SMU vs. Arkansas State

CUSA-fans.com has a new staff of team correspondents this fall to help bring you, the fan, more detailed Conference USA football coverage. Today, our SMU Correspondent, Rick Atkinson, gives you a preview of the SMU Week #4 matchup with Arkansas State University.

Arkansas State @ SMU Game Info

Date: Saturday, September 23, 2006 @ 7 p.m.

Location: Ford Stadium, Dallas, Texas (32,000)

Weather: Slight chance of thunderstorms; 86 degrees F; wind S 13.

No Television

Season Records: SMU (1-2, 0-0 CUSA), ASU (1-1, 0-0 Sun Belt), Rick Atkinson (0-3).

All-Time Series: 0-0-0

Injury Report:
SMU – RB DeMyron Martin, out; dislocated bone in right foot. RB Johnnie Fitzgerald, may play; ankle sprain. OL Darrin Johnson, questionable, arch sprain.

ASU – No report

ASU – SMU Overview

Make room in the media guide. For the second week in a row, SMU plays a team for the first time ever. After whipping Division I-AA Sam Houston State, 45-14, the Mustangs face Arkansas State, defending Sun Belt Conference champions.

"They are a physical team," said SMU Head Coach Phil Bennett Tuesday. "They play tough."

He said SMU should expect a team similar to North Texas - "gritty", "with a chip on [its] shoulder."

ASU played in The New Orleans Bowl last year, losing to Southern Miss, 31-19.

The Indians come off a bye week, after falling to Oklahoma State, 35-7. They knocked off Army, 14-6, in Week One - a squad that pushed Texas A&M to the limit Saturday.

Steve Roberts owns a 21-29 record in his fifth year at ASU. He was last season's Sunbelt Conference Coach of the Year.

Bennett's mark is 12-37 in his fifth season at SMU.

SMU Offense versus ASU Defense

Advantage: Even

SMU's offense showed plenty of spark last week with QB Justin Willis' five touchdown passes to five different receivers. Willis was 18-19 for a phenomenal 94.7 percent completion rate, best in school history.

Bennett said that's hard to do even playing catch with no defenders.

Willis finished with 248 yards and no interceptions, and rushed for another touchdown.

His efficiency rating of 177.47 for the season is second in the nation.

"He's gonna play better competition this week, without any question," Bennett said. "I'm hoping he has the same composure."

Bennett said injured starting RB Johnnie Fitzgerald might play, but James Mapps, Cedric Dorsey, and Fred Turner have to be ready. Turner had a 72-yard fourth quarter run Saturday.

WR playmakers Emmanuel Sanders and Columbus Givens each had touchdown catches against SHSU. Sanders' diving catch in the end zone was one of SMU's best in years. Tight end Ryan Kennedy, WR Reynaldo Pellerin and Dorsey also had TD catches.

SMU is averaging 300 yards total offense and 18 points per game.

ASU returns nine starters on defense, including three of four on the line. LB Josh Williams leads the team in tackles with 17.

Bennett is impressed with safety Tyrell Johnson (6-1, 197).

"He can play anywhere," Bennett said.

Johnson had one of three Indian interceptions against OSU.

Safety Khayyam Burns returned one 51 yards for a touchdown and an early 7-0 lead over OSU.

It's "even", though, until SMU shows solid offense against I-A competition.

ASU Offense versus SMU Defense

Advantage: SMU

The Indians are led by 5-9, 217 redshirt freshman RB Reggie Arnold. Arnold averages 95.5 yards per game. OSU held him to 51 yards on 18 carries.

ASU plays two quarterbacks: sophomore Travis Hewitt (6-1, 198) and redshirt freshman Corey Leonard (6-1, 190). Hewitt was 4-13 for 47 and one interception against OSU. Leonard hit 3 of 6 for 31 yards. They were sacked a total of five times.

The Indians average 253 yards total offense and 10 points per game after two outings.

For SMU last week, DE Cory Muse had an interception and a partially-blocked punt. LB Reggie Carrington collected two sacks.

SMU gave up 300+ yards to SHSU because Bennett classily pulled his starters with a 42-0 lead in the third quarter. He said he was disappointed in his backup defenders' performance, though.

LB Wilton McCray and S Randall Goode lead the Mustangs in tackles with 22 each.

Special Teams

Advantage: SMU

SMU's Jessie Henderson is a threat to take every kickoff to the house, averaging 40 yards after three returns. He's getting fewer chances as teams kick away from him.

Senior Blake Warren needs 122 yards to break Doak Walker's 57-year record for career punt return yardage (750).

Kellis Cunningham continues to boom kickoffs and Thomas Morstead, ditto with punting. If Morstead's 42.5-yard average holds up, it would be the best season average at SMU since 1986.

Morstead also had a 23-yard field goal versus SHSU on his only attempt.

For ASU, redshirt freshman placekicker Josh Arauco has yet to connect on a field goal, with one attempt and one block. Punter Brett Shrable has a 37.9-yard average. Kevin Jones averages 17.3 yards per kickoff return and 11.3 per punt return.

Intangibles

Advantage: SMU

ASU makes its first trip to Dallas. Visiting Southfork Ranch and Texas Stadium will be distracting to their preparation. (Gotta take a shot at Arkansans, right?)

Willis' confidence surely soars after last week's performance. If the O-line protects again, watch out. Talented Pony receivers will only get better if Willis keeps it up.

Over 17,000 attended SMU's home opener last Saturday. That should increase for this interesting match up, boosting Mustang morale.

Final Prediction

Willis will again get it to speedy Sanders and Givens, and Mapps will have a breakout day rushing.

Up front defensively, Muse, Justin Rogers, Brandon Bonds and Adrian Haywood will put the clamps on Arnold and hassle ASU's QBs.

SMU sets the tone for the rest of the season, 29-13.

At 2-2, it's the Mustangs' first non-losing September since 1992.