after a shoulder injury that caused him to miss the entire ’07 season.

Venerable special teams coach Frank Gansz started the day with spirited punt team drills, emphasizing the protection of late, narrow leads - situations SMU just happened to find itself in repeatedly last season. (The Mustangs lost three overtime league games and another on the last play of regulation.)

Head Coach June Jones offers advice to sophomore receiver Josh Bryant (23) during passing drills.

“A minute-ten to go, we have a two-point lead!” Gansz bellowed over a field speaker just before snaps. “Save this game!”

(SMU has not had a dedicated special teams coach in recent years.)

Hungry

Obviously, winning is the key for SMU, Jones said. “That’s the number one thing. We’ve got to change the mindset of the team, which I think we have a good start on.”

“People here are so hungry for wins - this city and this school. When we get it going, it’s gonna be something else.”

Junior defensive tackle Chris Parham (6-3, 286) agreed. “It’s gonna be pandemonium around here,” he said, adding, it’s rewarding to see the program taking shape. “When I signed here, this is everything I that I dreamed about,” he said.

Jones, he said, has already had a positive effect on the team. “It’s a calm confidence that he has, that he brings to the practice field. Like, ‘It’s going to be OK. We’re going to win.’”

Parham also likes what defensive coordinator Tom Mason is doing. “He’s allowing us to rush the passer more. Last year, we ran a gap-control defense. This year, it’s all about getting up the field and disrupting things. I feel great about the defense.”

Sanders’ Take

Wideout Emmanuel Sanders, SMU’s leading receiver last year, said he was fine after taking a solid hit from Bell after his first catch of the scrimmage.

“He kind of caught me off guard a little bit,” Sanders said, grinning. “That was the first time I caught a ball and, actually, I forgot we were … tackling.”

Said Sanders of spring training, “I think we learned a lot, developed a lot. We have a different mindset and different attitude.”

Redshirt freshman quarterback Logan Turner (in blue) searches for a receiver Saturday. Turner completed 10 of 14 passes, working mainly with the first unit.

Sanders said Willis is working hard to get back with the team. “He’s looking better than I ever saw him look,” he said. “He’s been working out five days a week. He tells me every day he can’t wait to get back out here.”

Meanwhile, Sanders has been impressed with Turner. “I tell him every day, you’re developing into a great quarterback,” he said. “He has great touch on the ball. He has good knowledge of the game.”

The new offense is more fun and less confusing than last year’s, Sanders said. “You get open, you get to make a move on a guy and get up field. Last year, … [it was] catch the ball and get tackled almost every time.”

Sanders said he appreciates SMU’s fans. “I think that we’re gonna start doing a better job of supporting them too.” He was perhaps referring to the plan announced in a post-scrimmage huddle by receivers coach, Jeff Reinebold: Mustang players will go into the stands after home games and personally thank fans for their support.

Looking Ahead

Young players, like redshirt freshmen Bradley Haynes and Ben Goldthorpe are absorbing the new system – and the enthusiasm.

Haynes (6-3, 205), a wideout from Summit High in Mansfield, Tex. who has impressed folks this spring, is already pumped for the opener at Rice, August 29. “I know a lot of people from Houston, and Rice is a big rivalry,” he said. “We need that trophy back.”

Running back Goldthorpe (6-2, 236), from Ryan High in Denton, Tex., said Jones’ style and the wide-open competition are big plusses. “The tempo and the intensity of the practices are just ten times more exciting [than last year,]” he said. “Everybody’s going at it, trying to earn their spot on the field, because they know when fall comes around, every spot’s open.”

“It’s just there for the taking.”

That may well be the theme for this year’s SMU Mustangs.

SMU Football Notes:

• At one point Saturday, a smiling SMU president R. Gerald Turner strolled to midfield and chatted briefly with Jones as drills continued around them.

• First-team all-conference punter Thomas Morstead (6-5, 233) threw some during quarterback passing drills – only as a “fourth-string, emergency” option, he said, smiling.

• Formidable senior Andrew McKinney (6-4, 264) - now working at running back, the position he played at Decatur ( Tex.) High - jokingly told friends after the scrimmage: “[DeMyron’s] the D-Train. I’m the Slow Train.”